• A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q R S T U W

A

Actuary - An insurance mathematician who calculates rates, statistics, and reserves.

Agent - A qualified representative of one or more insurance companies licensed to sell insurance.

B

Benefit - The amount an insurance company pays to a policyholder when a loss occurs.

Brand-Name Prescription Drug - Drugs developed, manufactured, and marketed with a brand name by a pharmaceutical company. Brand name drugs are typically more expensive that generic drugs.

Broker - An insurance salesperson that searches for quotes and plan options for individual clients.

C

Carrier - A company that provides insurance plans.

Case Management - A management system in which case managers monitor patients' health care, to improve quality, reduce cost, and ensure the patient receives appropriate care.

Claim - A request to an insurance company for payment of a service received.

COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) - Legislation allowing employees to keep their group health coverage temporarily after they leave the job.

Coinsurance - A portion of a single medical bill, expressed in a percentage, the insured is responsible for paying.

Copayment - A portion of a single medical bill, expressed in a dollar amount, the insured is responsible for paying.

D

Deductible - The yearly amount an insured must pay out-of-pocket before insurance coverage begins.

Dependents - Any person directly financially relying on insured. Usually includes spouse and unmarried children.

E

Effective Date - The date when insurance coverage begins.

Exclusions - Any medical or health care services not covered by an insurance plan.

Fee For Service (FFS) Plan - Also known as traditional "indemnity" coverage, FFS plans reimburse policyholders for the care they receive, as long as it's covered, from any health care provider.

F

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - A savings account in which income can be deposited tax-free for health care expenses. At the end of the year, any unused funds in an FSA are forfeited.

Formulary - The list of all covered prescription drugs.

G

Generic Drug - Duplicates of brand-name drugs made after the patent expires of the company who developed the drug. Typically, generic drugs are much less expensive than brand-name drugs. And they're just as safe and effective.

Group Insurance - Health insurance coverage offered for employees of a business.

Guaranteed Issue - Law, varying by state, requiring all insurance applicants to be accepted regardless of health condition, health history, age, or any other factor.

H

Health Insurance Quote - Health plan options provided by an automated quoting service, an agent, or an insurance company.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - A managed care plan in which members must receive care from the network of doctors, hospitals, and other care providers. They must also choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP) from the network to be their "first-line-of-defense" doctor, and to provide referrals to specialist care.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement - A designated amount of money determined by an employer to spend on their employees' health care expenses.

Health Savings Account (HSA) - A bank account where tax-free income can be saved for health care expenses. Each year unused HSA funds grow in interest. To be eligible to open an HSA, you must first enroll in a high-deductible health plan.

High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) - Plans with a deductible of at least $1,100 for individuals ($2,200 for families). Enrollment in an HDHP makes you eligible to open a Health Savings Account (HSA).

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) - Legislation that allows people to change jobs and be accepted into their new company's group health insurance plan regardless of pre-existing conditions or health history.

I

Indemnity Health Plan - See Fee For Service (FFS) plan.

Individual Health Insurance - A health plan purchased by an individual from an insurance company, not through an employer. Individual coverage can include your spouse and dependent children.

Individual Retirement Account (IRA) - An account to save money for retirement. Funds from an IRA can be moved to a Health Savings Account (HSA).

In-Network Care Providers - Any health care professional that agrees with a health plan to discount their medical services in exchange for patient referrals.

Inpatient Care - Care in which patients must stay overnight in a medical facility.

Insurability - The factors that determine if an applicant will be accepted into a health plan, including age, health history, and current health conditions.

L

Limitations - A specified limit on the benefits paid for a certain medical cost.

Long-Term Care - Care intended to nurse a patient back to health over an extended period of time. Can include unskilled care, skilled nursing care, and custodial care.

M

Major Medical Insurance - Insurance that provides coverage for major and catastrophic medical care.

Managed Care - A type of health insurance that creates an agreement with a "network" of doctors, hospitals, and other care providers. The health plan provides patient referrals in exchange for discounted medical services.

Maximum Dollar Limit - The maximum dollar amount of benefits and claims that an insurance company will pay in a certain period of time.

Maximum Lifetime Benefit - The maximum dollar amount of benefits and claims an insurance company will pay in the insured's lifetime.

Medicaid - A government-sponsored program that provides health care for low-income Americans.

Medicare - A government-sponsored program that provides health care for Americans over the age of 65 and those with end-stage renal disease.

Medicare Advantage Plans - These plans provide Medicare benefits that can be purchased and received through private companies. They can also include prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance Plans - Extra insurance coverage purchased through private insurance companies to cover some of the health care costs regular Medicare does not.

Mutual Insurance Company - Insurance companies that have no public stock and are owned by the wholly by the policyholders.

N

Network - The group of doctors, physicians, hospitals, clinics, and specialists that agree with a health plan to discount their medical services in exchange for patient referrals.

O

Out-Of-Pocket Maximum (Limit) - The maximum amount of health care costs that an insured must pay out of their own pocket per year. After the out-of-pocket max is met, the plan will cover 100% of any remaining costs for the year.

Outpatient Care - Care that does not require a patient to stay overnight in a medical facility.

P

Point of Service (POS) Plan - A managed care plan that combines the benefits of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). Like an HMO, POS plans require members choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP). Like a PPO, they provide coverage with any in or out-of-network health care providers.

Pre-Admission Review and Certification - Approval by a health care professional to be admitted into a medical facility.

Pre-Existing Conditions - Any health condition before coverage starts can be considered a pre-exiting condition. Insurance companies may require a waiting period before they cover costs related to that condition.

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) - A managed care plan in which members have insurance coverage with in and out-of-network doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers. Typically, members save the most on care with in-network providers.

Premium - The payment that must be made to an insurance company monthly to keep a health insurance policy in effect.

Preventive Care - Health care intended to prevent serious (or more serious) illness through routine doctor's check-ups, physicals, well-baby care, and immunizations.

Primary Care Physician (PCP) - Can include family doctors, pediatricians, internists, general practitioners, and OB/GYNs. Members of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or Point of Service (POS) plan choose a PCP as their "first-line-of-defense" doctor. They also can provide referrals for specialist care.

Provider - Includes doctors, physicians, hospitals, clinics, specialists, or any health care professional.

Q

Quote - Insurance plan options provided by an automated quoting service, an agent, or an insurance company.

R

Rider - An addition or exclusion included on an insurance policy.

Risk - An insurance company's chance of loss. Also refers to the chance of an individual becoming ill or having an accident.

S

Short-Term Disability - An illness or injury that prevents an employee from working for a period of time.

Short-Term Medical Insurance - An insurance plan that provides insurance coverage for a designated period of time - usually between one month and one year. Many individuals who purchase short-term coverage include recent college graduates and people in-between jobs.

T

Travel Insurance - Health plans that provide coverage for people while during a trip to another country.

U

Underwriter - An insurance professional that determines the premiums for applicants.

Underwriting - The process in which an insurance company or underwriter determines the amount the premiums will be for applicants.

Usual, Customary, and Reasonable Fees - The standard amount that is usually covered or charged for medical services and supplies, as recommended by health care professionals.

Utilization Review - The process in which the care of patients are monitored for cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and quality.

W

Waiting Period - Also known as the elimination period, it refers to the temporary amount of time an insured will not be covered for certain health care costs.

Waiver of Premium - An additional insurance policy that can be purchased. It waives premiums for a period of time if the insured becomes totally disabled and cannot make monthly payments.