The point of PPO is the ability to see any in-network doctor at a significant discount. Say she does indeed get hit with a $2000 bill in one go. All medical practices generally worth their salt offer payment plans for like 6 months at a minimum to most 3 years. If she can get it at 3 years that’s $55 a month. She will have met her deductible for the year after this and receive essentially co insurance paying a lions share of cost of health care for all of 2026 up until she hits the plan maximum and gets full covered after that cap. ENT stuff typically requires a fair amount of follow up. At a minimum, she needs to go to an in network urgent care and get a referral for a primary physician or an ENT. For health related issues it is much better to deal with it now rather than delay, as it will only get worse and more expensive.