PPO stands for "Preferred Provider Organization," and refers to a type of health insurance plan that allows members to receive care from a wide network of providers. However, there are several synonyms for PPO that can provide a more nuanced understanding of this type of insurance. Some of the terms that can describe a PPO include "managed care plan," "participating provider organization," or "network insurance plan." Regardless of the name, a PPO typically offers lower out-of-pocket costs for members who choose to see providers within the network, while still allowing freedom to see providers outside the network at a higher cost. Understanding these synonyms can help make sense of the often-complicated world of healthcare insurance.