Health Insurance Glossary

Health Insurance Glossary Of Terms

Coinsurance

The amount you are required to pay for medical care in a fee-for-service health insurance plan after you have met your deductible. The coinsurance rate is usually expressed as a percentage. For example, if the health insurance company pays 80 percent of the claim, you pay 20 percent.

Coordination Of Benefits

A system to eliminate duplication of benefits when you are covered under more than one group health insurance plan. Benefits under the two plans usually are limited to no more than 100 percent of the claim.

Co-Payment

Another way of sharing medical costs. You pay a flat fee every time you receive a medical service (for example, $5 for every visit to the doctor). The health insurance company pays the rest.

Covered Expenses

Most health insurance plans, whether they are fee-for-service, HMOs, or PPOs, do not pay for all services. Some may not pay for prescription drugs. Others may not pay for mental health care. Covered services are those medical procedures the insurer agrees to pay for. They are listed in the policy.

Deductible

The amount of money you must pay each year to cover your medical care expenses before your health insurance policy starts paying.

Exclusions

Specific conditions or circumstances for which the health insurance policy will not provide benefits.

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

Prepaid health insurance plans. You pay a monthly premium and the HMO covers your doctors' visits, hospital stays, emergency care, surgery, checkups, lab tests, x-rays, and therapy. You must use the doctors and hospitals designated by the HMO.

Managed Care

Ways to manage costs, use, and quality of the health care system. All HMOs and PPOs, and many fee-for-service plans, have managed care.

Maximum Out-Of-Pocket

The most money you will be required pay a year for deductibles and coinsurance. It is a stated dollar amount set by the health insurance company, in addition to regular premiums.

Non-Cancellable Policy

A policy that guarantees you can receive health insurance, as long as you pay the premium. It is also called a guaranteed renewable policy.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

A combination of traditional fee-for-service and an HMO. When you use the doctors and hospitals that are part of the PPO, you can have a larger part of your medical bills covered. You can use other doctors, but at a higher cost.

Pre-Existing Condition

A health problem that existed before the date your health insurance became effective.

Premium

The amount you or your employer pays in exchange for health insurance coverage.

Primary Care Physician

Usually your first contact for health care. This is often a family physician or internist, but some women use their gynecologist.

A primary care doctor monitors your health and diagnoses and treats minor health problems, and refers you to specialists if another level of care is needed.

Provider

Any person (doctor, nurse, dentist) or institution (hospital or clinic) that provides medical care.

Third-Party Payer

Any payer for health care services other than you. This can be a health insurance company, an HMO, a PPO, or the Federal Government.

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