Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

What does the abbreviation HMO stand for?

1. Home maintenance organization

2. Health management organization

3. Health maintenance organization

4. Home medical organization

The correct answer is: Health maintenance organization

The abbreviation HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization. This term refers to a type of health insurance plan that provides managed care for health services. Under an HMO, members are typically required to choose a primary care physician (PCP) and need referrals from this doctor to see specialists. The focus of an HMO is to offer comprehensive health services while promoting preventative care and ensuring that costs are kept low for the members. Other options such as Home maintenance organization or Home medical organization do not accurately represent the structure and purpose of an HMO. Similarly, while Health management organization might seem similar, it does not reflect the specific service model and care structure associated with HMOs. Understanding this terminology is essential for those in the healthcare field, as it impacts how patients access their services and the overall management of their health care.