HMO and PPO provider network: Are they two completely separate networks?

Hi everyone, Please excuse my ignorance as I'm trying to understand the health insurance structure, but I have a question I'd like to clarify regarding PPO and HMO provider network. I think I generally understand the difference between HMO and PPO plans, specifically that one requires you to have an allocated primary care provider and referral to see specialists, while the other does not. However, what I'm trying to understand is whether the providers who are in network with, for example, Care First PPO, are naturally also in network with Care First HMO, or are they two completely separate networks with different providers. From some of my research, some online articles say that HMO tends to have smaller network than PPO, which made me deduce that they are two separate networks. However, whenever I look at various provider websites, they usually just say they accept Care First, Cigna, etc. but without specifying whether it's the PPO plan, HMO plan, etc., which make me wonder if it actually matters which type of plan I get, or if it does, how I'm supposed to know if they would actually accept my type of plan. As the enrollment date is coming up, I'm trying to decide which type of plan to get, and the provider network size is one of the consideration. So please, if someone could clarify this for me, I would really be grateful.

submitted by /u/browneye54
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