An EPO plan is a type of health insurance plan that offers a local network of doctors and hospitals for you to choose from. EPO plans are similar to HMO plans in that they have a specific network of providers, but they are also similar to PPO plans in that they offer more flexibility in choosing your physician and health care options. With an EPO plan, members have only in-network coverage (except for emergencies), but they do not need to select a primary care physician (PCP) or get referrals to see specialists. EPO plans contract with doctors and hospitals to provide care to the health plan’s members, and these providers are called “network providers” or “in-network providers” . EPO plan members are allowed to get health care services from doctors, hospitals, and medical providers who are inside their network, and they typically have far-reaching coverage for visits inside their network. However, EPO plan members are not covered for out-of-network doctor visits except in emergency care situations.