HMO

UK: ˌeɪtʃ ɛm ˈəʊ | US: ˌeɪtʃ ɛm ˈoʊ

Definition

  1. n. (abbreviation) Health Maintenance Organization, a type of managed healthcare system in the U.S.

Structure
H <Health>M <Maintenance>O <Organization>
Etymology

HMO is an initialism derived from the phrase "Health Maintenance Organization." It emerged in the 1970s in the U.S. healthcare sector to describe prepaid group plans emphasizing preventive care. Unlike acronyms, its letters are pronounced individually (H-M-O), preserving the original spelling of each component word.

Examples

  1. She switched to an HMO for lower premiums but fewer provider choices.

  2. Many employers offer HMO plans as part of their benefits package.

  3. Critics argue HMOs restrict access to specialists.

  4. The HMO denied coverage for the out-of-network procedure.

  5. Enrollment in HMOs grew rapidly after the 1973 HMO Act.