HMOs, PPOs, EPOs, and POS plans all have provider networks. This network includes doctors, hospitals, labs and other providers that either have a contract with the health plan or, in some cases, are employed by the health plan. Plans differ as to whether you'll have coverage for health care services from providers who arenât in their network.
The first oil shock in the early 1970s pushed up oil prices and significantly increased imported fuel costs. Since Japan's economy depends heavily on imported fuel, this development slowed economic growth. In 1974, the economy contracted by about 1.2 percent of total GDP.
Japan's economy is shrinking, but it is not in a recessionâat least not if that word has any meaning at all. Well, other than the fact that technically it is. Japan's gross domestic product just contracted for the second quarter in a row, which, yes, is the rule of thumb we use to define a recession.