Short answer: The network determines which doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies are covered at in-network rates. Narrow networks cost less but limit choice; broad PPO networks cost more but offer wider access and out-of-network benefits.
A provider network is the set of doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies that have contracted with the plan for negotiated rates. Staying in network means lower costs; going out of network means higher costs or, in HMO/EPO plans, no coverage at all. Narrow or ‘high-value’ networks lower premiums by steering you to a curated set of providers, while broad PPO networks cost more but maximize choice. Before enrolling, confirm your preferred doctors and hospitals are in network.