### Question
How does THE CHILDREN'S BUREAU define health maintenance organization?


### Answer
Under *42 U.S.C. § 1396b*, **health maintenance organization** is defined as:

> a public or private organization, organized under the laws of any State, which meets the requirement of section 1396a(w) of this title is a qualified health maintenance organization (as defined in section 300e–9(d) of this title) or which meets the requirement of section 1396a(a) of this title and—


(i) makes services it provides to individuals eligible for benefits under this subchapter accessible to such individuals, within the area served by the organization, to the same extent as such services are made accessible to individuals (eligible for medical assistance under the State plan) not enrolled with the organization, and


(ii) has made adequate provision against the risk of insolvency, which provision is satisfactory to the State and which assures that individuals eligible for benefits under this subchapter are in no case held liable for debts of the organization in case of the organization's insolvency

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 1396b*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 6-THE CHILDREN'S BUREAU > SUBCHAPTER XIX-GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS**

