An organization that provides comprehensive health care to voluntarily enrolled individuals and families, often in a select geographic area, by member physicians with limited referral to outside specialists. Membership in an HMO is financed by fixed periodic payments determined in advance.
An HMO generally won’t cover out-of-network care except in case of an emergency.
You may be required to live or work in the HMO’s service area to be eligible for coverage. HMOs often provide integrated care and focus on prevention and wellness.