What is a characteristic of POS plans in managed care?

A characteristic of POS (Point of Service) plans in managed care is that they allow the use of out-of-network services at higher costs. This flexibility is a defining feature of POS plans, differentiating them from other managed care models such as HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) which typically restrict coverage to in-network providers.

In a POS plan, members can choose to receive care from outside their network, but they will generally face higher out-of-pocket expenses when doing so. This structure encourages patients to utilize in-network providers for better cost efficiency while still offering the option to seek care from out-of-network providers when necessary or desired.

This feature is essential as it gives members a degree of autonomy and choice in their healthcare decisions while still maintaining some level of cost control associated with network usage.