Re: HMOs vs. PPOs
If you don't know a lot of doctors in your area, anyway, and are not likely to excessively seek out specialists etc, then stick with HMO for one year and get a decent PCP which is convenient and near your place. After a year, once you can actually make an informed decision based on non-HMO doctors and who you want to go to, then in the Open Enrollment period, you can always switch to PPO.
In our case, we have PPO, but all three of my kids still go to the same paediatrician who was their PCP when we were with HMO. Having PPO is only a peace of mind factor. The deduction is higher and the co-pay is higher as well. Unless you know several doctors in your area, and actually contemplate using one who is not in your HMO network, then you should pay extra for the PPO.
Its not like if you make a choice now, you are stuck with it forever. Many companies even allow a switch mid-term as well, if you make a good case.