Selection of a provider by a managed care plan enrollee at the time (and each time) the care is needed. The entire plan may be designed as point-of-service, or the option may be offered to enrollees, usually for a higher premium and/or copay amount. Most managed care plans require the enrollee to use only in-plan physicians and other providers, except in emergencies or when out of the service area. With POS, the provider need not be a participant with the plan; an enrollee may select in-plan or out-of-plan providers. A plan not allowing the POS option is referred to a point-of-enrollment plan.
A form of extended health-care coverage granted to members of managed-care plans who opt to pay additional premiums for medical services provided by special panels of providers.