New to the US: HMO vs PPO and choosing a health plan

[noah_johnson]

I am relocating to the United States for work and health insurance is honestly overwhelming. 💳 Do most families here go through an employer plan or the marketplace? Any advice on choosing between HMO and PPO?

What I have learned so far

Plan type	Best for
HMO	Lower premiums, need referrals 🧭
PPO	More flexibility, higher cost 💰
HDHP	Health savings account (HSA) eligible 🏦

My questions 🙋

• Is the marketplace the only option if my employer does not offer coverage?
• How do out-of-network bills usually work in practice?
• What do you check before picking a plan during open enrollment?

Grateful for any tips from people who navigated this as newcomers! 🇺🇸

[Author]

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