What are HMO health insurance plans?

Understanding Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) are a form of managed care health insurance coverage. HMOs offer individual health insurance, family health insurance, group health insurance, student health insurance and temporary health insurance plans. Federal health insurance, like Medicare, also provides an HMO option.

HMOs require members to select a primary physician who will manage your overall care. To see other health care providers within the HMO, members must obtain referrals from their primary physician. You may end up paying higher rates to see health care providers who are not part of the HMO.

Generally speaking, HMOs provide an affordable health insurance option. HMO health insurance premiums and patient co-pays are generally on the low side, which can translate to lower health insurance costs.