Health maintenance organization

A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a type of Managed Care Organization (MCO) that provides a form of health insurance coverage that is fulfilled through hospitals, doctors, and other providers with which the HMO has a contract. Unlike traditional indemnity insurance, care provided in an HMO generally follows a set of care guidelines provided through the HMO's network of providers. Under this model, providers contract with an HMO to receive more patients and in return usually agree to provide services at a discount. This arrangement allows the HMO to charge a lower monthly premium, which is an advantage over indemnity insurance, provided that its members are willing to abide by the additional restrictions.

External links

• America's Health Insurance Plans - a trade organization
• Medicare HMO Web Site
• State of California - 2003 Quality of Care Report Card
• The high costs of for-profit care - an article that discusses the excesses of HMO CEOs