Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

HMO is a Health Maintenance Organization which is a type of health insurance plan that has a group of local doctors and hospitals for you to choose from. You must choose a “Primary Care Doctor” (General practice, Internal Medicine, Family Practice, OB/GYN, Pediatrician) as your primary doctor to visit, and you must see your primary and get referrals to see specialists from your primary doctor to have any tests or procedures done. A HMO usually has lower monthly premiums than a PPO. A HMO may be right for you if you’re comfortable choosing a primary doctor, also called a PCP, to coordinate all of your health care.