W

Waiting Period

A required amount of time that an individual must remain with the same employer before they are eligible for health insurance.

Waiver of Premium

A clause in a health insurance policy that if an individual becomes disabled and begins to receive disability payments, they do not need to continue to pay their insurance premiums.

Wellness Plan/Program

A plan aimed at reducing health care costs, and sustaining and improving employee health and productivity through an employment-based program.

Well-woman Examination/Visit

A preventive service or exam offered to women to review elements of their reproductive health including a breast examination, pelvic examination and a pap smear.

Withhold

A portion of payments that an insurance company does not pay to health care providers unless that particular provider keeps costs under an agreed upon amount.

Worker’s Compensation Coverage

A type of insurance that pays employees when they are injured in the line of work.

Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs)

A measure of success for a medical treatment or health intervention that looks at the life years gained but adjusted for the patient's quality of…