HMO

noun

ˌāch-(ˌ)em-ˈō How to pronounce HMO (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is not true for our Medicare Advantage HMO, according to my experience. — Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025 Disclaimer: Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO organization with a Medicare contract. — John Littig, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of HMO was in 1971

Browse Nearby Words

HMO
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“HMO.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HMO. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

HMO

noun
ˌā-(ˌ)chem-ˈō How to pronounce HMO (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on HMO

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about HMO

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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