Personal Health Care

Health Insurance Premium

This represents an amount of money an individual has to pay on a regular, recurring basis in order to maintain his or her health care benefits.

Health Insurance Fixed Indemnity

This represents a cap set by insurance companies that limits the amount of money they have to pay towards a certain procedure or medical service.

Compliance

This refers to how well a patient follows the instructions provided by a doctor. This can be poor if a patient is unwilling to listen or if instructions are bad.

Point of Service (POS) Plan

Individuals with this kind of health care plan can stay in network or go out of network and get partial coverage.

Medicare

A health insurance program that is designed for individuals over the age of 65. This program gets its funding from the federal government.

GRAS / GRAE / GRASE (Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective)

We use this term when referring to certain older drugs that can be sold and used to treat conditions that don't require medical advice or supervision. You can buy them over the counter.

Physical Exam

A test conducted by doctors to assess a patient's general health. These are generally conducted yearly to check for any health problems that might develop without your awareness.

Health Insurance Copay

A term used to describe the out-of-pocket payment you make for medical care at the time of your appointment. This is a fixed rate.

Health Insurance Exclusions

These are specific health services or procedures that are not covered by an insurance policy. Chiropractic care can be a common example.

Coinsurance

The amount of money you have to pay for any medical procedures after you meet your yearly deductible. The insurance pays the listed percentage and then you pay the difference.

Health Insurance Deductible

Individuals must pay this amount of money on their own before their health insurance begins to cover health care services.

Percussion

Doctors tap your body during this procedure, which usually takes place during a physical exam. It allows doctors to see if there are any abnormalities in your organs.

Managed Care Plan

Health insurance programs of this type attempt to offer the best care for the least amount of money. PPOs and HMOs are examples of this kind of plan.

Methods that allow a prescription drug to be sold over the counter

Completion of a drug application to allow OTC sales
Decisions by the FDA that conclude the drug is safe for OTC sales
Integration of ingredients that are seen as effective and safe

Sources for accurate health care information

Volunteer agencies that are reputable
Primary care providers
Government agencies

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

A health care plan that is prepaid and only covers care that you get within network. You need a referral from your primary physician to visit specialists with this plan.

Factors that prevent a prescription drug from being sold over the counter

Designed to treat conditions that usually can't be self-diagnosed or treated without medical advice
High amounts of toxicity
Use results in the formation of a habit

Medicaid

Individuals who don't make enough money to pay for healthcare can use this program, which gets funding from the state and federal government.

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)

With this health care plan, you can visit any provider, but will pay higher amounts if you go out of your network. You don't need to get a referral for a specialist with this plan.