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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Insurance coverage whereby any eligible charges are covered as any other medical expense under the provisions of the plan. Usually associated with maternity benefits.
The patient's ability to obtain medical care. The ease of access is determined by such components as the availability of medical services and their acceptability to the patient, the location of health care facilities, transportation, hours of operation and cost of care. An individual's ability to obtain appropriate health care services. Barriers to access can be financial (insufficient monetary resources), geographic (distance to providers), organizational (lack of available providers) and sociological (e.g., discrimination, language barriers). Efforts to improve access often focus on providing/improving health coverage.
The process by which an organization recognizes a program of study or an institution as meeting predetermined standards. Two organizations that accredit managed care plans are the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO).
An enrollee (subscriber) added to an existing employer group.
Processing claims according to contract.

A method of assuring that only those patients who need hospital care are admitted. Certification can be granted before admission (preadmission) or shortly after (concurrent). Length-of-stay for the patient's diagnosed problem is usually assigned upon admission under a certification program.

A health care provider or facility that is part of the HMO's network usually having formal arrangements to provide services to the HMO member.

An insurance sales office which is directed by a general agent, manager, independent agent, or company manager.

The agency of the Public Health Service responsible for enhancing the quality, appropriateness and effectiveness of health care services.

A required number of deductibles that must be met by a family unit before the family deductible is met. (i.e. An insurance company offers a $250 deductible and a 2X aggregate deductible. Under this coverage, the family must meet the equivalent of two deductibles, or $500. This can be met by any combination of family members but one person cannot satisfy the entire family deductible.)
The maximum charge for which a third party will reimburse a provider for a given service. An allowable charge is not necessarily the same as either a reasonable, customary, maximum, actual, or prevailing charge.
Maximum dollar amount assigned for a procedure based on various pricing mechanisms. Also known as a maximum allowable.
Health services provided in other than an inpatient, acute-care hospital or private practice. Examples within general health services include skilled and intermediary nursing facilities, hospice programs, and home health care. Alternate delivery systems are designed to provide needed services in a more cost-effective manner. Most of the services provided by community mental health centers fall into this category.
Health services provided without the patient being admitted. Also called outpatient care. The services of ambulatory care centers, hospital outpatient departments, physicians' offices and home health care services fall under this heading provided that the patient remains at the facility less than 24 hours. No overnight stay in a hospital is required.
Supplemental services, including laboratory, radiology, physical therapy, and inhalation therapy, that are provided in conjunction with medical or hospital care.
The beginning of an employer group's benefit year. The first day of effective coverage as contained in the policy Group Application and subsequent annual anniversaries of that date. An insured has the option to transfer from an indemnity plan (which may have maximum benefit levels) to an HMO.
A term used extensively in managed care and, to many, implies the primary process of "managing" managed care. Approval usually is used to describe treatments or procedures that have been certified by utilization review. Can also refer to the status of certain hospitals or doctors, as members of a plan. Can describe benefits or services which will be covered under a plan. Generally, approval is either granted by the managed care organization (MCO), third party administrator (TPA) or by the primary care physician (PCP), depending on the circumstances.
The date an employer group is approved with all paperwork processed and accepted. Case is considered covered by CaliforniaChoice® at this point. It is possible for a case to be approved for a retroactively coverage. The condition which exists when the person or object to be insured meets the underwriting standards of the insurer.
Limits of expenses paid by Medicare in a given area of covered service. Charges approved by payment by private health plans. Items that are likely to be reimbursed by the insurance company.
A facility or program authorized to provide health services and allowed by a given health plan to provide services stipulated in contract.
Method used when a claimant directs that payment be made directly to the health care provider by the health plan.
B
The practice of billing a patient for the fee amount remaining after insurer payment and co-payment have been made. Under Medicare, the excess amount cannot be more than 15 percent above the approved charge.
Individual who is either using or eligible to use insurance benefits, including health insurance benefits, under an insurance contract. Any person eligible as either a subscriber or a dependent for a managed care service in accordance with a contract. An individual who receives benefits from or is covered by an insurance policy or other health care financing program.
The amount beneficiaries must pay providers for Medicare-covered services. Liabilities include copayments, deductibles, and balance billing amounts. HCFA has very strict rules about health providers billing patients for their liabilities. Cost based facilities are not allowed to charge non-payment by beneficiaries to bad debt unless a clear history of collection activity is recorded.
Any provision, other than an exclusion, which restricts coverage in the Evidence of Coverage, regardless of medical necessity.
Aggregate services specifically defined by an insurance policy or HMO that can be provided to patients. The services a payer offers to a group or individual.
List of amounts an insurance plan will pay for covered health care services.
Benefits are specific areas of Plan coverage's, i.e., outpatient visits, hospitalization and so forth, that make up the range of medical services that a payer markets to its subscribers. Also, a contractual agreement, specified in an Evidence of Coverage, determining covered services provided by insurers to members.
One who represents an insured in solicitation, negotiation, or procurement of contracts of insurance, and who may render services incidental to those functions. By law, the broker may also be an agent of the insurer for certain purposes such as delivery of the policy or collection of the premium.
A number assigned by CaliforniaChoice to a broker once registered with CaliforniaChoice.
C
An arrangement under which employees may choose their own benefit structure. Sometimes these are varying benefit plans or add-ons provided through the same insurer or 3rd party administrator, other times this refers to the offering of different plans or HMOs provided by different managed care or insurance companies.
California law requiring employers with 2-19 employees to offer continued health care coverage (medical, dental, and vision) to employees and their dependents who lose coverage through qualifying events similar to Federal COBRA.
A deductible that applies to any eligible medical expenses incurred by the insured during any one calendar year.
An HMO's provider-contracting model whereby a physician is paid a flat fee per year, per subscriber who uses that particular doctor. The physician in return must treat that subscriber as often as needed. Providers are not reimbursed for services that exceed the allotted amount. The flat fee may be fixed for all members or it can be adjusted for the age and gender of the member, based on actuarial projections of medical utilization.
An insurer; an underwriter of risk, that finances health care. Also refers to any organization which underwrites or administers life, health or other insurance programs.
The deductible payable includes the portion of the deductible satisfied before the continuation coverage became effective.
A quote is considered a case when enrollment application is received at CaliforniaChoice Underwriting department. A case evolves through a life cycle of the following stages: Received, Pending, Rolled, Approved, Declined. Also may be known as a sold case.
Method designed to accommodate the specific health services needed by an individual through a coordinated effort to achieve the desired health outcome in a cost effective manner. The monitoring and coordination of treatment rendered to patients with specific diagnosis or requiring high-cost or extensive services. The process by which all health-related matters of a case are managed by a physician or nurse or designated health professional. Physician case managers coordinate designated components of health care, such as appropriate referral to consultants, specialists, hospitals, ancillary providers and services. Case management is intended to ensure continuity of services and accessibility to overcome rigidity, fragmented services, and the misutilization of facilities and resources. It also attempts to match the appropriate intensity of services with the patient's needs over time.
See definition for Case.
Health insurance that provides protection against the high cost of treating severe or lengthy illnesses or disability. Generally such policies cover all, or a specified percentage of, medical expenses above an amount that is the responsibility of another insurance policy up to a maximum limit of liability.
Outlines the terms of coverage and benefits available in a carrier's health plan.
Long term care of individuals with long standing, persistent diseases or conditions. It includes care specific to the problem as well as other measures to encourage self-care, to promote health, and to prevent loss of function.
 
The method by which an enrollee's health care service claims are reviewed prior to reimbursement. The purpose is to validate the medical necessity of the provided services and to be sure the cost of the service is not excessive.
Continued coverage of up to 18 months if an employee terminates his employment voluntarily or involuntarily (excluding misconduct cases) if the employer has 20 or more employees. Coverage for dependents can be extended for 36 months. COBRA premium payments are the sole responsibility of the insured.
The arrangement by which both the insured and the insurer share, in a specific ratio, the covered losses under a policy. (i.e. An insurer pays 80%, while patient pays 20%).
The amount of money earned or paid to an insurance agent(s) or broker(s) for selling an insurance policy. A commission is calculated as a percentage of the premium paid by the employer group(s).
Employer Group who is currently, historically or potentially covered by CaliforniaChoice.
Accurately following the government's rules on Medicare billing system requirements and other regulations. A compliance program is a self-monitoring system of checks and balances to ensure that an organization consistently complies with applicable laws relating to its business activities.
A policy designed to provide the protection offered by both a basic and major medical health insurance policy. It is generally characterized by a low deductible, a co-insurance feature, and high maximum benefits.
Review of a procedure or hospital admission done by a health care professional (usually a nurse) other than the one providing the care, during the same time frame that the care is provided. Usually conducted during a hospital confinement to determine the appropriateness of hospital confinement and the medical necessity for continued stay.
A review conducted by an internal or external auditor to determine if the current place of service is still the most appropriate to provide the level of care required by the client.
Any hospital, skilled nursing facility, extended care facility, individual, organization, or agency licensed that has a contractual arrangement with an insurer for the provision of services under an insurance contract.
Program where the cost of group coverage is shared by the employee and the employer or a union.
The right of an individual insured under a group policy to certain kinds of individual coverage, without a medical examination, upon termination of his association with the group.
A provision in most policies which allows an individual to convert their group policy to an individual policy, without evidence of insurability, if they are terminated for reasons other than their own request.
Provision regulating payments to eliminate duplicate coverage when a claimant is covered by multiple group plans. The procedures set forth in a Subscription Agreement to determine which coverage is primary for payment of benefits to Members with duplicate coverage. Used by insurers to avoid duplicate payment for losses insured under more than one insurance policy. A coordination of benefits, or nonduplication, clause in either policy prevents double payment by making one insurer the primary payer, and assuring that not more than 100 percent of the cost is covered. Standard rules determine which of two or more plans, each having COB provisions, pays its benefits in full and which becomes the supplementary payer on a claim.
A designated dollar amount that an insured must pay to a contracted provider or hospital for eligible service rendered instead of submitting claims or paying a co-insurance percentage. It usually applies to HMO or PPO plans.
The control of the overall cost of health care services within the health care delivery system. Insurance companies often penalize those who do not use cost containment (i.e. Requiring a second surgical opinion and paying a lesser benefit if a second opinion is not obtained.)
Payment method where a person is required to pay some health costs in order to receive medical care. The general set of financing arrangements whereby the consumer must pay out-of-pocket to receive care, either at the time of initiating care, or during the provision of health care services, or both. Cost sharing can also occur when an insured pays a portion of the monthly premium for health care insurance.
Four coverage types are available with CaliforniaChoice:
  • EO = Employee Only,
  • ES = Employee & Spouse,
  • EC = Employee & Child(ren),
  • EF = Employee & Family
Services provided within a given health care plan. Health care services provided or authorized by the payer's Medical Staff or payment for health care services.
A medically necessary service that is specifically provided for under the provisions of an Evidence of Coverage. A covered benefit must always be medically necessary, but not every medically necessary service is a covered benefit. For example, some elements of custodial or maintenance care, which are excluded from coverage, may be medically necessary, but are not covered.
D
Employer Group does not meet criteria(s) to receive an approval for coverage by CaliforniaChoice.
A flat amount the insured must pay before the insurance company will make any benefit payments under a policy.
Charge incurred during the last three months of a year that may be applied to the deductible and which may be carried over into the next year.
A payment process for procurement of health benefit plans whereby employers contribute a specific dollar amount toward the costs of insurance coverage for their employees. Sometimes this includes an undefined expectation of guarantee of the specific benefits to be covered.
Person covered by someone else's health plan. In a payer's policy of insurance, a person other than the subscriber eligible to receive care because of a subscriber's contract.
Person or place authorized by a health plan to provide or suggest appropriate mental health and substance abuse care.
 
When a payer declines to pay for all or part of a claim submitted for payment.
A type of product or service now being offered by many large pharmaceutical companies to get them into broader healthcare services. Bundles use of prescription drugs with physician and allied professionals, linked to large databases created by the pharmaceutical companies, to treat people with specific diseases. The claim is that this type of service provides higher quality of care at more reasonable price than alternative, presumably more fragmented, care.
An entity that provides comprehensive dental services to a particular group for a fixed fee.
Varying list of prescription drugs approved by a given health plan for distribution to a covered person through specific pharmacies. See also Formulary.
A mix and match program typically offering HMO and PPO coverage to employees of a single group.
When a person is covered under two or more health plans with the same or similar coverage.
ms of medical equipment owned or rented which are placed in the home of an insured to facilitate treatment and/or rehabilitation. DME generally consist of items which can withstand repeated use. DME is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose and is usually not useful to a person in the absence of illness or injury.
 
E
The date CaliforniaChoice sent referenced information to the Health Plan.
The date a policy's coverage of a risk goes into effective for employer group and its members. Effective dates is always the first of the month.
A digital representation of a medical bill generated by a provider or by the provider's billing agent for submission using telecommunications to a health insurance payer.
Person entitled to receive health benefits from someone else's plan.
Employee who qualifies to receive benefits.
Charges covered under a health plan.
Person who meets the qualifications of a health plan contract.
Most often used to designate the waiting period in a health insurance policy.
Non-hospital affiliated health facility that provides short-term care for minor medical emergencies or procedures needing immediate treatment.
The amount of the premium that a group member pays in a contributory group insurance plan.
Persons with the same employer or with membership in an organization in common, who are enrolled collectively in a health plan. Often, there are stipulations regarding the minimum size of the group and the minimum percentage of the group that must enroll before the coverage is available.
Any person eligible as either a subscriber or a dependent for service in accordance with a contract.
Initial process whereby new individuals apply and are accepted as members of a prepayment plan.
Quote type that provides more specific employee information for enrollment in CaliforniaChoice.
Quote type that provides more specific employee information for enrollment in CaliforniaChoice.
An insured medical plan that is very similar to an HMO. An EPO provides benefits or levels of benefits only if care is rendered by an institution and/or professional providers within a specified network (sometimes waived for emergency situations).
This 1974 Federal Act that requires persons involved with pension funds to have fiscal responsibility to ensure that investments are made with care and prudence, and that all investments are diversified to minimize risk. Self-funded medical plans are also covered under ERISA provisions.
Proof of a person's physical condition that affects acceptability for insurance or a health care contract.
A booklet provided by the carrier to the insured summarizing benefits under an insurance plan.
Either specific or aggregate stop loss coverage.
Conditions or situations not considered covered under contract or plan. Clauses in an insurance contract that deny coverage for select individuals, groups, locations, properties or risks.
An indemnity or service plan that provides benefits only if care is rendered by the institutional and professional providers with which it contracts (with some exceptions for emergency and out-of-area services).
A statement sent to covered individuals explaining services provided, amount to be billed, and payments made. A summary of benefits provided subscribers by the carrier.
A nursing or convalescent home offering skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services on a 24 hour basis.
Insurance policy provision that allows medical coverage to continue past termination of employment.
F
A preventive measure built into most group plans which limits the number of family members who must incur the out-of-pocket maximum in a given year.
A federal payment option that enables qualified providers in medically underserved areas to receive cost-based Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and allows for the direct reimbursement of nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse midwives. Many outpatient clinics and specialty outreach services are qualified under this provision which was enacted in 1989.
An HMO that agrees to follow specific federal guidelines regarding plan design, benefits, and rating structure in return for certain legal entitlements. These include federal grants for feasibility studies, federal loans or loan guarantees.
A list of maximum benefits that will be paid under a group medical contract for certain listed procedures.
Traditional method of payment for health care services where specific payment is made for specific services rendered.
Program offered by some employers in which employees may choose among a number of health care benefit options. See also Cafeteria Plan.
A plan that provides employees a choice between taxable cash and non-taxable benefits for unreimbursed health care expenses or dependent care expenses. This plan qualifies under Section 125 of the IRS Code.
A list of approved prescription drugs; a list of selected pharmaceuticals and their appropriate dosages felt to be the most useful and cost effective for patient care. Organizations often develop a formulary under the aegis of a pharmacy and therapeutics committee. In HMOs, physicians are often required to prescribe from the formulary.
System for an employers to pay for a health benefit plan. Most common methods are prospective and / or retrospective premium payment, shared risk arrangement, self-funded, or refunding products.
G
A primary care physician or managed care entity responsible for determining when and what services a patient can access and receive reimbursement for. A PCP is involved in overseeing and coordinating all aspects of a patient's medical care.
The process by which an insured can air complaints and seek remedies.
Any insurance policy or health services contract by which groups of employees (and often their dependents) are covered under a single policy or contract, issued by their employer or other group entity.
Health care plan involving contracts with physicians organized as a partnership, professional corporation, or other legal association. It can also refer to an HMO model in which the HMO contracts with one or more medical groups to provide services to members. In either case, the payer or health plan pays the medical group, which is, in turn, is responsible for compensating physicians. The medical group may also be responsible for paying or contracting with hospitals and other providers.
Requirement that health plans offer coverage to all businesses during some period each year.
H
The services and products a health plan offers.
Public or private organizations which secure health insurance coverage for the workers of all member employers. The goal of these organizations is to consolidate purchasing responsibilities to obtain greater bargaining clout with health insurers, plans and providers, to reduce the administrative costs of buying, selling and managing insurance policies.
Any individual who is covered by a high-deductible health plan may establish an HSA. Amounts contributed to an HSA belong to individuals and are completely portable. Every year the money not spent would stay in the account and gain interest tax-free, just like an IRA. Unused amounts remain available for later years (unlike amounts in Flexible Spending Arrangements that are forfeited if not used by the end of the year). Tax-advantaged contributions can be made in three ways: the individual and family members can make tax deductible contributions to the HSA even if the individual does not itemize deductions, the individual’s employer can make contributions that are not taxed to either the employer or the employee, and employers with cafeteria plans can allow employees to contribute untaxed salary through a salary reduction plan. Funds distributed from the HSA are not taxed if they are used to pay qualifying medical expenses. To encourage saving for health expenses after retirement, HSA owners between age 55 and 65 are allowed to make additional catch-up contributions ($800 in 2007) to their HSAs.
An institution that offers prepaid medical care to subscribing members. For a set fee, participants receive all their health care from the HMO's own facilities and doctors, or from independents contracted by the HMO. No benefits are provided if the insured goes out of the network. The HMO may be sponsored by the government, employer, school, hospital, credit union, insurance company and hospital-medical plans.
Full range of medical and other health related services such as physical therapy, nursing, counseling, and social services that are delivered in the home of a patient, by a provider.
Facility or program providing care for the terminally ill.
Any institution duly licensed, certified, and operated as a Hospital. In no event shall the term "Hospital" include a convalescent facility, nursing home, or any institution or part thereof which is used principally as a convalescence facility, rest facility, nursing facility, or facility for the aged.
A contractual agreement between an health plan and one or more hospitals whereby the hospital provides the inpatient services offered by the health plan.
Groups of hospitals joined together to share services and develop group purchasing programs to reduce costs. May also refer to a spectrum of contracts, agreements or handshake arrangements for hospitals to work together in developing programs, serving covered lives or contracting with payers or health plans.
A method of crediting hours worked by an employee to their individual account and then drawing out the required hours at each determination date, to establish or maintain the worker's eligibility for health insurance benefits.
I
In epidemiology, the number of cases of disease, infection, or some other event having their onset during a prescribed period of time in relation to the unit of population in which they occur. Incidence measures morbidity or other events as they happen over a period of time. Examples include the number of accidents occurring in a manufacturing plant during a year in relation to the number of employees in the plant, or the number of cases of mumps occurring in a school during a month in relation to the number of pupils enrolled in the school. It usually refers only to the number of new cases, particularly of chronic diseases. Hospitals also track certain risk management or quality problems with a system called incidence reporting.
Refers to a financial accounting of all services that have been performed but, as a result of a short period of time, have not been invoiced or recorded. Estimates of costs for medical services provided for which a claim has not yet been filed. Refers to claims which reflect services already delivered, but, for whatever reason, have not yet been reimbursed.
A benefit paid by an insurer for a loss insured under a policy.
Usually an insurance company or insurance group that provides marketing, management, claims payment and review, and agrees to assume risk for its subscribers at some pre-determined rate.
A traditional insurance policy in which payment is made for services after they are performed. The insured has freedom to choose any doctor or hospital.
An organized form of prepaid medical practice in which participating physicians remain in their independent office settings, seeing both enrollees of the IPA and private-pay patients. Participating physicians may be reimbursed by the IPA on a fee-for-service basis or a capitation basis. Sometimes thought of as an HMO model in which the HMO contracts with a physician organization that in turn contracts with individual physicians. The IPA physicians provide care to HMO members from their private offices and continue to see their fee-for-service patients.
A type of insurance plan for individuals and their dependents who are not eligible for coverage through an employer group coverage.
Case is currently covered by CaliforniaChoice.
Quote type that is directed towards the employer and requires only provides basic employee information.
A person who is hospitalized while under observation, care, diagnosis or treatment for at least 24 hours.
See Individual Practice Association below
An HMO that consists of a central administrative authority with a panel of physicians and other providers practicing in their own separate offices. Providers are typically reimbursed individually on a fee-for-service or capitation basis. Such physicians usually see both private patients and HMO members.
J
The inability of individuals to change jobs because they would lose crucial health benefits. Laws have now been enacted by congress which include continuance of benefits (COBRA) and other requirements that eliminate pre-existing clauses for those individuals who change coverage plans but have maintained continuance of coverage overall.
L
Termination of a policy upon the policyholder's failure to pay the premium within the time required.
Last generated month's premium.
Payment status for groups who have not been current in their premium payments.
Drug that the law says can only be obtained by prescription.
The maximum lifetime benefit which will be paid by the insurance company per person.
Conditions for which payable benefits are limited. Detailed information about limitations is usually found in the certificate of insurance.
Group coverage offered by CaliforniaChoice:
  • Medical
  • Life (optional)
  • Dental (optional)
  • Chiro (optional)
  • Section 125 (optional)
Insurance designed to pay for some or all of the costs of long term care.
A set of health care, personal care and social services required by persons who have lost, or never acquired, some degree of functional capacity (e.g., the chronically ill, aged, disabled, or retarded) in an institution or at home, on a long-term basis. The term is often used more narrowly to refer only to long-term institutional care such as that provided in nursing homes, homes for the retarded and mental hospitals. Ambulatory services such home health care, which can also be provided on a long-term basis, are seen as alternatives to long-term institutional care.
M
Policies designed to help offset the heavy medical expenses resulting from catastrophic or prolonged illness or injury. They generally provide benefits payments for 75 to 80 percent of most types of medical expenses above a deductible paid by the insured.
Insurance against the risk of suffering financial damage due to professional misconduct or lack of ordinary skill. Malpractice requires that the patient prove some injury and that the injury was the result of negligence on the part of the professional. A practitioner is liable for damages or injuries caused by malpractice.
A program of managed care specific to psychiatric or behavioral health care. This usually is a result of a carve-out by an insurance company or managed care organization (MCO). Reimbursement may be in the form of sub-capitation, fee for service or capitation.
Control of utilization, quality and claims using a variety of current cost containment methods. The primary goal is deliver quality healthcare in a cost effective manner.
A health plan that seeks to manage care. Generally, this involves contracting with health care providers to deliver health care services on a capitated (per-member per-month) basis. (For specific types of managed care organizations, see also health maintenance organization and independent practice association.
A health plan that uses managed care arrangements and has a defined system of selected providers that contract with the plan. Enrollees have a financial incentive to use participating providers that agree to furnish a broad range of services to them. Providers may be paid on a pre-negotiated basis.
Providers whose services must be included in coverage offered by a health plan. These mandates can be required by state or federal law.
Providers whose services must be included in coverage offered by a health plan. These mandates can be required by state or federal law.
The maximum amount payable under a health plan. The three types of limits are defined, per cause maximum (disability), and all causes maximum. The Defined limit is the maximum amount the plan will pay for covered medical expenses. The Per Cause limit applies separately to each accident or illness incurred by a covered person. For example, if a covered person under a per cause plan is receiving treatment for both a psychiatric illness and a heart condition, the overall maximum limit would apply separately to each. Often separate dollar limits are applied for psychiatric causes only in terms of maximum limits per year or a lower lifetime maximum for psychiatric causes. The All Causes limit applies to all covered expenses incurred by a covered person or persons during a specified period of coverage.
An account in which individuals can accumulate contributions to pay for medical care or insurance. Some states give tax-preferred status to MSA contributions, but such contributions are still subject to federal income taxation. The MSA differs from the Medical reimbursement account, sometimes called flexible benefits or Section 115 account, in that it need not be associated with an employer. The MSA is not currently recognized in federal statute.
An organized group of physicians, usually from one hospital, into an entity able to contract with others for the provision of services. See also Management Services Organization and MSO.
Services or supplies which meet the following tests: They are appropriate and necessary for the symptoms, diagnosis, or treatment of the medical condition; They are provided for the diagnosis or direct care and treatment of the medical condition; They meet the standards of good medical practice within the medical community in the service area; They are not primarily for the convenience of the plan member or a plan provider; and They are the most appropriate level or supply of service which can safely be provided.
Private health insurance plans that supplement Medicare benefits by covering some costs not paid for by Medicare.
Psychiatrist, social worker, hospital or other facility licensed to provide mental health services.
Nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives and physicians' assistants who have been trained to provide medical services that otherwise might be performed by a physician. Midlevel practitioners practice under the supervision of a doctor of medicine or osteopathy who takes responsibility for the care they provide. Physician extender is another term for these personnel.
Hospital charges, other than room and board, such as those for x-rays, drugs, laboratory fees, and other ancillary services.
See Management Services Organization or Medical Services Organization.
Health care plan that lets employees or members choose their own plan from a group of options, such as HMO, PPO or major medical plan.
N
A non-profit organization created to improve patient care quality and health plan performance in partnership with managed care plans, purchasers, consumers, and the public sector.
Classification system for drug identification, similar to UPC code.
A schedule of fees, pre-determined and established by the carrier with each contracted provider individually, for services rendered by the provider physician or hospital. The insured will receive these fees as payment up to their coinsurance amount for claims submitted.
An affiliation of providers through formal and informal contracts and agreements. Networks may contract externally to obtain administrative and financial services. A list of physicians, hospitals and other providers who provide health care services to the beneficiaries of a specific managed care organization.
This type of HMO contracts with more than one physician group and may contract with single or multi-specialty groups as well as hospitals and other health care providers. A health plan that contracts with multiple physician groups to deliver health care to members. Generally limited to large single or multi-specialty groups. Distinguished from group model plans that contract with a single medical group, an IPA that would contract through an intermediary, and direct contract model plans that contract with individual physicians in the community.
A provider, doctor or hospital that does not sign a contract to participate in a health plan, usually which requires reduced rates from the provider. In the Medicare Program, this refers to providers who are therefore not obligated to accept assignment on all Medicare claims. In commercial plans, non-participating providers are also called out of network providers or out of plan providers. If a beneficiary receives service from an out of network provider, the health plan (other than Medicare) will pay for the service at a reduced rate or will not pay at all.
A health care provider without a contract with an insurer.
A registered nurse qualified and specially trained to provide primary care, including primary health care in homes and in ambulatory care facilities, long-term care facilities, and other health care institutions. A nurse practitioner will function under the supervision of a physician but not necessarily in his or her presence.
O
Occupational health programs include employer activities undertaken to protect and promote the health and safety of employees in the workplace, including minimizing exposure to hazardous substances, evaluating work practices and environments to reduce injury, and reducing or eliminating other health threats. Many health providers offer occupational health consultations as well as occupational health screenings, treatments and case management. Employers and health providers often enter agreements whereby health providers will provide these services as well as the related workers compensation case management and rehabilitation programs.
A person within a managed care organization or a person outside of the health care system (such as an appointee of the state) who is designated to receive and investigate complaints from beneficiaries about quality of care, inability to access care, discrimination, and other problems that beneficiaries may experience with their managed care organization. This individual often functions as the beneficiary's advocate in pursuing grievances or complaints about denials of care or inappropriate care.
Health plan members' abilities, rights or invitation to self-refer for specialty care.
Benefits supplied to a patient by a payer or managed care organization when the patient needs services while outside the geographic area of the network. MCOs often attempt to negotiate a case by case discount with providers when patients utilize their services while out of area.
With most HMOs, a patient cannot have any services reimbursed if provided by a hospital or doctor who is not in the network. With PPOs and other managed care organizations, there may exist a provision for reimbursement of out of network providers. Usually this will involve a higher copay or a lower reimbursement.
A health care provider with whom a managed care organization does not have a contract to provide health care services. Because the beneficiary must pay either all of the costs of care from an out-of-network provider or their cost-sharing requirements are greatly increased, depending on the particular plan a beneficiary is in, out-of-network providers are generally not financially accessible to Medicaid beneficiaries.
Portion of health services or health costs that must be paid for by the plan member, including deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance.
Medical expenses which an insured is required to pay up to a certain amount. Once the maximum is satisfied, the insurance company will pay 100% of all eligible expenses. Out-of-pocket maximum may include the deductible.
Care given a person who is not bedridden. Also called ambulatory care. Many surgeries and treatments are now provided on an outpatient basis, while previously they had been considered reason for inpatient hospitalization.
P
The inpatient portion of benefits under the Medicare Program, covering beneficiaries for inpatient hospital, home health, hospice, and limited skilled nursing facility services. Beneficiaries are responsible for deductibles and copayments.
The outpatient benefits of Medicare. Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) under Part B of Title XVII of the Social Security Act covers Medicare beneficiaries for physician services, medical supplies, and other outpatient treatment. Beneficiaries are responsible for monthly premiums, copayments, deductibles, and balance billing. Part B services are financed by a combination of enrollee premiums and general tax revenues.
A primary care physician in practice in the payer's managed care service area who has entered into a contract.
A provider under contract with a health plan. A physician or hospital that has agreed to provide services for a set payment provided by a payer, or who agrees to other arrangements, or who agrees to provide services to a set of covered lives or defined patients. Also refers to a provider or physician who signs an agreement to accept assignment on all Medicare claims for one year.
Any provider licensed in the state of provision and contracted with an insurer. Usually this refers to providers who are a part of a network. That network would be a panel of participating providers. Each payer assembles their own provider panels.
The dollar amount which an insured is legally obligated to pay for services rendered by a provider.
Primary care physician who often acts as the primary gatekeeper in health plans.
A reimbursement system for healthcare providers of primary care services who receive a pre-payment every month. The payment amount is based on age, sex and plan of every member assigned to that physician for that month.
The mechanism used by the medical staff to evaluate the quality of total health care provided by the Managed Care Organization. The evaluation covers how well services are performed by all health personnel and how appropriate the services are to meet the patients' needs.
An item that requires followup from group before case is reviewed by CaliforniaChoice Underwriting
An organization representing hospitals and physicians as an agent. A legal entity formed by a hospital and a group of physicians to further mutual interests and to achieve market objectives. A PHO generally combines physicians and a hospital into a single organization for the purpose of obtaining payer contracts. It is typically owned and governed jointly by a hospital and shareholder physicians.
A term often used to describe the management unit with responsibility to run and control a managed care plan - includes accounting, billing, personnel, marketing, legal, purchasing, possibly underwriting, management information, facility maintenance, servicing of accounts. This group normally contracts for medical services and hospital care.
The document that contains all of the provisions, conditions, and terms of operation of a pension or health or welfare plan. This document may be written in technical terms as distinguished from a summary plan description (SPD) which, under ERISA, must be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average plan participant.
An HMO where the physicians share a central facility.
Requirement that health plans guarantee continuous coverage without waiting periods for persons moving between plans. This involves the issuance of a certificate of coverage from previous health plan to be given to new health plan. Under this requirement, a beneficiary who changes jobs is guaranteed coverage with the new plan, without a waiting period or having to meet additional deductible requirements. Primarily, this refers to the requirement that insurers waive any pre-existing condition exclusion for beneficiaries previously covered through other insurance.
A managed care plan that includes the option for an insured to self-refer themselves out of a managed care network, triggering indemnity-style benefit provisions.
Similar to an indemnity plan, but with a network of physicians, the insured is allowed to choose a doctor or hospital from a preferred provider list, which are doctors and hospitals who have agreed to group pricing and will follow the procedures and policies of the plan, or any other non-network provider. Lower fees are arranged with the network of providers, giving a financial incentive to stay within the network. A higher cost or co-pay is generally required for medical services obtained from outside sources.
Practical nurses, also known as vocational nurses, provide nursing care and treatment of patients under the supervision of a licensed physician or registered nurse. Licensure as a licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.) or in California and Texas as a licensed vocational nurse (L.V.N.), is required.
A screening process with the insured or doctor that is required by insurers before authorizing non-emergency hospitalization. The insured is often required to initiate this review via a phone call in order to avoid a reduction of benefit or an additional deductible.
In individual health, it refers to an injury or sickness that occurred before the policy was issued, and that was not reported on the application. For group medical insurance, it refers to any care received by an individual during a specified period of time immediately before the policy effective date. AB 1672 specifies this period of time as six months.
The invoice for the first month of coverage premium reflecting deposits made and balance due.
The coverage month for which the premium is invoiced.
Health care that emphasizes prevention, early detection and early treatment, presumably reducing the costs of healthcare in the long run.
Basic or general health care usually rendered by general practitioners, family practitioners, internists, obstetricians and pediatricians -- who are often referred to as primary care practitioners or PCPs.
A generalist, such as a family practitioner, pediatrician, internist, or obstetrician. In a managed care organization, a primary care physician is accountable for the total health services of enrollees including referrals, procedures and hospitalization.
Plan that pays its expenses without consideration of other plans, under coordination of benefits rules.
The amount paid to each physician monthly for services based on the age, sex and number of the members selecting that physician.
A formal process requiring a provider obtain approval to provide particular services or procedures before they are done. This is usually required for nonemergency services that are expensive or likely to be abused or overused. A managed care organization will identify those services and procedures that require prior authorization.
The date an event was processed by CaliforniaChoice.
Usually refers to a hospital or doctor who provides care. A health plan, managed care company or insurance carrier is not a healthcare provider. Those entities are called payers. The lines are blurred sometimes, however, when providers create or manage health plans. At that point, a provider is also a payer. A payer can be provider if the payer owns or manages providers, as with some staff model HMOs.
This entity not only pays the premium, but also controls the premium dollar before paying it to the provider. Included in the category of purchasers or payers are patients, businesses and managed care organizations. While patients and businesses function as ultimate purchasers, managed care organizations and insurance companies serve a processing or payer function.
Q
Activities and programs intended to assure the quality of care in a defined medical setting. Such programs include peer or utilization review components to identify and remedy deficiencies in quality. The program must have a mechanism for assessing its effectiveness and may measure care against pre-established standards.
CaliforniaChoice assigns a number to each quote requested.
R
Date received at CaliforniaChoice.
The process of sending a patient from one practitioner to another for health care services. Health Plans may require that designated primary care providers authorize a referral for coverage of specialty services.
Medical Services arranged for by the physician and provided outside the physician's office other than Hospital Services.
Registered nurses are responsible for carrying out the physician's instructions. They supervise practical nurses and other auxiliary personnel who perform routine care and treatment of patients. Registered nurses provide nursing care to patients or perform specialized duties in a variety of settings from hospital and clinics to schools and public health departments. A license to practice nursing is required in all states. For licensure as a registered nurse (R.N.), an applicant must have graduated from a school of nursing approved by the state board for nursing and have passed a state board examination.
Continuance of coverage for a new policy term.
The anniversary of the group's enrollment date, when employees are allowed to make coverage changes.
A period of time when eligible subscribers may elect to enroll in, or transfer between, available programs that are providing health care coverage. Under an renewal requirement, a plan must accept all who apply during a specific period each year.
The date an employer group has requested a quote for coverage with CaliforniaChoice. It is not necessarily the coverage effective date since quotes may be declined or effective dates may be rolled.
Insurance coverage that provides for premium determination at the end of the coverage period, subject to a minimum and maximum based upon actual experience.
The chance or possibility of loss. For example, physicians may be held at risk if hospitalization rates exceed agreed upon thresholds. Potential financial liability, particularly with respect to who or what is legally responsible for that liability. With insurance, risk is shared by the patient and insurance company but the company's risk is limited by the policy's dollar limitations. In HMO's, the patient is at risk only for copayments and the cost of non-covered services. The HMO, however, with its income fixed, is at risk for whatever volume of care is entailed, however costly it turns out to be. Providers may also bear risk if they are paid a fixed amount (capitation) by the HMO. The sharing of risk is often employed as a utilization control mechanism within the HMO setting. Risk is also defined in insurance terms as the possibility of loss associated with a given population.
Occurrence when a disproportionate share of high or low users of care join a health plan.
An organization that assumes financial responsibility for the provision of a defined set of benefits by accepting prepayment for some or all of the cost of care. A risk-bearing entity may be an insurer, a health plan or self-funded employer; or a PHO or other form of PSN. Health plans (except under employer self-insured programs) usually are risk bearing. Providers and provider organizations, if capitated, can also be risk bearing. There are 2 types of risk: insurance risk and business risk, each calculated and considered separately.
When an employer group has not met the requirements after the case has been reviewed by CaliforniaChoice Underwriting, the case's requested effective date is rolled to the next month's effective date.
S
Reprimand of a provider by a health plan.
Insurance provided by the state against short term loss of income should an employee become disabled and unable to work. The amount of coverage is determined by the state as an actual average value of income for the position held to a flat maximum dollar amount.
Services provided by medical specialists who generally do not have first contact with patients (e.g., cardiologist, urologists, dermatologists).
Health plan that pays costs not covered by primary coverage under coordination of benefits rules. Also any insurance that supplements Medicare coverage. The three main sources for secondary insurance are employers, privately purchased Medigap plans, and Medicaid.
A federal law which enables the employee to have fringe benefits, such as child care, medical cost reimbursements, or any part of employee-borne premiums, deducted from his paycheck with pre-tax dollars.
An adverse health event that may have been avoided through appropriate care or alternate interventions. Providers are required to alert JCAHO and often state licensing authorities of all sentinel events, including a review of risk factors, preventative measures and case analysis.
The required number of family members who must meet the deductible separately before the family deductible is satisfied. (For example, an insurance company offers a $250 deductible and a 2X separate deductible. If a family takes the coverage, two family members must each satisfy the $250 deductible before the family deductible will be satisfied).
Developed by the United States government in to classify businesses according to their primary type of activity. CaliforniaChoice life insurance rates are determined by the employer group's SIC.
A licensed institution, as defined by Medicare, which is primarily engaged in the provision of skilled nursing care. SNFs are usually DRG or PPS exempt and are located within hospitals, but, sometimes are located in rehab facilities or nursing homes.
The insurance market for products sold to groups that are smaller than a specified size, typically employer groups. The size of groups included usually depends on state insurance laws and thus varies from state to state, with less than 50 employees the most common size.
A term used in Medicaid for persons whose income and assets are above the threshold for the state's designated medically needy criteria, but are below this threshold when medical expenses are factored in. The amount of expenditures for health care services, relative to income, that qualifies an individual for Medicaid in States that cover categorically eligible, medically indigent individuals. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.
A model in which the HMO hires its own physicians. All premiums and other revenues accrue to the HMO, which, in turn, compensates physicians. Very much like the group model, except the doctors are employees of the HMO. Generally, all ambulatory health services are provided under one roof in the staff model.
A referral to a specialist provider that covers routine visits to that provider. It is a common practice to permit the gatekeeper to make referrals for only a limited number of visits (often 3 or fewer). In cases where the medical condition requires regular visits to a specialist, this type of referral eliminates the need to return to the gatekeeper each time the initial referral expires.
A quarterly report that must be filed by all businesses with the state. Most California carriers require this report to verify eligibility for coverage.
Procedure where insurance company recovers from a third party when the action resulting in medical expense (e.g. auto accident) was the fault of another person. The recovery of the cost of services and benefits provided to the insured of one health plan when other parties are liable.
Person responsible for payment of premiums, or person whose employment is the basis for membership in a health plan.
A written agreement that describes the individual's health care policy.
In self-funded plans, a written explanation of the eligibility for and benefits available to employees as required by ERISA.
Any private health insurance plan held by a Medicare beneficiary or commercial beneficiary, including Medigap policies and post-retirement health benefits. Supplemental usually pays the deductible or co-pay and sometimes will pay the entire bill when the primary carrier's benefits are exhausted.
Part B of the Medicare program. Part B normally covers the outpatient services, as opposed to Part A which covers inpatient. This voluntary program requires payment of a monthly premium, which covers 25 percent of pro-ram costs. Beneficiaries are responsible for a deductible and coinsurance payments for most covered services. See also Part B.
Optional services a health plan covers or provides.
T
Refers to a transfer of coverage from a prior group medical plan to a new group medical plan. Unless otherwise stated or limited by dollar amount, the benefit provides that employees covered under a prior group plan shall not be required to satisfy a pre-existing waiting period, subject to the employee's time under the prior plan, and shall have continuous coverage from one plan to the next. Full takeover would be continuous with no restrictions; partial takeover usually specifies a limit as to how much the insurance company will pay for any pre-existing conditions. AB 1672 provides full takeover for an insured who is with coverage for no more than 30 days when replacing an existing insurance plan or no more than 180 days if employment or an employer-sponsored health plan is terminated.
The use of telecommunications (i.e., wire, radio, optical or electromagnetic channels transmitting voice, data and video) to facilitate medical diagnosis, patient care, and/or medical learning. Many rural area are finding uses for telemedicine in providing oncology, home health, ER, radiology and psychiatry among others. Medicaid and Medicare provide some limited reimbursement for certain services provided to patients via telecommunication.
Date that a group contract expires or an individual is no longer eligible for benefits. Termination date is always the last day of the calendar month.
Services provided by highly specialized providers such as neurosurgeons, thoracic surgeons and intensive care units. These services often require highly sophisticated technology and facilities.
Drug products that provide the same pharmacological or chemical effect in equivalent doses.
Any organization, public or private, that pays or insures health or medical expenses on behalf of beneficiaries or recipients. An individual pays a premium for such coverage in all private and in some public programs; the payer organization then pays bills on the individual's behalf.
Payment by a financial agent such as an HMO, insurance company or government rather than direct payment by the patient for medical care services. The payment for health care when the beneficiary is not making payment, in whole or in part, in his own behalf.
The individual or firm responsible for the administration of a group insurance plan. This may include accounting, sales, underwriting, certificate of issue and claims settlement without financial responsibility for the risk.
A multi-option plan that typically offers HMO, PPO and indemnity options.
U
Charges that do not exceed the amount customarily charged for the service by other physicians or hospitals in the area or are otherwise reasonable.
People with public or private insurance policies that do not cover all necessary health care services, resulting in out-of-pocket expenses that exceed their ability to pay.
Process of selecting, classifying, analyzing and assuming risk according to insurability. The insurance function bearing the risk of adverse price fluctuations during a particular period. Analysis of a group that is done to determine rates or to determine whether the group should be offered coverage at all.
People who lack public or private health insurance.
The right and ability to receive a comprehensive, uniform, and affordable set of confidential, appropriate, and effective health services. Universal service is a reality in countries with national medicine programs or socialized healthcare, such as the UK, Canada, and France.
A type of government sponsored health plan which would provide healthcare coverage to all citizens.
Benefits covered in an Evidence of Coverage that are required in order to prevent serious deterioration of an insured's health that results from an unforeseen illness or injury.
Use of services and supplies. Utilization is commonly examined in terms of patterns or rates of use of a single service or type of service such as hospital care, physician visits, prescription drugs. Measurement of utilization of all medical services in combination is usually done in terms of dollar expenditures. Use is expressed in rates per unit of population at risk for a given period such as the number of admissions to the hospital per 1,000 persons over age 65 per year, or the number of visits to a physician per person per year for an annual physical.
A method of quality control used by an insurer to analyze a case before, during or after the fact to see if the treatment given was necessary and appropriate.
W
A period of time which must elapse before a new employee is eligible to enroll in the company's group insurance plan.
Status given to case for two reasons:
  • Group does not submit requested pending items to complete the review process in CaliforniaChoice Underwriting or,
  • Broker asks to withdraw the case from CaliforniaChoice.
Government-mandated insurance that provides benefits to employees and their dependents if the employees suffer job-related injury, disease or death.
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SUPPORT
Address

721 South Parker, Suite 200
Orange, CA 92868

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PT

Customer Service

Phone: (800) 558-8003
Fax: (714) 558-8000
Email: CustomerService@CalChoice.com

Sales

Phone: (800) 542-4218
Fax: (800) 500-9088
Email: Sales@CalChoice.com

Department of Insurance License

#0B42994

More ways to contact us Frequently Asked Questions Glossary of Terms
Close