Health maintenance organization

A health maintenance organization, or HMO, is a special group that helps take care of people's health. Think of it like having a special team of doctors and nurses that are all working together to help keep you healthy.

You might join an HMO by signing up through your work or on your own. Then, you'll get a special card that you can give to doctors, nurses, and hospitals to show that you're a part of the HMO.

When you need to go see a doctor, you'll usually have to pick one that's part of the HMO. This is kind of like having a special club of doctors that you can choose from. Your doctor will help take care of you and make sure you're healthy.

If you need to see a specialist, like a doctor who knows a lot about a specific health problem, you'll usually have to get a special referral from your main doctor. This is like asking your main doctor to invite another doctor to help you.

The HMO will also sometimes help you pay for your doctor visits and any medicine that you need. This can help make sure that you get the care you need without worrying too much about how much it will cost.

Overall, joining an HMO is a great way to make sure that you're taking care of your health and getting the help you need when you need it.