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When reading the definitions, please keep in mind that this glossary is
provided as a general guide. These definitions are for illustrative
purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Definitions and plan
options may vary by state and plan. If you obtain coverage, please refer
to your contract for a complete listing and exact definition of terms, as
your contract language will prevail.
Ancillary
Services -
services, other than those provided by a physician or hospital, which are
related to a patient’s care, such as laboratory work, x-rays and
anesthesia.
Calendar
Year -
the period beginning January 1 of any year through December 31 of the same
year.
Case
Management - a process whereby a covered person
with specific health care needs is identified and a plan which efficiently
utilizes health care resources is designed and implemented to achieve the
optimum patient outcome in the most cost-effective manner.
Certificate
of Coverage - a document given to an insured that
describes the benefits, limitations and exclusions of coverage provided by
an insurance company.
Claim
- Information a medical provider or insured submits to an insurance
company to request payment for medical services provided to the insured.
Coinsurance
- The portion of covered health care costs for which the covered person
has a financial responsibility, usually a fixed percentage. Coinsurance
usually applies after the insured meets his/her deductible.
Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
- a federal law that, among other things, requires employers to offer
continued health insurance coverage to certain employees and their
beneficiaries whose group health insurance has been terminated if they
undergo a triggering event. poker software development
Contract
Year -
the period of time from the effective date of the contract to the
expiration date of the contract.
Coordination
of Benefits (COB)
- a provision in the contract that applies when a person
is covered under more than one medical plan. It requires that payment of
benefits be coordinated by all plans to eliminate over insurance or
duplication of benefits.
Copayment
- a cost-sharing arrangement in which an insured pays a specified charge
for a specified service, such as $10 for an office visit. The insured is
usually responsible for payment at the time the service is rendered. This
charge may be in addition to certain coinsurance and deductible payments. Best solutions in Hoteladministrasjon in Bergen. Steer AS.
Covered
Person- an individual who meets eligibility requirements
and for whom premium payments are paid for specified benefits of the
contractual agreement.
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Deductible
- the amount of eligible expenses a covered person must pay each year from
his/her own pocket before the plan will make payment for eligible
benefits.
Deductible
Carry Over Credit
- charges applied to the deductible for services during
the last 3 months of a calendar year which may be used to satisfy the
following year’s deductible.
Dependent
- a covered person who relies on another person for support or obtains
health coverage through a spouse, parent or grandparent who is the covered
person under a plan.
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Effective Date
- the date insurance coverage begins.
Eligible Dependent
- a dependent of a covered person (spouse, child, or other
dependent) who meets all requirements specified in the contract to qualify
for coverage and for who premium payment is made.
Eligible Expenses
- the lower of the reasonable and customary charges or the agreed upon
health services fee for health services and supplies covered under a
health plan.
Explanation of
Benefits (EOB) -
the statement send to an insured by their health insurance company listing
services provided, amount billed, eligible expenses and payment made by
the health insurance company.
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Insured
- a person who has obtained health insurance coverage under a health
insurance plan.
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Managed
Care -
a health care system under which physicians, hospitals, and other health
care professionals are organized into a group or “network” in order to
manage the cost, quality and access to health care. Managed care
organizations include Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and Health
Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).
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Out-of-Pocket
Maximum
- the total payments that must be paid by a covered person (i.e.,
deductibles and coinsurance) as defined by the contract. Once this limit
is reached, covered health services are paid at 100% for health services
received during the rest of that calendar year.
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Participating
Provider
- a medical provider who has been contracted to render medical
services or supplies to insured's at a pre-negotiated fee. Providers
include hospitals, physicians, and other medical facilities.
Preferred
Provider Organization (PPO)
- a health care delivery arrangement which offers
insured's
access to participating providers at reduced costs. PPOs provide insured's
incentives, such as lower deductibles and co-payments, to use providers in
the network. Network providers agree to negotiated fees in exchange for
their preferred provider status.
Provider
- a physician, hospital, health professional and other entity or
institutional health care provider that provides a health care service.
Primary
Care Physician (PCP) - a
physician that is responsible for providing, prescribing, authorizing and
coordinating all medical care and treatment.
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Reasonable
and Customary (R &C)
- a term used to refer to the commonly charged or prevailing fees
for health services within a geographic area. A fee is generally
considered to be reasonable if it falls within the parameters of the
average or commonly charged fee for the particular service within that
specific community.
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Underwriting
- the act of reviewing and evaluating prospective insured's for risk
assessment and appropriate premium.
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