Primary Care Physician (PCP): A primary care physician is a healthcare provider who serves as the patient’s main point of contact for medical care. They typically provide preventive care, diagnose and treat common illnesses, and coordinate referrals to specialists when necessary.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): An HMO is a type of managed care health insurance plan that requires patients to choose a primary care physician and obtain referrals from them to see specialists. HMOs often focus on preventive care and typically have lower out-of-pocket costs but limited provider networks.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): A PPO is a type of health insurance plan that allows patients to see any healthcare provider without a referral, although using in-network providers results in lower out-of-pocket costs. PPOs offer more flexibility in choosing healthcare providers but may have higher premiums and deductibles.
Deductible: A deductible is the amount of money that the insured individual must pay out of pocket for covered healthcare services before the insurance company begins to pay.
Premium: A premium is the amount of money that the insured individual or their employer pays to the insurance company in exchange for coverage.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum: The out-of-pocket maximum is the maximum amount of money that the insured individual is required to pay for covered healthcare services during a policy period, after which the insurance company covers 100% of the costs.
Preventive Care: Preventive care includes healthcare services and screenings aimed at preventing illness, detecting diseases early, and promoting overall health and wellness. Examples include vaccinations, annual check-ups, and cancer screenings.
Electronic Health Record (EHR): An electronic health record is a digital version of a patient’s medical history that is maintained by healthcare providers and accessible across different healthcare settings.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): HIPAA is a federal law that establishes standards for the protection of individuals’ health information, including privacy, security, and electronic transactions.
These are just a few examples of common healthcare terms. The healthcare industry is vast and diverse, with many specialized terms and concepts depending on various medical specialties, healthcare settings, and regulatory frameworks
