what is a health maintenance organization hmo 
an individual who needs to secure health insurance may find a variety of insurance providers with unique features one type of insurance provider that is popular on the health insurance marketplace is a health maintenance organization hmo an insurance structure that provides coverage through a network of physicians there are several key differences between hmo plans and preferred provider organization ppo plans with an hmo plan your primary care physician pcp will refer you to specialists and you must stay within a network of providers to receive coverage on the other hand hmo plans typically have lower premiums than ppo plans 