HMO

noun

ˌāch-(ˌ)em-ˈō 

: an organization that provides comprehensive health care to voluntarily enrolled individuals and families in a particular geographic area by member physicians with limited referral to outside specialists and that is financed by fixed periodic payments determined in advance

called also health maintenance organization

Examples of HMO in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

United’s Preferred Care Network Medicare Advantage plans provide health maintenance organization (HMO) plans with prescription drug coverage across Miami-Dade and Broward counties. — Michelle Marchante july 22, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Nearly three decades after the landmark decision, the HMO giant — which made a series of sweeping reforms after the ruling — is once again facing questions over whether its arbitration system is stacked against the interests of its members. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Because of the discrepancy between the rate increases, staff encouraged the board to switch to an HMO plan offered through Sutter Health Plan. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Medicare Advantage is a program that takes the money that would have been spent on you by Medicare and gives it to a private insurance company that essentially gives you private insurance coverage, often HMO or PPO. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

HMO

noun

ˌā-(ˌ)chem-ˈō 

plural HMOs

: an organization that provides comprehensive health care to voluntarily enrolled individuals and families in a particular geographic area by member physicians with limited referral to outside specialists and that is financed by fixed periodic payments determined in advance

called also health maintenance organization

compare ppo