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Looking for more common health insurance terms? Learn common health insurance definitions for health insurance policies and health plans.
- Types of Health Insurance
There are different types of health insurance plans to fit...
- Qualifying Life Events
A significant life change, or qualifying life event such as...
- Types of Health Insurance
Nov 14, 2014 · Care for an illness, injury or condition serious enough for immediate care but not so severe as to require emergency room care. Visiting an urgent care center may be cheaper than the ER.
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Administrative services only
An employer-sponsored health insurance plan where the employer pays for the employee’s health benefits and relies on the insurance company to administer the plan only. The insurance company may process claims on behalf of the employees, but the employer typically pays the claims themselves.
Affordable Care Act
A health care law, also called Obamacare, established in 2010, that expanded affordable health insuranceaccess to individuals and families in the U.S. The ACA health insurance marketplace was launched in conjunction with the ACA, which allows eligible Americans to shop for and purchase health insurance. The health law also expanded Medicaid eligibility, allowed parents to keep their children on their health insurance until 26, prohibits lifetime monetary caps on coverage, sets annual in-netwo...
Allowed amount
The maximum amount of money a health insuranceplan pays for qualifying medical services. Alternative terms for allowed amount are “eligible expense” and “payment allowance.”
Emergency medical condition
A critical condition, including an illness, symptom or injury, that needs immediate medical treatment.
Emergency medical transportation
Transportation to a hospital or medical facility, usually via ambulance, when an individual is experiencing a medical emergency.
Emergency room care
Medical treatment received in a hospital’s emergency department when an individual needs immediate treatment for a sickness, symptom or injury they are experiencing.
Indemnity insurance
A supplemental health insurance plan that covers some of the cost of hospital stays. Most hospital indemnity insuranceplans cover hospitalizations with or without surgery, as well as intensive care and critical care hospital stays. This type of plan pays out based on the number of days you stay in the hospital.
In-network coinsurance
The percentage of the cost of a medical bill you pay when you receive treatment from a medical provider that contracts with your plan’s network. You only pay in-network coinsurance once you’ve met your deductible.
In-network copayment
The amount of money that an insured person pays for a medical service when you visit a provider that contracts with your health plan’s network. In-network copayments are generally less expensive than out-of-network copayments.
Medicaid
A federal- and state-funded health insurance program that provides benefits to low-income individuals and families, and those with disabilities. Medicaid eligibility and costs are based on income.
Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for individuals who are over age 65 and younger people with qualifying disabilities. People who are eligible can choose between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital coverage), Part B (medical coverage) and Part D (prescription coverage). Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, includes Part A and Part B and often has prescription drug benefits integrated in the plans. Private health insurance compa...
Medical debt
Medical debtis the amount of money you owe in unpaid medical bills.
Physician services
Any service that is provided by a licensed Medical Doctor (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.).
Physician-hospital organization
A group comprised of hospitals and physicians that work together to manage and coordinate patient care. The entities in a PHO may also provide covered services to the subscribers of a health insurance plan.
Point-of-service (POS) plan
A point of service (POS) is a type of health insurance plan that is a hybrid of an HMO and PPO. POS plans allow individuals to receive care in-network or out-of-network, but members are required to work with a primary care provider to get referrals for specialists. POS plans aren’t nearly as common as PPO, HMO and EPO plans.
Short-term health insurance
A health insurance plan that provides coverage for a limited time period for up to a year with the chance to extend for another two years in most states. Short-term health insuranceisn’t regulated by the ACA, so the plans aren’t required to cover essential medical benefits. Short-term plans can be cheap, but beware of limited coverage, high out-of-pocket costs when you need care. Some states don’t allow short-term health plans or limit the length of time.
Skilled nursing care
Medical services provided by a licensed nurse, sometimes under the supervision of a medical doctor. Skilled nursing care is often provided in facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals and assisted living communities, but also can be provided in your home.
Special enrollment period
A time period in which an individual is eligible to enroll in or modify a health insurance plan outside of open enrollment. To qualify for a special enrollment period(SEP), you typically must experience a qualifying life event, such as giving birth or adopting a child, switching jobs, getting married or divorced, or moving to a new state.
- Elizabeth Rivelli
Jun 21, 2023 · Understanding key health insurance terms can help you make informed decisions for you and your family. Common health insurance terms include premiums, deductibles, and copayments. Before you purchase health insurance, it’s important to understand the different types of health plans and the benefits you will receive.
Jan 30, 2024 · Discover what is health insurance and how it works. Make informed decisions for your coverage and medical expenses.
- Elizabeth Rivelli
- Everyone can benefit from health insurance. Between routine care and unexpected health issues, medical costs can add up quickly. Health insurance c...
- Health insurance and medical insurance are the same thing. If you see or hear these terms, know they are interchangeable, and refer to the same typ...
- In most states, health insurance is not a legal requirement. People in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington...
Critical illness insurance is an agreement with a life insurance company where they pay you a tax-free lump sum in the event they contract a life-threatening condition or illness.
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Sep 20, 2024 · Health insurance offsets the costs of minor medical issues and major ones, including surgeries and treatment for life-threatening ailments and debilitating conditions.
