EPO
Abbreviation with 4 meanings
| Stands for | Exclusive provider organization |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 4 |
| Categories | Medical, Law & Legal |
EPO has four meanings. The most common are Exclusive provider organization (health insurance) and European Patent Office (intellectual property); it can also stand for Erythropoietin (epoetin alfa) and Emergency protective order.
Meanings of EPO at a glance
| # | EPO stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exclusive provider organization | Medical › Health Insurance |
| 2 | European Patent Office | Law & Legal › Intellectual Property |
| 3 | Erythropoietin (epoetin alfa) | Medical › Drug |
| 4 | Emergency protective order | Law & Legal › Estate and Family Law |
1. Exclusive provider organization
Medical · Health Insurance Abbreviations
Plan type that, like an HMO, covers only in-network care except in emergencies, but like a PPO usually does not require a primary care physician or referrals to see specialists. It is common on ACA marketplaces and in some employer plans.
Example: EPO plan: no referrals needed, but the out-of-state clinic isn't covered.
EPO networks can be narrow, so checking that doctors and hospitals are in-network before enrolling matters. Premiums usually fall between HMO and PPO levels. The name refers to the plan's exclusive reliance on its network.
2. European Patent Office
Law & Legal · Intellectual Property Abbreviations
Executive body of the European Patent Organisation, based in Munich with branches in The Hague, Berlin, Vienna and Brussels, that examines and grants European patents under the European Patent Convention. One application can lead to protection in up to about 45 countries.
Example: The EPO's opposition division revoked the patent after a competitor's challenge.
The office opened in 1977. A granted European patent becomes a bundle of national patents unless the owner requests unitary effect in participating EU states. Anyone may oppose a granted patent within nine months. In medicine, EPO means erythropoietin, a hormone known from doping scandals.
3. Erythropoietin (epoetin alfa)
Medical · Drug Abbreviations
Kidney hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, and the recombinant drug versions (Epogen, Procrit, Retacrit) used to treat anemia from chronic kidney disease and chemotherapy. Darbepoetin is a longer-acting relative.
Example: EPO 4,000 units subcut weekly; hold if hemoglobin above 11.
Since 2007, FDA boxed warnings have cautioned that targeting hemoglobin above 11 g/dL increases the risk of death, heart attack, stroke and blood clots. EPO became notorious in endurance sports as a doping agent, notably in professional cycling in the 1990s and 2000s. Iron stores are checked because iron deficiency blunts the response.
4. Emergency protective order
Law & Legal · Estate and Family Law Abbreviations
Short-term protective order, often requested by a police officer at any hour from an on-call judge, that protects a victim of domestic violence, stalking or child abuse immediately after an incident. In California it lasts up to five court days or seven calendar days, whichever is shorter.
Example: The officer obtained an EPO by phone, giving the victim a week to seek a temporary order.
It is designed to protect victims until the courts are open to consider a longer temporary restraining order. Many states have similar emergency orders under different names. In patent law, EPO means the European Patent Office.
Related abbreviations
More health insurance abbreviations
- DRG – Diagnosis-related group
- EHB – Essential health benefits
- EOB – Explanation of benefits
- EOC – Evidence of coverage
- ERA – Electronic remittance advice
- ERISA – Employee Retirement Income Security Act
- ESI – Employer-sponsored insurance
- FEHB – Federal Employees Health Benefits (Program)
See all 107 health insurance abbreviations →
More intellectual property abbreviations
- CNIPA – China National Intellectual Property Administration
- Copr. – Copyright
- DOE – Doctrine of equivalents
- EPC – European Patent Convention
- EUIPO – European Union Intellectual Property Office
- FRAND – Fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory
- FTO – Freedom to operate
- IDS – Information disclosure statement
See all 50 intellectual property abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical or legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.