Word of the day

Tuesday, August 19

Urgent Care

Health care that requires expedient attention, but is not severe enough to necessitate a visit to the emergency room.

Monday, August 18

High-Risk Pool

State programs aimed at offering health insurance to individuals considered uninsurable and unable to buy coverage on the individual market.

Friday, August 15

Fair Marketing

A variety of provisions relating to health insurance designed to ensure that consumers can accurately compare insurance plans.

Thursday, August 14

Medicaid Waivers

Ability of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allow a state to continue obtaining Medicaid funds when it is no longer compliant with requirements of Medicaid statute. States seek Medicaid waivers when experimenting with innovative services and payment reforms.

Wednesday, August 13

Exclusion

An item, treatment, or service not covered by an individual's insurance.

Tuesday, August 12

Open Enrollment

Time period during which employees or individual market consumers can change their insurance plans or enroll in new ones.

Monday, August 11

Out-of-Pocket Maximum

A cap on the amount of money per year that individuals might pay for health care costs, excluding the premium cost. All costs above the out-of-pocket maximum are paid by the insurance plan.

Friday, August 8

Individual Mandate

Refers to a requirement in the Affordable Care Act that all individuals obtain health insurance.

Thursday, August 7

Limited Medical Plans

Insurance plans that provide partial coverage for part-time workers who often cannot afford full insurance - often referred to as 'mini med' plans.

Wednesday, August 6

Bundling

Paying for treatment for a medical condition as a single lump sum payment rather than a per-treatment or per-provider payment.

Prosthetic Devices

Medical devices designed to replace or replicate the function of human body parts that have been injured or lost.