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health maintenance organization

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Explanation of "Health Maintenance Organization" (HMO)

A Health Maintenance Organization, often called an HMO, is a type of health insurance plan. It provides a way for people to get medical care. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Usage Instructions

When you join an HMO, you usually have to choose a primary care doctor. This doctor is your main healthcare provider, and they help coordinate your medical care. If you need to see a specialist or get additional services, you often need a referral from your primary care doctor.

Example
  • "I signed up for a Health Maintenance Organization because it offers lower costs for doctor visits."
Advanced Usage

In more complex discussions, you might encounter terms like "provider network," which refers to the doctors and hospitals that are part of the HMO. You might also hear about "preventive care," which includes services like vaccinations and check-ups that help you stay healthy and avoid illness.

Word Variants
  • HMO: The abbreviation for Health Maintenance Organization.
  • Managed care: A broader term that includes HMOs and similar organizations.
  • Provider: A doctor or healthcare professional who offers medical services.
Different Meanings

While "Health Maintenance Organization" specifically refers to health insurance, the words can have different meanings in other contexts: - Organization: Can refer to any group working together, not just in healthcare. - Health: Refers to well-being in general, not limited to medical care.

Synonyms
  • Managed care organization: A more general term that includes HMOs.
  • Health insurance plan: A broader term for any type of insurance that covers medical costs.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to HMOs, you might hear phrases related to health insurance, such as: - "In good hands": This means being taken care of properly, often used when discussing healthcare providers. - "Covered under insurance": This means that the costs of a service will be paid by the insurance plan.

Summary

A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a type of health insurance that helps you get medical services from a network of doctors and hospitals. It's designed to keep you healthy while managing costs.

Noun
  1. group insurance that entitles members to services of participating hospitals and clinics and physicians

Synonyms

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