Health Insurance Terms Covering HMO's, Medicare, Long-Term Care and More
Health Insurance Glossary Page 3
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HCFA (Health Care Financing Administration). The federal agency responsible for regulating Medicare.
Home Equity Loan. A loan from a bank or mortgage company based on the equity in a house; the loan can be used to provide for long-term health care or for health insurance needs.
Hospital Benefits (Inpatient). Benefits for an overnight stay in a hospital; the benefits include coverage for room, food, and nursing care.
Hospital Benefits (Outpatient). Benefits for treatment in a hospital emergency room or a hospital same-day surgery facility, or for tests performed in a hospital on an outpatient basis; claims may be covered under major medical.
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). A managed care plan that has a network of doctors, hospitals, and testing centers, and provisions such as a requirement for pre-authorization prior to specific treatments, tests, or services.
IEP. See Individualized Education Program.
Indemnity Plan. See Traditional Plan.
Individual Policy. A health insurance policy purchased individually rather than through a group.
Individualized Education Program (IEP). A plan filed with the local school district that summarizes specific educational goals for a child with a disability.
Legal Services. An agency located in each state that provides help with legal problems -- including help with health insurance issues -- for eligible individuals.
Letter of Medical Necessity. A letter from a doctor explaining the medical need for a particular treatment or procedure.
Lifetime Benefit Maximum. The maximum amount of reimbursement that an insurance policy will provide for specific benefits during a person's lifetime.
Long-term Care Insurance. An insurance policy designed to provide coverage for long-term care expenses that are not generally covered either by individual or group health insurance plans or by Medicare.
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