Health Care Financing

Primary Prevention

Focus on health promotion and illness prevention.

Health Care Systems

Methods of health care delivery and management.

Secondary Prevention

Focus on early disease detection and treatment, preventing progression of disease.

Tertiary Prevention

Focus on restoring function and decreasing disease-related complications, includes rehabilitation and palliative care.

Types of Health Care Services

Categories of health care focused on different stages of disease manifestation.

Primary Care Delivery

The first point of contact in the health care system, includes physician's offices, clinics, and community health centers.

Secondary Care

Specialized medical care usually provided in a hospital or specialist's office.

Tertiary Care

Highly specialized medical care, typically provided in hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

Private Insurance

Health coverage offered by employers, administered by private companies, and individually purchased.

Managed Care

Health care delivery system organized to manage cost, utilization, and quality; includes HMOs and PPOs.

Third Party Payer System

Health care funding system where a third party (like an insurer) pays the provider.

Deductible

The amount a policyholder must pay before the insurance company will pay for covered services.

Co-payment

A fixed amount that a patient pays for health care services, usually at the time of treatment.

Annual limits

The maximum amount that an insurance company will pay for covered services in a given year.

Fee for service

Payment model where fees are billed per unit of service provided.

Capitation

Payment arrangement where a provider is paid a pre-determined amount per person for a defined period.

Medicare

Federal health insurance program for individuals aged 65 and older, and some younger people with disabilities.

Medicaid

State and federal program that helps with medical costs for individuals with limited income and resources.

State Children’s Health Program (S-CHIP)

Program that supplements Medicaid by covering low-income children who do not qualify for Medicaid.

Veterans Health Administration

Health care system providing services to veterans, financed by the federal government.

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO)

Managed care organization that provides health services for a fixed annual fee.

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)

A type of health plan that offers greater flexibility in choosing healthcare providers.

Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPO)

Managed care plan that only covers services provided by a network of designated providers.

Hospital

A health care facility that provides treatment and care for sick or injured patients.

Acute Care Facility

Health care institution that provides short-term treatment for serious injuries or illnesses.

Rehabilitation Center

Health facility focused on helping individuals recover skills and functions after an injury or illness.

Extended Care Facility

A long-term care setting that provides medical care and assistance with daily activities.

Federal income taxes

Taxes imposed by the federal government on income earned by individuals and businesses.

Payroll taxes

Taxes taken directly from employees' paychecks to fund government programs like Medicare.

Out of pocket payments

Expenses for medical care that aren't reimbursed by insurance.

Part A of Medicare

Hospitals and skilled nursing facility insurance.

Part B of Medicare

Supplemental medical insurance covering outpatient care and preventive services.

Part C of Medicare

Medicare Advantage plans, allowing participants to receive Medicare benefits through private plans.

Part D of Medicare

Prescription drug coverage offered by private insurance companies.

Indian Health Service

Federal health program for American Indians and Alaska Natives, available on reservations.

PPACA (Obamacare)

Affordable Care Act aimed at improving access to health insurance.

Community health centers

Local health care providers that offer services regardless of patients' ability to pay.

Outpatient surgical center

Facility that provides surgical services that do not require an overnight stay.

Specialist’s office

Health care facility focusing on specific areas of medicine.

Public health service organizations

Organizations delivering health services focused on promoting health and preventing disease at a population level.

Entry point for managed care

Initial access point to the health care system for individuals seeking health services.

Rehabilitation

Therapeutic intervention to restore functionality and independence after illness or injury.

Palliative care

Specialized medical care focusing on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of serious illness.

Health Insurance Exchange

Marketplace for individuals to purchase health insurance plans, often subsidized by the government.