Hey Sue,
I know you have been through the wringer on trying to get your Insurance worked out.
In your note above..... please know that yes, PPO will cover "out of network" but at a much higher cost that "in network". I know the choice between HMO and PPO can be tough... as HMO is less money/month for insurance premiums... and works great for those not needing a lot of medical attention. For PPO (I am on PPO), it is a higher monthly premium cost than HMO.. but I am still limited on "in network" vs "Out of network". If I stay in network, I get this and that covered at much lower "out of pocket" costs/deductibles, yet, I am battling some "out of network" expenses now on my PPO... and it does add up.
I'm sure the surgery, via PPO "out of network" may be less than what you are being quoted, but be very careful on your insurance homework.....since your open enrollment is Oct 1 (based on the info in your other post/thread), ask your employer now about "PPO" and have them give you (if they can, this early) what the PPO allows, in % or $, for out of network coverages, esp for the extensive hospital bills for the AN surgery (ie: surgeon, in patient, drugs, scans, PT, etc). There may be a lot of ancillary to be affiliated with the surgical procedure.
Just my opinion... proceed with caution and please do you extensive homework on this one. I don't want you to get "bit" by hidden costs that can creep up on you. I have been bitten by the "out of network" bugger too much... and I'm still paying bills.
Just my 2 cents.
Phyl