Common Insurance Terms Defined
The following common terms are often used by insurance companies to define policies, but this information is not meant to substitute the language used in your individual policy. Make use of the toll-free number on your insurance card to find out your policy benefits in detail from your insurance company.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) 10 covered benefits that are required:
- Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital).
- Emergency Services
- Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays).
- Pregnancy and newborn care (both before and after birth)
- Mental health and substances use disorder service, including behavioral health treatment, counseling, and psychotherapy
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
- Laboratory Services
- Preventative and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care
ACA Compliant
In this video, we will explain the Affordable Care Act and Health Insurance Marketplace, including information about how you can get financial help paying for health insurance, what types of health care services are covered by Marketplace plans and when you can enroll you and your family.
Co-insurance
The amount you are required to pay for medical care in a fee-for-service plan after you have met your deductible. The co-insurance rate is usually expressed as a percentage. For example, if the health insurance company pays 80% of the claim, you pay 20%.
Coordination of Benefits
A system to eliminate duplication of benefits when you are covered under more than one group plan. Benefits under the two plans usually are limited to no more than 100% 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, $20 for a visit to the doctor) and the health insurance company pays the rest. Be aware that for pharmacy charges, this
expense occurs for every 30-day supply of medication. Getting a 90-day supply at once will require three co-payments.
Covered Expenses
Most health insurance plans, whether they are fee-for-service, HMO or PPO, do not pay for all services. Some may not pay for certain 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 health insurance policy.
Customary Fee
Most health insurance plans will pay only what they call a reasonable and customary fee for a particular service. If your doctor charges $1,000 for a hernia repair while most doctors in the area charge only $600, you will be billed for the $400 difference in addition to the deductible and co-insurance you would be expected to pay. To avoid this additional cost, ask your doctor to accept your health insurance company’s payment as full payment, or shop around to find a doctor who will.
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 policy will not provide benefits.
Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
A statement—not a bill—sent by the health insurance company to the policy holder (student, parent or family member, depending on who bought the policy) explaining what medical treatment and/or services were paid for on their behalf. An EOB typically describes: 1) the service performed—the date of the service, the description and/or insurer’s code for the service, the name of the person or place that provided the service and the name of the patient; 2) the doctor’s fee and what the insurer allows—the amount initially claimed by the doctor or hospital, minus any reductions applied by the insurer; and 3) the amount the patient is responsible for.
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
An HMO is a prepaid health plan. You pay a monthly premium and the plan covers 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. Some insurance company policies may require you to change to a local primary care physician (PCP).
Contact your insurance company for specific details.
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 Expenses
The most money you will be required to pay per year for deductibles and co-insurance. 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 HMO. When you use the doctors and hospitals that are part of the PPO, a larger part of your medical bills can be covered. You may 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 (PCP)
Usually your first contact for health care, this is often a family physician or internist, but some women use their gynecologist. A primary care physician monitors your health and diagnoses and treats most health problems, and refers
you to specialists if another level of care is needed. In many health insurance plans, care by specialists is only paid for if you are referred by your primary care physician. An HMO or PPO plan will provide you with a list of doctors from which you will choose your primary care physician (usually a family physician, internist, obstetrician-gynecologist or pediatrician), though PPOs allow members to use primary care physicians outside their PPO network at a higher cost. Indemnity plans cover services by any doctor. Some insurance company policies may require you to change to a local primary care physician (PCP). Contact your insurance company for specific details.
Provider
Any person (doctor, nurse or 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 an insurance company, an HMO, a PPO or the federal government.
