Glossary of Medical Terms

Affordable Care Act - Often called “health care reform,” this is a 2010 federal law that changed certain rules regarding health insurance coverage in the United States.  Learn more at healthcare.gov.
Allowed Amount - This is the maximum payment the plan will pay for a covered health care service. May also be called "eligible expense", "payment allowance", or "negotiated rate."
Appeal - A request that your health insurer or plan review a decision that denies a benefit or payment (either in whole or in part).
Associated Costs - Costs that are related to a diagnosis but not specifically due to medical care given to treat the disease; also called non-medical costs. Transportation and childcare during treatment are two common associated costs.
Authorization - Written approval from your insurance carrier to receive medical care.
Balance Billing - When a provider bills you for the balance remaining on the bill that your plan doesn't cover. This amount is the difference between the actual billed amount and the allowed amount. For example, if the provider’s charge is $200 and the allowed amount is $110, the provider may bill you for the remaining $90. This happens most often when you see an out-of-network provider (non-preferred provider). A network provider (preferred provider) may not bill you for covered services.
Cancer Resource Services (CRS) - Cancer Resource Services (CRS) is a program provided by United Healthcare that offers United Healthcare patients access to a network of premier cancer centers. United Healthcare patients should call CRS at 866-936-6002 to verify eligibility for this specialized coverage.
Carrier - An insurance company that issues policies and makes payments to medical providers for its members.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) - A medical coverage source for individuals under age 19 whose parents earn too much income to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to pay for private coverage.
Claim - A request for a benefit (including reimbursement of a health care expense) made by you or your health care provider to your health insurer or plan for items or services you think are covered. 
Clinical trial - A research study to test a new treatment or drug.
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) - A federal law that allows employees in danger of losing health insurance under certain circumstances, such as leaving a job or reducing their hours, to pay for and keep their insurance coverage for a limited time. Learn more at healthcare.gov/unemployed/cobra-coverage
Co-Insurance - Your share of the costs of a covered health care service, calculated as a percentage (for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for the service. You generally pay coinsurance plus any deductibles you owe. (For example, if the health insurance or plan’s allowed amount for an office visit is $100 and you’ve met your deductible, your coinsurance payment of 20% would be $20. The health insurance or plan pays the rest of the allowed amount.) See a detailed example.
Complications of Pregnancy - Conditions due to pregnancy, labor, and delivery that require medical care to prevent serious harm to the health of the mother or the fetus. Morning sickness and a non-emergency caesarean section generally aren’t complications of pregnancy.
Co-Payment - A set fee, in dollars, that an insurance provider requires a patient to pay each time care is received. The amount of the co-pay is set by the insurance provider, not the doctor's office. The amount can vary by the type of covered health care service.
Cost Sharing - Your share of costs for services that a plan covers that you must pay out of your own pocket (sometimes called “out-of-pocket costs”). Some examples of cost sharing are copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. Family cost sharing is the share of cost for deductibles and out-of-pocket costs you and your spouse and/or child(ren) must pay out of your own pocket. Other costs, including your premiums, penalties you may have to pay, or the cost of care a plan doesn’t cover usually aren't considered cost sharing.
Cost-sharing Reductions - Discounts that reduce the amount you pay for certain services covered by an individual plan you buy through the Marketplace. You may get a discount if your income is below a certain level, and you choose a Silver level health plan or if you're a member of a federally recognized tribe, which includes being a shareholder in an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporation.
Deductible - The amount of approved health care costs an insured patient must pay out-of-pocket each year before the health care plan begins paying any costs.   An amount you could owe during a coverage period (usually one year) for covered health care services before your plan begins to pay. An overall deductible applies to all or almost all covered items and services. A plan with an overall deductible may also have separate deductibles that apply to specific services or groups of services. A plan may also have only separate deductibles. (For example, if your deductible is $1000, your plan won’t pay anything until you’ve met your $1000 deductible for covered health care services subject to the deductible.) See a detailed example.
Diagnostic Test - Tests to figure out what your health problem is. For example, an x-ray can be a diagnostic test to see if you have a broken bone. 
Disability insurance - Insurance that provides an income on either a short-term or a long-term basis to a person with a serious illness or injury that prevents the person from working.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) - Equipment and supplies ordered by a health care provider for everyday or extended use. DME may include: oxygen equipment, wheelchairs, and crutches.
Emergency Medical Condition - An illness, injury, symptom (including severe pain), or condition severe enough to risk serious danger to your health if you didn’t get medical attention right away. If you didn’t get immediate medical attention you could reasonably expect one of the following: 1) Your health would be put in serious danger; or 2) You would have serious problems with your bodily functions; or 3) You would have serious damage to any part or organ of your body.
Emergency Medical Transportation - Ambulance services for an emergency medical condition. Types of emergency medical transportation may include transportation by air, land, or sea. Your plan may not cover all types of emergency medical transportation, or may pay less for certain types.
Emergency Room Care / Emergency Services - Services to check for an emergency medical condition and treat you to keep an emergency medical condition from getting worse. These services may be provided in a licensed hospital’s emergency room or other place that provides care for emergency medical conditions.
Excluded Services - Health care services that your plan doesn’t pay for or cover.
Formulary - A list of drugs your plan covers. A formulary may include how much your share of the cost is for each drug. Your plan may put drugs in different cost sharing levels or tiers. For example, a formulary may include generic drug and brand name drug tiers and different cost sharing amounts will apply to each tier. Grievance A complaint that you communicate to your health insurer or plan.
Habilitation Services - Health care services that help a person keep, learn or improve skills and functioning for daily living. Examples include therapy for a child who isn’t walking or talking at the expected age. These services may include physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and other services for people with disabilities in a variety of inpatient and/or outpatient settings. 
Health Exchange - A key provision of the Affordable Care Act, established to provide a selection of competing health insurance providers, each offering different qualified plans. All qualified plans must meet standards established and enforced by the federal government. Learn more at healthcare.gov.
Health Insurance - A contract that requires a health insurer to pay some or all of your health care costs in exchange for a premium. A health insurance contract may also be called a “policy” or “plan”.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - A managed care plan that requires its members to use the services of their network of physicians, hospitals, or other healthcare providers. A member of an HMO is required to choose a primary care physician who must provide you with a referral to see a specialist.
Home Health Care - Health care services and supplies you get in your home under your doctor’s orders. Services may be provided by nurses, therapists, social workers, or other licensed health care providers. Home health care usually doesn't include help with non-medical tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, or driving.
Hospice Services - Services to provide comfort and support for persons in the last stages of a terminal illness and their families.
Hospitalization - Care in a hospital that requires admission as an inpatient and usually requires an overnight stay. Some plans may consider an overnight stay for observation as outpatient care instead of inpatient care.
Hospital Outpatient Care - Care in a hospital that usually doesn’t require an overnight stay.
Individual Responsibility Requirement - Sometimes called the “individual mandate,” the duty you may have to be enrolled in health coverage that provides minimum essential coverage. If you don’t have minimum essential coverage, you may have to pay a penalty when you file your federal income tax return unless you qualify for a health coverage exemption. In-network Coinsurance Your share (for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for covered health care services. Your share is usually lower for in-network covered services.
Indemnity Health Plans - A fee-for-service plan insurance plan that allows you to see medical providers of your choice. You are responsible for paying a percentage of total charges regardless of medical provider.
In-Network - Healthcare providers who have a managed care contract with your insurance plan. The fees of these providers are covered by the plan. You may still be responsible for a co-payment.
In-Network Copayment - A fixed amount (for example, $15) you pay for covered health care services to providers who contract with your health insurance or plan. In-network copayments usually are less than out-of-network copayments.
Long-Term Disability (LTD) - Insurance (LTD) helps replace some of your income for an extended period when you cannot work at all or can only work part-time because of a disability. 
Managed Care - An insurance plan that contracts with a network of healthcare providers (EPOs, HMOs, POS, and PPOs). Your financial responsibility is significantly less when provided in-network.
Marketplace - A marketplace for health insurance where individuals, families and small businesses can learn about their plan options; compare plans based on costs, benefits and other important features; apply for and receive financial help with premiums and cost sharing based on income; and choose a plan and enroll in coverage. Also known as an "Exchange". The Marketplace is run by the state in some states and by the federal government in others. In some states, the Marketplace also helps eligible consumers enroll in other programs, including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Available online, by phone, and in-person.
Maximum Out-of-pocket Limit - Yearly amount the federal government sets as the most each individual or family can be required to pay in cost sharing during the plan year for covered, in-network services. Applies to most types of health plans and insurance. This amount may be higher than the out-of-pocket limits stated for your plan.
Medicaid - A state program that provides medical benefits to eligible people who have a low income level as well as to people with disabilities. Learn more at cms.gov.
Medicare - A federal health insurance program that covers the cost of hospitalization, medical care, and some related services for people 65 years or older and for people with disabilities. Learn more at medicare.gov.
Medigap Insurance - Extra health insurance that you buy from a private company to pay health care costs not covered by Original Medicare, such as co-payments, deductibles, and health care if you travel outside the U.S. Medigap policies does NOT cover long-term care, or dental care, and vision.
Medically Necessary - Health care services or supplies needed to prevent, diagnose, or treat an illness, injury, condition, disease, or its symptoms, inlcuding habilitation, and that meet accepted standards of medicine.
Minimum Essential Coverage - Health coverage that will meet the individual responsibility requirement. Minimum essential coverage generally includes plans, health insurance available through the Marketplace or other individual market policies, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, and certain other coverage.
Minimum Value Standard - A basic standard to measure the percent of permitted costs the plan covers. If you’re offered an employer plan that pays for at least 60% of the total allowed costs of benefits, the plan offers minimum value and you may not qualify for premium tax credits and cost sharing reductions to buy a plan from the Marketplace.
Network - A group of physicians, specialists, hospitals, outpatient centers, pharmacies, and other providers who has signed a contract with an insurance company to provide healthcare services to their subscribers. The facilities, providers and suppliers your health insurer or plan has contracted with to provide health care services.
Network Provider (Preferred Provider) - A provider who has a contract with your health insurer or plan who has agreed to provide services to members of a plan. You will pay less if you see a provider in the network. Also called “preferred provider” or “participating provider.”
Non-Covered Procedure or Service - A medical procedure or service that an insurance plan considers medically unnecessary (or experimental) and therefore does not cover.
Orthotics and Prosthetics - Leg, arm, back and neck braces, artificial legs, arms, and eyes, and external breast prostheses after a mastectomy. These services include: adjustment, repairs, and replacements required because of breakage, wear, loss, or a change in the patient’s physical condition.
Out-of-Network - Health care providers or facilities that are not part of an HMO or PPO plan's approved list or network are considered “out of network” (as opposed to being on an approved list or “in network”). Out-of-network care often costs patients more than in-network care and may involve a deductible and require pre-approval for certain services.
Out-of-network Coinsurance - Your share (for example, 40%) of the allowed amount for covered health care services to providers who don't contract with your health insurance or plan. Out-of-network coinsurance usually costs you more than in-network coinsurance.
Out-of-network Copayment - A fixed amount (for example, $30) you pay for covered health care services from providers who do not contract with your health insurance or plan. Out-of-network copayments usually are more than in-network copayments.
Out-of-network Provider (Non-Preferred Provider) - A provider who doesn’t have a contract with your plan to provide services. If your plan covers out-of-network services, you’ll usually pay more to see an out-of-network provider than a preferred provider. Your policy will explain what those costs may be. May also be called “non-preferred” or “non-particiapting” instead of “out-of-network provider”.
Out-of-pocket Costs - Expenses that must be paid from a patient's personal financial resources; any expense not covered by insurance.
Out-of-pocket Limit - The most you could pay during a coverage period (usually one year) for your share of the costs of covered services. After you meet this limit the plan will usually pay 100% of the allowed amount. This limit helps you plan for health care costs. This limit never includes your premium, balance-billed charges or health care your plan doesn’t cover. Some plans don’t count all of your copayments, deductibles, coinsurance payments, out-of-network payments, or other expenses toward this limit. 
Patient Financial Clearance Unit - A team available to assist with authorization requests, status of authorization and benefits eligibility.
Physician Services - Health care services a licensed medical physician, including an M.D. (Medical Doctor) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), provides or coordinates. Plan Health coverage issued to you directly (individual plan) or through an employer, union or other group sponsor (employer group plan) that provides coverage for certain health care costs. Also called "health insurance plan", "policy", "health insurance policy" or "health insurance".
Point of Service (POS) - A health plan that contracts with a group of providers to offer medical services at discounted rates. When seeing an in-network specialist, such as an oncologist, you must obtain a referral from your primary care physician. POS plans allow you to seek care outside of the PPO network, but the insured party has a greater out-of-pocket expense.
Preauthorization - A decision by your health insurer or plan that a health care service, treatment plan, prescription drug or durable medical equipment (DME) is medically necessary. Sometimes called prior authorization, prior approval or precertification. Your health insurance or plan may require preauthorization for certain services before you receive them, except in an emergency. Preauthorization isn’t a promise your health insurance or plan will cover the cost.
Precertification - The process of requesting approval from an insurance plan for specific services before they happen, such as a treatment, procedure, or hospital stay; also called pre-approval. Many hospitals and clinics have precertification coordinators, patient navigators, or case managers who help patients with cancer through this process.
Premium - The amount that must be paid for your health insurance or plan. You and/or your employer usually pay it monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
Premium Tax Credits - Financial help that lowers your taxes to help you and your family pay for private health insurance. You can get this help if you get health insurance through the Marketplace and your income is below a certain level. Advance payments of the tax credit can be used right away to lower your monthly premium costs. Prescription Drug Coverage - Coverage under a plan that helps pay for prescription drugs. If the plan’s formulary uses “tiers” (levels), prescription drugs are grouped together by type or cost. The amount you'll pay in cost sharing will be different for each "tier" of covered prescription drugs.
Prescription Drugs - Drugs and medications that by law require a prescription.
Preventive Care (Preventive Service) - Routine health care, including screenings, check-ups, and patient counseling, to prevent or discover illness, disease, or other health problems.
Primary Care Physician - A physician, including an M.D. (Medical Doctor) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), who provides or coordinates a range of health care services for you.
Primary Care Provider - A physician, including an M.D. (Medical Doctor) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant, as allowed under state law and the terms of the plan, who provides, coordinates, or helps you access a range of health care services.
Provider - An individual or facility that provides health care services. Some examples of a provider include a doctor, nurse, chiropractor, physician assistant, hospital, surgical center, skilled nursing facility, and rehabilitation center. The plan may require the provider to be licensed, certified, or accredited as required by state law.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) - This is a type of private health insurance in which a person has access to a network of approved doctors, called in-network doctors. In PPOs, patients typically do not need a referral for specialist care.
Premium - The amount a person or company pays each month to keep insurance coverage.
Primary Care Physician (PCP) - A general or family practitioner who is your personal physician and first contact within a managed care system. The PCP will usually direct the course of your treatment and refer you to other doctors and/or specialists in the network if specialized care is needed.
Provider - Any medical professional  or institution that provides medical care.
Reconstructive Surgery Surgery and follow-up treatment needed to correct or improve a part of the body because of birth defects, accidents, injuries, or medical conditions. 
Reasonable and customary fees - The average cost for health services in a geographic area that insurance plans use to decide how much they will pay for those services. If a doctor's fees for a service are higher than average, the patient must pay the difference.
Referral - A written order from your primary care provider for you to see a specialist or get certain health care services. In many health maintenance organizations (HMOs), you need to get a referral before you can get health care services from anyone except your primary care provider. If you don’t get a referral first, the plan may not pay for the services. In many managed care plans, you need to get a referral form before you get care from anyone except your primary care doctor. If you do not first get a referral, the plan may not pay for your care. Patients in HMO plans must also obtain authorization for treatment from the carrier prior to an appointment at an out-of-network facility.
Rehabilitation Services - Health care services that help a person keep, get back, or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired because a person was sick, hurt, or disabled. These services may include physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and psychiatric rehabilitation services in a variety of inpatient and/or outpatient settings
Screening - A type of preventive care that includes tests or exams to detect the presence of something, usually performed when you have no symptoms, signs, or prevailing medical history of a disease or condition. 
Short Term Disability - Insurance can replace a portion of your income during the initial weeks of a disabling illness or accident. Policies can cover from the first 6 months up to a year of a disability, providing coverage during the waiting period of most Long Term Disability Insurance plans.
Skilled Nursing Care - Services performed or supervised by licensed nurses in your home or in a nursing home. Skilled nursing care is not the same as “skilled care services”, which are services performed by therapists or technicians (rather than licensed nurses) in your home or in a nursing home.
Specialist - A provider focusing on a specific area of medicine or a group of patients to diagnose, manage, prevent, or treat certain types of symptoms and conditions.  A doctor who has been trained in treating a specific type of health condition or population.
Specialty Drug - A type of prescription drug that, in general, requires special handling or ongoing monitoring and assessment by a health care professional, or is relatively difficult to dispense. Generally, specialty drugs are the most expensive drugs on a formulary
Standard of Care - Items or services needed for reasonable and necessary care for diagnosis or treatment.
Supplemental Insurance - A policy that helps cover expenses not covered by your primary insurance or the costs you pay as part of your existing plan. This policy generally covers deductibles, co-insurance, co-payments, and other out-of-pocket expenses. It may also offer additional benefits, such as compensation for lost earnings due to missed work.
UCR (Usual, Customary and Reasonable) - The amount paid for a medical service in a geographic area based on what providers in the area usually charge for the same or similar medical service. The UCR amount sometimes is used to determine the allowed amount.
Urgent Care - Care for an illness, injury, or condition serious enough that a reasonable person would seek care right away, but not so severe as to require emergency room care.
Virtual Visits - An appointment via video-conference with provider using a computer or a mobile device.