Many people have found that health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are expensive. The HMO backronym (back acronym) of “Hand Money Over” has been cited in print since at least 1996.
 
   
Wikipedia: Health maintenance organization
In the United States a health maintenance organization (HMO) is a medical insurance group that provides health services for a fixed annual fee. It is an organization that provides or arranges managed care for health insurance, self-funded health care benefit plans, individuals, and other entities, acting as a liaison with health care providers (hospitals, doctors, etc.) on a prepaid basis. The Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973 required employers with 25 or more employees to offer federally certified HMO options if the employer offers traditional healthcare options. Unlike traditional indemnity insurance, an HMO covers care rendered by those doctors and other professionals who have agreed by contract to treat patients in accordance with the HMO’s guidelines and restrictions in exchange for a steady stream of customers. HMOs cover emergency care regardless of the health care provider’s contracted status.
               
24 November 1996, San Francisco (CA) Examiner, “Letters to the Editor,” pg. C16:
HMO Hand Money Over
 
4 April 1997, Healthcare PR & Marketing News, “Customer Research Plays Key Role In Designing New HMO,” pg. 1:
Many Californians saw HMOs as entities to whom they must ‘Hand Money Over.’
 
Google Groups: soc.veterans
TRICARE Retiree Dental Plan Accepts Online Enrollment    
the_count
7/29/98
Would someone please explain to me the relationship, if any, between Tricare and Delta Dental?
 
It’s a less-than-mediocre commercial dental HMO whose coverage for retired personnel excludes crowns, bridges and dentures.
 
Is someone implying that this HMO (Hand Money Over) scheme is officially sponsored or controlled by Tricare?
 
Twitter
Henri! Ng‏
@henri_ng
HMO stands for Hand Money Over, that is why the Republicans/Right Wingers like them.
10:49 PM - 16 Aug 2009
 
Twitter
Chi Machine Shop‏
@The_Chi_Machine
Q: What does HMO stand for?
A: Hand Money Over!
4:42 AM - 10 Jun 2014
     
Facebook
Doug Rafferty
July 8, 2014 ·
Q: What does HMO stand for?
A1: Hand Money Over!
A2: How Many Obstacles!
A3: Healthy Members Only!
A4: Horrible Medical Organization!
A5: Healthy Men Only
     
Google Books
Changes by Chance, Champion by Choice:
A Mother’s Story of Triumph Over Tragedy
By Elizabeth Barker
Berkeley, CA: She Writes Press
2015
Pg. ?:
HMO. Stands. for. “Hand. Money. Over”
 
Twitter
FSS Sight & Sound‏
@foundsight
Mid-Day Humor
What does HMO stand for?
Hand Money Over!
How Many Obstacles!
Healthy Members Only!
Horrible Medical Organization!
Healthy…
10:55 AM - 4 May 2015
 
Twitter
Paul Campbell Haider‏
@Paulhaider74
Replying to @ScottHepburn4
Our 3 terrible options are: PPO(People Pissed Off) due to lack of coverage for $, HMO(Hand Money Over), and COBRA snake bites
4:48 PM - 16 Oct 2016