Sample Informative Speech

One student delivered a speech on different types of health insurance plans. Below
is the outline, followed by a transcript of the actual speech. The speaker uses the
topical pattern to compare and contrast preferred provider organization (PPO)
plans and a high deductible health plans (HDHP).
The Outline with Commentary

PPO or HDHP? How to Choose a Health Plan

SPEECH

General Purpose: To inform

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about how to choose between a
preferred provider organization (PPO) plan and high
deductible health plan (HDHP).
Central Idea: When deciding on a medical plan, consider the differences
between a preferred provider organization (PPO) and high
deductible health plan (HDHP) and choose the plan that best
meets your needs.
INTRODUCTION

I. Attention Material

A. Is it a common cold? The flu? Or something more severe? Do I

need to go to the doctor? These are questions that might go
through your head whenever you get sick.
B. I find myself getting sick a few times a year and one thing that
makes it easier for me is having good health insurance.

1. Three years ago, I pinched a nerve in my neck and was faced

with many hospital visits and even a major surgery.
2. As a result, I became obsessed with understanding health
insurance options to find what works best for me.

C. Based on my class survey, 15 percent of the students here

receive coverage under the university plan.

1. This is consistent with the national average according to the

American College Health Association (2019).
2. Sixty-five percent of you have coverage under your parents’
plan, and the rest—20 percent—are employed full-time and
have a plan of your own.

D. Matthew Frankel, writer for USA Today, mentions in his May 2018
article that the average American spends $4,612 in health care–
related expenses per year including health insurance, medical
services, and prescription drugs.
Page 288
II. Orienting Material

A. This is a potentially large investment, so getting the most out of

your health care is important not only for your personal well-being
but also your financial security.
B. In our time together today, I want to tell you more about two
major health insurance plans, the PPO–preferred provider
organization plan, and the HDHP–high deductible health plan, so
that you can choose the one that’s right for you.

COMMENTARY
The speaker previews the comparison to follow in the rest
of the speech.
(Transition: First, I will provide brief descriptions of each plan and then
move into the similarities and differences between them.)
BODY

I. Let us start with a brief definition of a PPO and an HDHP.

A. A PPO plan is referred to as a preferred provider organization

plan.

1. According to health insurance provider Humana (n.d.), it is also

known as a health maintenance organization.
2. In general, a PPO plan provides a network of health care
providers you may choose from.
3. [Link], a financial technology website devoted to
providing personal finance advice, says health care providers
who are a part of this network will offer medical care at a
negotiated rate determined by the health care provider and the
insurance company (Dixon, 2019).

COMMENTARY
 COMMENTARY

The speaker refers to credible sources to bolster the

point.

4. That means you will pay a monthly premium for the insurance,
but also co-pays at each visit throughout the policy term.

B. An HDHP is referred to as a high deductible health plan.

1. This plan also allows you to choose from a network of

providers who will offer negotiated rates, lower than paying out
of pocket.
2. The monthly fee is much lower than a PPO’s, and rather than
co-pays, you will pay out of pocket for all health care expenses
until you reach a certain dollar amount.

(Transition: There is a lot more to both plans, so let us dive in deeper

by looking at the similarities and differences.)
II. First, let us consider the similarities between a PPO and an HDHP.

COMMENTARY
 COMMENTARY

The compare-and-contrast structure is reflected in the

outline, and makes the logic of the speech very easy for
listeners to follow.

A. In both plans, you will work with local medical providers that are
considered in-network or that have a pricing contract with the
insurer that is less expensive.
B. As a patient, you often have the option to elect out-of-network
medical providers as long as you are willing to assume the extra
out-of-pocket costs.
C. Both plans also cover preventive services at full cost.

1. [Link], the U.S. government’s health insurance

exchange website, says these services may include routine
physicals, blood pressure screenings, cholesterol screenings,
immunization shots, and much more (U.S. Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services, n.d.).
Page 289

2. It is important to check with your individual insurance provider

to see what is considered preventive.

D. BlueCross BlueShield, another health insurance provider, says

plans also cover discounts for some health and wellness
programs as well as provide access to online tools that you can
use to make healthier life decisions (BlueCross BlueShield of
Texas, n.d.).
 E. Also, each plan has an option for saving money for medical
expenses that often comes with tax savings benefits.

(Transition: Now that we have considered the similarities, let’s move on

to the differences.)
III. When choosing a plan, you should consider some important
differences between a PPO plan and an HDHP.

A. Cost is often the determining factor that impacts the decision for
many people, so let’s discuss the cost structure for each type of
plan.

COMMENTARY

Focusing on cost makes the speech especially relevant for

the audience.
 1. Most health insurance companies including BlueCross
BlueShield and Humana describe a PPO as having lower
deductibles, a co-pay for office visits and certain procedures,
and higher monthly premiums.
2. By contrast, an HDHP has higher deductibles, few, if any, co-
pays, and lower monthly premiums.
3. The monthly premiums vary based on negotiations between
your insurance company and your company or institution’s
benefits department.
4. Additionally, monthly premiums vary based on selection of an
individual plan or a family plan.

B. Make sure to consider carefully the deductible of the plan you

choose.

1. With a PPO, typical deductibles may range from $500 to $1,000

or more and co-pays may range from $5 to $50 or more (Fay,
n.d.).
2. PPOs usually have two different deductibles: one for services
from providers in the network and another for services from
providers outside the network.
3. For HDHP, the Internal Revenue Service (2020) says, in 2018, a
high deductible plan must have a minimum deductible of
$1,350 for single coverage and $2,700 for family coverage.

COMMENTARY
 COMMENTARY

This information can be difficult to understand to an

unfamiliar audience. The speaker takes time to provide a
careful comparison between these plans, so the listeners
have a clear picture of the differences.

4. Since these are just the minimums, many plans have higher
deductibles.
5. There are usually no co-pays since you are paying out of
pocket until you meet your deductible.

C. As noted earlier, both plans offer savings accounts.

1. A PPO plan has an FSA, a Flexible Spending Account, and an

HDHP has an HSA, a Health Savings Account.
2. [Link] says these accounts allow you to save money
for out-of-pocket medical expenses with a tax savings (U.S.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, n.d.).
Page 290

COMMENTARY
 COMMENTARY

The speaker refers to the government website to bolster

the claims.

3. Money is taken out of your paycheck before taxes, reducing

what you pay in taxes overall.
4. You can use your account to pay for expenses related to co-
pays, deductibles, prescriptions, medical equipment, dental
work, and much more.
5. The Internal Revenue Service (2020) provides a full list of
covered expenses on its website in IRS Publication 502.

(Transition: Now, you might ask yourself, which plan is right for me?)
IV. When you are deciding which plan to choose, consider both costs
and your health.

A. There are three questions you should ask yourself when

choosing the right medical plan for you.

1. Am I willing to plan for possible health care costs?

a. If yes, the high deductible plan could save you the most
money.
b. If not, a higher premium that comes out of your paycheck
may be better for you.

2. Am I relatively healthy and visit the doctor on a limited basis?

 a. Remember, preventive care is free under both plans.
b. If you’re relatively healthy, an HDHP may be preferable over
the higher monthly premium PPO.

3. Do I have a chronic condition that requires continual care and

repeated medical visits throughout the year?

a. [Link] says an HDHP may be suitable for someone

who is younger and healthy without many medical needs
throughout the year (Dixon, 2019).
b. A PPO may be suitable for those who have many medical
appointments, require ongoing medical care, or have regular
prescriptions.

COMMENTARY
 COMMENTARY

The speaker uses a parallel structure, asking three

clear, simple questions to highlight the distinctions
between the two plan types.

B. Regardless of which plan you choose, [Link]

recommends you keep your individual or family medical needs in
mind and review the cost of co-payments, deductibles, out-of-
pocket maximums, and monthly medical premiums to determine
which option may work best for you (Dixon, 2019).

I. Since medical circumstances may change from year to year, it

is a good idea to revisit your insurance needs each year to
determine if a change is needed.
II. Many organizations provide cost comparison calculators that
allow you to compare the costs of an HDHP versus one that is
not.
III. MVP Health Care (n.d.) provides one that is relatively simple to
use.

(Transition: As we wrap up today, choosing the right health insurance

plan is not something to take lightly.)
Page 291
CONCLUSION

I. Summary

A. There are many plans out there, but the two we focused on are
the PPO, preferred provider organization plan, and the HDHP,
high deductible health plan.
B. While both are similar, there are also significant differences,
especially with regard to cost.

COMMENTARY

The speaker reviews the speech content in the conclusion.

II. Clincher
A. It is important that you consider each plan carefully so that you
choose the best one for your needs.
B. Regardless of the health insurance plan you choose, remember it
is a major life decision and can impact your pocketbook, as well
as your well-being.

COMMENTARY

The final line drives home the importance of the content of

the speech to the speaker’s audience.
REFERENCES

American College Health Association. (2019). National College Health

Assessment II–Spring 2019 reference group executive summary.
[Link]
II_SPRING_2019_US_REFERENCE_GROUP_EXECUTIVE_SUMMA
[Link]
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas. (n.d.). Employer resources.
[Link]
Dixon, A. (2019, August 1). 10 health insurance terms you should know.
SmartAsset. [Link]
terms-you-should-know
Fay, B. (n.d.). Health insurance premiums, deductibles, copays, and
coinsurance. [Link]. [Link]
insurance-premiums/
Frankel, M. (2018, May 8). How does the average American spend
their paycheck? See how you compare. USA Today.
[Link]
and-spending/2018/05/08/how-does-average-american-spend-
paycheck/34378157/
Humana. (n.d.). What is a PPO? [Link]
well-being/what-is-ppo
Internal Revenue Service. (2020, February 6). About Publication 502,
Medical and Dental Expenses. [Link]
pubs/about-publication-502
MVP Health Care. (n.d.). Which plan is right for me?
[Link]
SAResources/[Link]
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Preventative
care benefits for adults. [Link].
[Link]
[Link]
SAResources/[Link]

COMMENTARY

High-quality sources are used.

VISUAL AIDS
Venn diagrams showing similarities (four)

Venn diagrams showing differences (three)

IRS website

MVP Health Online website

COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY

PowerPoint slides help illustrate and enliven the speech.

 Page 292

The Speech as Delivered

Here is a transcript of the speech as delivered.
 PPO or HDHP? How to Choose a Health Plan

Is it a common cold? The flu? Or something more severe? Do I need to

go to the doctor? These are questions that might go through your
head whenever you get sick.

I find myself getting sick a few times a year and one thing that makes
it easier for me is having a good health insurance. Three years ago, I
pinched a nerve in my neck and was faced with many hospital visits
and even a major surgery. As a result, I became obsessed with
understanding health insurance options to find what works best for
me.

Based on my class survey, 15 percent of the students here receive

coverage under the university plan. This is consistent with the national
average according to the American College Health Association. Sixty-
five percent of you have coverage under your parents’ plan, and the
rest—20 percent—are employed full-time and have a plan of your
own.

Matthew Frankel, writer for USA Today, mentions in his May 2018
article that the average American spends $4,612 in health care–
related expenses per year including health insurance, medical
services, and prescription drugs. This is a potentially large investment,
so getting the most out of your health care is important not only for
your personal well-being but also your financial security.

In our time together today, I want to tell you more about two major
health insurance plans, the PPO–preferred provider organization plan,
and the HDHP–high deductible health plan. [Slide of the two plans
appears on screen.] First, I will provide brief descriptions of each plan
and then move into the similarities and differences between them.

Let us start with a brief definition of each.

A PPO plan is referred to as a preferred provider organization plan.
According to health insurance provider Humana, it is also known as a
health maintenance organization. In general, a PPO plan provides a
network of health care providers you may choose from.

[Link], a financial technology website devoted to providing

personal finance advice, says health care providers who are a part of
this network will offer medical care at a negotiated rate determined by
the health care provider and the insurance company. That means you
will pay a monthly premium for the insurance, but also co-pays at each
visit throughout the policy term.

An HDHP is referred to as a high deductible health plan. This plan also

allows you to choose from a network of providers who will offer
negotiated rates, lower than paying out of pocket. The monthly fee is
much lower than a PPO’s, and rather than co-pays, you will pay out of
pocket for all health care expenses until you reach a certain dollar
amount.

There is a lot more to both plans, so let us dive in deeper by looking

at the similarities and differences. First, the similarities.

In both plans, you will work with local medical providers that are
considered in-network or that have a pricing contract with the insurer
that is less expensive. As a patient, you often have the option to elect
out-of-network medical providers as long as you are willing to assume
the extra out-of-pocket costs.

Both plans also cover preventive services at full cost. [Link],

the U.S. government’s health insurance exchange website, says these
services may include routine physicals, blood pressure screenings,
cholesterol screenings, immunization shots, and much more. It is
important to check with your individual insurance provider to see what
is considered preventive.
BlueCross BlueShield, another health insurance provider, says plans
also cover discounts for some health and wellness programs as well
as provide access to online tools that you can use to make healthier
life decisions.

Also, each plan has an option for saving money for medical expenses
that often comes with tax savings benefits.

Page 293

Now let us move on to some of the major differences between a PPO

plan and an HDHP with a focus mostly on cost. This is often the
determining factor that impacts the decision for many people.

Most health insurance companies including BlueCross BlueShield and

Humana describe a PPO as having lower deductibles, a co-pay for
office visits and certain procedures, and higher monthly premiums. By
contrast, an HDHP has higher deductibles, few, if any, co-pays, and
lower monthly premiums. The monthly premiums vary based on
negotiations between your insurance company and your company or
institution’s benefits department. Additionally, monthly premiums vary
based on selection of an individual plan or a family plan.

With a PPO, typical deductibles may range from $500 to $1,000 or

more and co-pays may range from $5 to $50 or more. PPOs usually
have two different deductibles: one for services from providers in the
network and another for services from providers outside the network.

For an HDHP, the Internal Revenue Service says, in 2018, a high

deductible plan must have a minimum deductible of $1,350 for single
coverage and $2,700 for family coverage. Since these are just the
minimums, many plans have higher deductibles. There are usually no
co-pays since you are paying out of pocket until you meet your
deductible.
As noted earlier, both plans offer savings accounts. A PPO plan has an
FSA, a Flexible Spending Account, and an HDHP has an HSA, a
Health Savings Account. [Link] says these accounts allow
you to save money for out-of-pocket medical expenses with a tax
savings. Money is taken out of your paycheck before taxes, reducing
what you pay in taxes overall. You can use your account to pay for
expenses related to co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions, medical
equipment, dental work, and much more. The Internal Revenue
Service provides a full list of covered expenses on its website in IRS
Publication 502.

Now, you might ask yourself which plan is right for me? There are
three questions you should ask yourself when choosing the right
medical plan for you.

1. Am I willing to plan for possible health care costs?

If yes, the high deductible plan could save you the most money. If
not, a higher premium that comes out of your paycheck may be
better for you.
2. Am I relatively healthy and visit the doctor on a limited basis?
Remember, preventive care is free under both plans. If you’re
relatively healthy, an HDHP may be preferable over the higher
monthly premium PPO.
3. Do I have a chronic condition that requires continual care and
repeated medical visits throughout the year?

[Link] says an HDHP may be suitable for someone who is

younger and healthy without many medical needs throughout the
year. A PPO may be suitable for those who have many medical
appointments, require ongoing medical care, or have regular
prescriptions.
Regardless of which plan you choose, [Link] recommends
you keep your individual or family medical needs in mind and review
the cost of co-payments, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and
monthly medical premiums to determine which option may work best
for you. Since medical circumstances may change from year to year, it
is a good idea to revisit your insurance needs each year to determine
if a change is needed.

Many organizations provide cost comparison calculators that allow

you to compare the costs of an HDHP versus one that is not. MVP
Health Online provides one that is relatively simple to use.

As we wrap up today, choosing the right health insurance plan is not

something to take lightly. There are many plans out there, but the two
we focused on are the PPO, preferred provider organization plan, and
the HDHP, high deductible health plan. While both are similar, there
are also differences especially with cost. Regardless of the health
insurance plan you choose, remember it is a major life decision and
can impact your pocketbook, as well as your well-being.