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Affordable Care Act (ACA)

A 2010 law aimed at increasing access to health care, controlling costs, and improving quality.

Obamacare

The commonly used term for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Goals of the ACA

Decrease the number of uninsured, slow rising healthcare costs, increase quality and efficiency.

Employer-based insurance

The primary source of health insurance for most Americans after the ACA, covering 55%.

Marketplace

Platform for individuals to purchase health insurance, composed of State-Based Marketplaces and Federally Facilitated Marketplaces.

Medicaid expansion

A provision of the ACA that required states to broaden Medicaid eligibility.

Health Exchange

A system established under the ACA for consumers to buy health insurance coverage.

Contraceptive coverage

The ACA requirement that health insurance plans cover FDA-approved contraceptives.

Essential health benefits

A set of health care service categories that must be covered by certain plans under the ACA.

Preventive services

Health services aimed at disease prevention, such as screenings and immunizations.

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)

Networks of healthcare providers that coordinate patient care to improve quality and reduce costs.

Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP)

ACA program aimed at decreasing hospital readmissions for specific conditions.

Premium subsidies

Financial assistance offered through the ACA to help lower-income individuals purchase health insurance.

Individual mandate

Requirement for individuals to have health insurance or pay a tax penalty; eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Short-term, limited-duration health insurance

Insurance policies that offer limited benefits and exclude pre-existing conditions.

Navigators

Trained individuals who assist consumers with health insurance enrollment in the Marketplace.

Data Service Hub

A component of the ACA that connects various data sources for verifying eligibility for programs.

Uncompensated care

Hospital services provided to uninsured individuals that are not reimbursed.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

A 2009 stimulus act that included provisions that impacted health care reform.

Medically necessary care

Healthcare services required to prevent, diagnose, or treat an illness or injury.

Health maintenance organization (HMO)

A type of managed care organization providing a range of health services to members.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)

Health centers that provide care to underserved populations, receiving funding from the HRSA.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

A program providing health coverage to children in low-income families.

Premium

The amount paid for an insurance policy, usually monthly.

Co-pays

Out-of-pocket costs that insured individuals pay for certain services.

Cost-sharing reduction

Program that reduces the out-of-pocket costs for recipients with low income enrolled in Marketplace plans.

Self-employed health insurance

Health insurance purchased by self-employed individuals via the Marketplace.

Medicare

A federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older and for some younger individuals with disabilities.

Medicaid

A joint federal and state program providing health coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families.

Pre-existing conditions

Health issues that existed before obtaining insurance coverage; cannot be used to deny coverage under the ACA.

Scholarship programs

Programs aimed at expanding the primary care workforce by providing financial aid for education.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

Legislation that eliminated the individual mandate of the ACA.

Low-income subsidy

A program that assists eligible individuals with costs related to Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Evaluation reports on ACA programs

Studies assessing the effectiveness and economic impact of ACA initiatives.

National Health Expenditure (NHE)

A measure of total spending on healthcare in the United States.

Federal District Court ruling on ACA

Decisions made regarding the constitutionality of ACA provisions, like the individual mandate and Medicaid expansion.

King v. Burwell

A Supreme Court case that upheld premium subsidies for federal Marketplace insurance plans.

Burwell v. Hobby Lobby

A Supreme Court case ruling that allowed certain employers to refuse contraceptive coverage for religious reasons.

Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania

A Supreme Court case that exempted religious organizations from contraceptive coverage requirements.

Health systems strengthening

Efforts aimed at improving healthcare delivery and cost-effectiveness.

Ongoing ACA modifications

Changes made to the ACA post-2010; included Medicaid expansion decisions and marketplace subsidies adjustments.

Healthcare disparities

Unequal access to health coverage and care among different demographics.

Consumer protections

Regulations that ensure fairness in insurance coverage and prevent discriminatory practices.

Health care access

The ability for individuals to obtain health services when needed.

Adverse selection

A situation in which unhealthy individuals are more likely to purchase insurance, impacting overall risk.

Medicaid coverage gap

The situation of individuals potentially eligible for Medicaid but unable to qualify due to state decisions.

Charity care

Healthcare services provided for free or at reduced prices to low-income patients.

Quality of care

The degree to which health services increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes.

Health care reforms

Changes made to the healthcare system to improve care delivery and cost management.

Health care innovation

New strategies and technologies developed to enhance health care efficiency and effectiveness.

Insurance market stabilization

Measures taken to ensure the insurance marketplace remains functional and affordable.

Tax penalty

A fee imposed on individuals for failing to comply with insurance mandates.

Income verification

The process of confirming an individual's income for eligibility purposes.