Premiums for Affordable Care Act insurance plans are higher in counties that lack preferred provider organizations (PPOs), according to a HealthPocket analysis of premiums for plans sold on Healthcare.gov. HealthPocket found the greatest difference among exclusive provider organizations; in counties without a PPO, monthly premiums for EPOs were 15 percent higher than in counties with a PPO. The difference was less pronounced among point of service and health maintenance organization plans. HealthPocket attributed the difference in premiums to greater plan choice in counties with a PPO. Analysis