St. Francis Health Care Centre
Elmwood Healthcare Center At the Springs
Green Springs, OH

Glossary of Health Care Terms

A compilation of health care terms and acronyms.

OHA also produces hard copies of its Glossary of Health Care Terms, which are available free of charge to member hospitals. Contact John Palmer to place an order.

The glossary is also available as a PDF document.

All Terms

View by A-Z
525 Account

The specific line item in the state budget that represents the Medicaid budget under the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Contact: 

AA

anesthesiologist assistant

Contact: 

AAHC

American Accreditation Healthcare Commission, formerly Utilization Review Accreditation Commission

Contact: 

AAHP

American Association of Health Plans

Contact: 

AAMC

Association of American Medical Colleges

Contact: 

AAPCC

average adjusted per capita cost

Contact: 

AARC

American Association of Respiratory Care

Contact: 

ACC

American College of Cardiology

Contact: 

access

A patient's ability to obtain medical care. The ease of access is determined by components such as the availablitiy of medical services and their acceptability to the patient, availablitiy of insurance, the location of health care facilities, transportation, hours of operation, affordability and cost of care.

Contact: Berna Bell

accreditation

Approval by an authorizing agency for institutions and programs that meet or exceed a set of predetermined standards.

Contact: Rosalie Weakland, RN, MSN

ACHE

American College of Healthcare Executives

Contact: 

ACS

American College of Surgeons

Contact: 

activities of daily living (ADLs)

Activities performed as part of a person's daily routine of self-care such as bathing, dressing, toileting and eating.

Contact: 

acute care

Hospital care given to patients who generally require a stay of several days that focuses on a physical or mental condition requiring immediate intervention and constant medical attention, equipment and personnel.

Contact: 

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act

Contact: 

ADC or AFDC

Aid to Families with Dependent Children

Contact: 

ADL

activities of daily living

Contact: 

AdminaStar Federal

Ohio's Medicare Part A fiscal intermediary.
www.astar-federal.com

Contact: Charles Cataline

administrative costs

Costs related to activities such as utilization review, marketing, medical underwriting, commissions, premium collection, claims processing, insurer profit, quality assurance and risk management for purposes of insurance.

Contact: 

ADN

associate degree in nursing

Contact: 

advance directive

A document that patients complete to direct their medical care when they are unable to communicate their own wishes due to a medical condition. In Ohio, do not resuscitate orders, living wills and durable powers of attorney are advance directives that are authorized by state law. (see do not resuscitate, durable power of attorney and living will)

Contact: Rick Sites, Esq.

advanced practice nurse (APN)

A registered nurse who is approved by the Board of Nursing to practice nursing in a specified area of advanced nursing practice. APN is an umbrella term given to a registered nurse who has met advanced educational and clinical practice requirements beyond the two to four years of basic nursing education required of all RNs. There are four types: 1) certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA); 2) clinical nurse specialist (CNS); 3) certified nurse practitioner (CNP); and 4) certified nurse midwife (CNM).

Contact: Rosalie Weakland, RN, MSN

adverse drug event

Any incident in which the use of medication (drug or biologic) at any dose, a medical device, or a special nutritional product may have resulted in an adverse outcome in a patient.

Contact: 

adverse event

An injury resulting from a medical intervention that is not due to the underlying condition of the patient.

Contact: 

adverse selection

Among applicants for a given group or individual health insurance program, the tendency for those with an impaired health status, or those who are prone to higher-than-average utilization of benefits, to be enrolled in disproportionate numbers in lower deductible plans.

Contact: Mary L. Gallagher, Esq.

aftercare

Services following hospitalization or rehabilitation, individualized for each patient's needs. Aftercare gradually phases the patient out of treatment while providing follow-up attention to prevent relapse.

Contact: 

AG

attorney general

Contact: 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

A federal agency within the Public Health Service responsible for research on quality, appropriateness and cost of health care. AHRQ also centralizes access to state inpatient data. www.ahrq.gov

Contact: David Engler, PhD

AHA

American Heart Association or American Hospital Association

Contact: 

AHCA

American Health Care Association

Contact: 

AHCPR

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

Contact: 

AHRQ

Agency for Health Research and Quality

Contact: 

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Contact: 

Akron Regional Hospital Association (ARHA)

A regional allied association representing hospitals and health systems in the Akron, Ohio, region. www.arha.org

Contact: 

allied health personnel

Specially trained and often licensed health workers other than physicians, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists and nurses. The term is sometimes used synonymously with paramedical personnel, which are all health workers who perform tasks that must otherwise be performed by a physician, or health workers who do not usually engage in independent practice.

Contact: 

allopathic

One of two schools of medicine that treat disease by inducing effects opposite to those produced by the disease. The other school of medicine is osteopathic.

Contact: 

allowable costs

Charges for services rendered or supplies furnished by a health provider that qualify as covered expenses for insurance purposes.

Contact: 

ALOS

average length of stay

Contact: 

alternative delivery

An alternative to traditional inpatient care system such as ambulatory care, home health care and same-day surgery.

Contact: 

alternative medicine

Treatment procedures that are not supported by mainstream medicine, often due to lack of supporting experimental data.

Contact: 

Am.

Amended. A designation sometimes found before a House or Senate bill number showing that formal changes have been made to an introduced piece of legislation during the legislative process.

Contact: 

AMA

American Medical Association

Contact: 

ambulance restocking

The practice of a hospital replenishing certain drugs and supplies used by an ambulance service during transport of a patient to the hospital.

Contact: 

ambulatory care

Care given to patients who do not require overnight hospitalization.

Contact: 

ambulatory patient group (APG)

The Medicare program's prospective payment system for outpatient services and procedures. Each APG is a classified medical service or procedure. Unlike diagnosis related group reimbursement for inpatient care, where medical events are condensed into one diagnostic related group, an outpatient visit can combine several different APGs.

Contact: Charles Cataline

ambulatory payment classification (APC)

Groups or groupings of medical procedures and services used as a basis for reimbursement under the Medicare outpatient prospective payment system.

Contact: Charles Cataline

ambulatory setting

An institutional health setting in which organized health services are provided on an outpatient basis, such as a surgery center, clinic or other outpatient facility. Ambulatory care settings also may be mobile units of service (e.g., mobile mammography, MRI).

Contact: 

ambulatory surgical facility

see freestanding outpatient surgical center

Contact: 

American Accreditation Healthcare Commission (AAHC)

An independent not-for-profit corporation that develops national standards for utilization review and managed care organizations. www.urac.org

Contact: Rosalie Weakland, RN, MSN

American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)

An international professional society of nearly 30,000 health care executives based in Chicago. www.ache.org

Contact: 

American Health Care Association (AHCA)

A trade association representing nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the U.S. based in Washington, D.C. www.ahca.org

Contact: 

American Hospital Association (AHA)

A national association that represents allopathic and osteopathic hospitals in the U.S. AHA is based in Washington, D.C., with operational offices in Chicago. www.aha.org

Contact: David Engler, PhD, Jonathan Archey, NREMT-B

American Medical Association (AMA)

A national association organized into local and regional societies that represents over 700,000 medical doctors in the United States. AMA is based in Chicago. www.ama-assn.org

Contact: 

American Osteopathic Association (AOA)

A national association organized into local and regional societies that represents over 43,000 osteopathic physicians in the United States. AOA is based in Chicago and also provides accreditation for hospitals and colleges of osteopathic medicine. www.osteopathic.org

Contact: 

American Society For Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)

An organization for clinical laboratory science practitioners, providing leadership and promoting all aspects of clinical laboratory science practice, education and management to ensure cost-effective laboratory services for health care consumers. www.ascls.org

Contact: 

Americans With Disabilies Act (ADA)

A federal law that prohibits employers of more than 25 employees from discriminating against any individual with a disability who can perform the essential functions, with or without accommodations, of the job that the individual holds or wants. www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Contact: Mary L. Gallagher, Esq., Nancy Engbers Falk, Esq.

AMI

acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Contact: 

ancillary

A term used to describe additional services performed related to care, such as lab work, X-ray and anesthesia.

Contact: 

Annual Hospital Registration and Planning Report

An annual report of health care statistics that hospitals are required by law to file with the Ohio Department of Health.

Contact: 

anti-kickback statute

A federal law that prohibits the paying or receiving of remuneration in exchange for the referral of patients or business paid by a federal health care program.

Contact: Mary L. Gallagher, Esq.

antitrust

A situation in which a single entity, such as an integrated delivery system, controls enough of the practices in any one specialty in a relevant market to have monopoly power (e.g., the power to increase prices).

Contact: Mary L. Gallagher, Esq.

any willing provider

A term used to describe legislation requiring a health plan to accept on its provider panels every physician, hospital or other practitioner that wants to participate in the health plan’s products.

Contact: 

AOA

American Osteopathic Association

Contact: 

AONE

American Organization of Nurse Executives

Contact: 

AOPHA

Association of Ohio Philanthropic Homes, Housing and Services for the Aging

Contact: 

APC

ambulatory payment classification

Contact: 

APG

ambulatory patient group

Contact: 

APN

advanced practice nurse

Contact: 

approved health care facility or program

A facility or program that is licensed, certified or otherwise authorized pursuant to the laws of the state to provide health care and that is approved by a health plan to provide the care described in a contract.

Contact: 

ARHA

Akron Regional Hospital Association

Contact: 

ASAE

American Society of Association Executives

Contact: 

ASC

ambulatory surgical center

Contact: 

ASPR

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response

Contact: 

associate degree in nursing (ADA)

A degree received after completing a two-year nursing education program at a college or university that qualifies a nurse to take a national licensing exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse.

Contact: 

attorney general

Chief law enforcement officer of a state, responsible for advising the state or nation of legal matters.

Contact: Mary L. Gallagher, Esq.

average adjusted per capita cost (AAPCC)

Payment rates used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reimburse managed care organizations for care delivered to Medicare enrollees.

Contact: 

average length of stay (ALOS)

A standard hospital statistic used to determine the average amount of time between admission and departure for patients in a diagnosis related group, an age group, a specific hospital or other factors.

Contact: 

avian (or bird) flu

Caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available. (see also seasonal flu and pandemic flu)

Contact: Carol Jacobson

bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)

A degree received after completing a four-year college or university program that qualifies a graduate nurse to take a national licensing exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse.

Contact: Rosalie Weakland, RN, MSN

bad debt

Results when patients do not pay bills for which payment was expected. It occurs for a variety of reasons, such as when uninsured patients have incomes above the guidelines for charity care, but still cannot afford the cost of their care.

Contact: Charles Cataline

balance billing

A provider's billing of a covered person directly for charges above the amount reimbursed by the health plan. This may or may not be allowed, depending upon the contractual arrangements between the parties.

Contact: 

Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA)

A federal law enacted by U.S. Congress that makes numerous changes to various titles of the Social Security Act, contains significant changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and creates a new Title XXI, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Payment reductions and other changes enacted under the BBA likely will continue to be the focus of advocacy efforts for hospitals and other providers throughout the early 21st century.

Contact: 

Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (BBRA)

A federal law enacted by U.S. Congress that restores an estimated $17 billion to the Medicare program. The law provides relief for hospitals, and includes special packages for rural and teaching hospitals, nursing homes and home health agencies.

Contact: 

BBA

Balanced Budget Act of 1997

Contact: 

BBRA

Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999

Contact: 

BC/BS

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

Contact: 

behavioral health care

Mental health services, including services for alcohol and substance abuse.

Contact: Berna Bell

beneficiary

A person designated by an insuring organization as eligible to receive insurance benefits.

Contact: 

Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA)

A federal law enacted by U.S. Congress that, among other provisions, restores an estimated $11.5 billion over five years to hospitals under Medicare, Medicaid and other federal and state health care programs.

Contact: 

bioterrorism planning regions

Ohio is divided into seven regions to promote regional bioterrorism planning between hospitals, public health and all responding agencies to a terrorist event.

Contact: Rick Sites, Esq., Carol Jacobson

BIPA

Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000

Contact: 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BC/BS)

An organization that offers information, consultation, representation and operational services for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan members across the country for purposes of providing insurance benefits. www.bluecares.com

Contact: 

board certified

A clinician who has passed the national examination in a particular field. Board certification is available for most physician specialties, as well as for many allied medical professions.

Contact: 

BSN

bachelor of science in nursing

Contact: 

Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC)

The state-operated insurance system that pays medical and lost wage benefits to workers who are injured on the job. www.ohiobwc.com

Contact: Charles Cataline

BWC

Bureau of Workers' Compensation

Contact: 

C. diff

Clostridium difficile

Contact: Carol Jacobson

CABG

coronary artery bypass graft

Contact: 

CAH

critical access hospital

Contact: 

CAO

chief administrative officer

Contact: 

CAP

capitation or OHA Committee on Advocacy and Policy

Contact: 

capitation (CAP)

A stipulated dollar amount established to cover the cost of health care delivered for a person or group of persons. The term usually refers to a negotiated per capita rate to be paid periodically, usually monthly, to a health care provider. The provider is responsible for delivering or arranging for the delivery of all health services required by the covered person(s) under the conditions of the contract.

Contact: 

captive insurance

A wholly owned subsidiary of a business or other legal entity, including a group of hospitals or trade associations, that is formed to insure risk. A captive is a form of self-insurance that has assumed the formalities of an insurance company.

Contact: 

CARE

core analysis research evolution

Contact: 

CARE System

The Core Analysis Research Evolution (CARE) System is a set of process measures used for quality improvement. The system meets Joint Commission and CMS core measurement requirements.

Contact: Virginia Swan, Rosalie Weakland, RN, MSN

careLearning

An online education service of more than 40 state hospital associations along with the American Hospital Association (AHA) for the purpose of delivering more cost-effective education to hospitals. www.carelearning.com

Contact: David Grunwell

carrier

The Medicare Part B claims processing contractor.

Contact: 

case manager

A health care professional who monitors the allocation and coordination of a patient's overall care.

Contact: 

case mix index

A measure of relative severity of medical conditions of a hospital's patients.

Contact: 

CAT

computerized axial tomography

Contact: 

CBO

U.S. Congressional Budget Office

Contact: 

CCD

Community Centers for the Deaf

Contact: 

CCI

Correct Coding Initiative (CMS)

Contact: 

CCU

coronary care unit

Contact: 

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Contact: 

CE

continuing education

Contact: 

Center for Health Affairs (CHA)

A regional allied association representing hospitals and health systems in Northeast Ohio. www.chanet.org

Contact: 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

An agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that serves as the central point for consolidation of disease control data, health promotion and public health programs. www.cdc.gov

Contact: 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

An agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responsible for the administration of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Formerly called the Health Care Financing Administration. www.cms.gov

Contact: Charles Cataline

Central Ohio Hospital Council (COHC)

A regional allied association representing hospitals and health systems in Central Ohio. www.centralohiohospitals.org

Contact: 

CEO

chief executive officer

Contact: 

certificate of need (CON)

A designation that hospitals had to obtain from the Ohio Department of Health to authorize an activity such as constructing or modifying hospitals, purchasing certain medical equipment or providing new health care services. This process was gradually phased out for most acute care hospital activities from 1995 through 1998 and replaced with quality standards.

Contact: Rick Sites, Esq., Bridget Gargan

CFO

chief financial officer

Contact: 

CFR

Code of Federal Regulations

Contact: 

CHA

Center for Health Affairs

Contact: 

CHAMPUS

Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services

Contact: 

CHAP

Community Health Accreditation Program

Contact: 

charity care

Health care provided at a substantial discount to those unable to pay. Hospitals either do not attempt to collect a portion of charges or agree to write off charges. Eligibility is sometimes determined from a sliding scale based on a percentage of the patient's income above the federal poverty level.

Contact: Charles Cataline

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

A state-administered program funded partly by the federal government that allows states to expand health coverage to uninsured, low-income children not eligible for Medicaid. Also called State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/chip.asp

Contact: 

CHIN

Community Health Information Network

Contact: 

CHIP

Children's Health Insurance Program

Contact: 

CHIPPS

Children's Health Insurance Project on Hospice/Palliative Care Services

Contact: 

CHPN

certified hospice and palliative care nurse

Contact: 

CHPO

Community Health Plans of Ohio

Contact: 

Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS)

A program that provides funds to pay for the treatment in private institutions for members of the uniformed services and their families. (see Tricare)

Contact: Charles Cataline

claims-made insurance policy

A liability insurance policy under which coverage applies to claims filed during the policy period. Medical professional liability insurance is typically written on a claims-made basis.

Contact: Rick Sites, Esq.

CLIA

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments

Contact: 

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)

Federal law designed to set national quality standards for laboratory testing. The law covers all laboratories that engage in testing for assessment, diagnosis, prevention or treatment purposes.

Contact: Rosalie Weakland, RN, MSN

clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

A registered nurse with a graduate degree in nursing who may provide and manage the care of individuals and groups with complex health problems and provide health care services that promote, improve and manage health care within the nurse’s nursing specialty.

Contact: Rosalie Weakland, RN, MSN

closed panel

Medical services delivered in the health insuring corporation (HIC)-owned health center or satellite clinic by physicians who belong to a specially formed, but legally separate, medical group that only serves the HIC.

Contact: 

Clostridium Difficile (C.diff)
Clostridium difficile

[klo-STRID-ee-um dif-uh-SEEL] is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis.

Contact: Carol Jacobson

CME

continuing medical education

Contact: 

CMS

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (formerly HCFA)

Contact: 

CNA

California Nurses Association

Contact: 

CNE

continuing nursing education

Contact: 

CNM

certified nurse-midwife

Contact: 

CNP

certified nurse practitioner

Contact: 

CNS

clinical nurse specialist

Contact: 

co-insurance

A specified dollar amount or percentage of covered expenses that an insurance policy or Medicare requires a beneficiary to pay toward eligible medical bills.

Contact: 

COBRA

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

Contact: 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

A publication of the federal government that consists of all regulations of federal departments and agencies. www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html

Contact: 

COHC

Central Ohio Hospital Council

Contact: 

community benefit

Hospital community benefit includes programs or activities that provide treatment and/or promote health and healing as a response to identified community needs. A community benefit must meet at least one of the following criteria: generates a low or negative margin, responds to needs of special populations, supplies services that would likely be discontinued if considered on a purely financial basis, responds to public health needs, and/or involves education or research that improves overall community health. www.caringforcommunities.org/caringforcommunities/

Contact: Mary Yost

Community Health Information Network (CHIN)

A community-based activity that focuses on the development of a shared information database and retrieval system of patients, their medical histories and clinical and diagnostic tests.

Contact: 

community rating

Setting insurance rates based on the average cost of providing health services to all people in a geographic area without adjusting for each individual’s medical history or likelihood of using medical services.

Contact: 

Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)

A system that allows physicians to write medical orders for their hospitalized patients using a clinical software application.

Contact: 

CON

certificate of need

Contact: 

conference committee

A bi-partisan committee made up of three members from each chamber of the Ohio General Assembly or U.S. Congress that is responsible for working out differences between House- and Senate-passed versions of a piece of legislation.

Contact: 

Congressional Budget Office

A non-partisan office that provides U.S. Congress with cost estimates of legislative proposals and calculates estimates related to the federal budget.

Contact: Jonathan Archey, NREMT-B

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Health benefit provisions passed by Congress in 1986 amending the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code and the Public Health Service Act to provide continuation of group health coverage that otherwise might be terminated.

see Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

Contact: 

continuing education unit (CEU)

A uniform unit of measurement used to assess all levels of noncredit continuing education. One CEU is equivalent to 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience.

Contact: Joseph Ruggles

continuing medical education (CME)

The continuing education of practicing physicians and nurses through refresher courses, journals and texts, educational programs and self-study courses. In some states, including Ohio, continuing education is required for continued licensure.

Contact: 

Continuous Service Readiness Program (CSR)

A joint effort of OHA and the Joint Commission Resources, the Continuous Service Readiness® program helps hospitals attain a level of continuous survey readiness for accreditation surveys.

Contact: Dorothy Aldridge, Rosalie Weakland, RN, MSN

Controlling Board

A seven-member board consisting of six legislators and one appointee of the Ohio Office of Budget and Management that, under certain conditions, has authority to increase spending levels and authorize expenditures for state agencies and programs

Contact: 

COO

chief operating officer

Contact: 

coordination of benefits

Provisions and procedures used by third-party payers to determine the amount payable when a claimant is covered under two or more health plans.

Contact: 

copayment

A type of cost-sharing that requires the insured or subscriber to pay a specified flat dollar amount, usually on a per-unit-of-service basis, with the third-party payer reimbursing some portion of the remaining charges.

Contact: 

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Contact: 

corporate campaign

A strategy whereby a labor union aggressively attacks the public reputation of a target employer with a goal of forcing management to yield to the union's demands or risk the company's financial well-being.

Contact: 

Corporate Partner

An organization doing business with Ohio hospitals that is a member in good standing with OHA.

Contact: Joseph Ruggles

corporate practice of medicine

A state law doctrine that prohibits any person or entity other than a licensed physician from holding itself out as a provider of professional medical services, from billing in its name for such professional medical services, or from owning or controlling a professional medical delivery system.

Contact: Mary L. Gallagher, Esq.

cost

The price a hospital must pay to provide a service, including the price of providing facilities, technology and workforce.

Contact: 

CPHA

Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities

Contact: 

CPI

consumer price index

Contact: 

credentialing

The process of reviewing a practitioner’s academic, clinical and professional ability as demonstrated in the past to determine if criteria for clinical privileges are met.

Contact: 

critical access hospital (CAH)

A federal designation under which hospitals receive cost- based reimbursement for Medicare services. Hospitals must meet certain criteria, such as size, length of stay and proximity to other facilities.

Contact: Rick Sites, Esq.

critical pathway

Standardized specifications for care developed by a formal process that incorporates the best scientific evidence of effectiveness with expert opinion.

Contact: 

CRNA

certified registered nurse anesthetist

Contact: 

CSR

Continuous Service Readiness Program

Contact: 

DA

disability assistance

Contact: 

deductible

An amount which a policyholder agrees to pay, per claim or per accident, toward the total amount of an insured loss. Under a health insurance policy, the out-of-pocket expenses paid by the health insurance subscriber before the insurer will begin reimbursing the subscriber for additional medical expenses.

Contact: 

diagnostic related group (DRG)

A classification system that groups patients by common characteristics requiring treatment.

Contact: Charles Cataline

Disability Medical Assistance

A state administered program that provides limited medical assistance to persons who are medication-dependent and ineligible for any category of Medicaid. There is no federal funding or federal regulation of this program.

Contact: 

disaster codes

see Ohio Emergency Codes

Contact: 

discharge planning

The evaluation of patients' health needs for appropriate care after discharge from an inpatient setting.

Contact: Dan Paoletti

disproportionate share hospital (DSH)

A hospital that provides care to a high number of patients who cannot afford to pay and/or do not have insurance.

Contact: 

diversion

The routing of patients to other hospitals because an emergency room is at maximum capacity.

Contact: 

DME

durable medical equipment

Contact: 

DNR

do not resuscitate

Contact: 

DO

doctor of osteopathy

Contact: 

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

An advance directive that patients may make to forego cardiopulmonary resuscitation or other resuscitative efforts. (see advance directive)

Contact: Rick Sites, Esq.

doctor of osteopathy (DO)

A licensed physician who is a graduate from an accredited school of osteopathic medicine.

Contact: 

DOJ

Department of Justice

Contact: 

DRG

diagnostic related group

Contact: 

DSH

disproportionate share hospital

Contact: 

durable medical equipment (DME)

Equipment that can stand repeated use, is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, generally is not useful to a person in the absence of illness or injury, and is appropriate for use at home, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs and oxygen equipment.

Contact: 

durable power of attorney

A document in which individuals select another person to act on their behalf in the event they become incapacitated. The document may identify specific activities, such as managing the incapacitated person's financial affairs. If the document allows the agent to make health care decisions, it must be drafted in a manner that meets statutory requirements for a "health care durable power of attorney." (see advance directive)

Contact: Rick Sites, Esq.

EACH

essential access community hospital

Contact: 

ED

emergency department

Contact: 

EDI

electronic data interchange

Contact: 

EKG

electrocardiogram

Contact: 

electronic health record (EHR)

A patient’s computerized health information as recorded and maintained by a provider system. An EHR is distinguished from a physician health record (PHR) by control: an EHR is controlled by the provider’s system while a PHR is owned and controlled by the patient.

Contact: Dan Paoletti

emergency medical services (EMS)

A system of health care professionals, facilities and equipment providing emergency care.

Contact: 

emergency medical technician (EMT)

A person certified to provide pre-hospital emergency medical treatment.

Contact: 

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

A federal law that exempts self-insured health plans from state laws governing health insurance, including contribution to risk pools, prohibitions against disease discrimination and other state health reforms.

Contact: 

EMS

emergency medical services

Contact: 

EMT

emergency medical technician

Contact: 

EMTALA

Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act

Contact: 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

A federal and state agency responsible for programs to control air, water and noise pollution, solid waste disposal and other environmental concerns. www.epa.gov

Contact: Rick Sites, Esq.

EOL

end-of-life

Contact: 

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

Contact: 

ER

emergency room

Contact: 

ERISA

Employee Retirement Income Security Act

Contact: 

exclusions

Specific conditions or circumstances listed in an insurance contract for which the policy will not provide benefit payments. Exclusions can eliminate coverage for select individuals, groups, locations, properties or risks.

Contact: 

experience rating

A system where an insurance company evaluates the risk of an individual or group by considering the applicant's loss history. For health insurance this would include evaluation of the applicant's health history.

Contact: 

Extended Reporting Period

An additional period of time after policy expiration during which valid claims will be paid under a claims-made policy of liability insurance.

Contact: 

FACHE

Fellow of American College of Healthcare Executives

Contact: 

FAH

Federation of American Hospitals

Contact: 

failure mode effect analysis

A systematic method of identifying and preventing problems (errors) before they occur.

Contact: David Engler, PhD, Rosalie Weakland, RN, MSN

False Claims Act

A federal law that imposes liability for treble damages and fines of $5,000 to $10,000 for knowingly submitting to the federal government a false or fraudulent claim for payment.

Contact: Sean M. McGlone, Esq.

Farmers Home Administration (FHA)

A division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that guarantees hospital mortgages.

Contact: 

FDA

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Contact: 

FDO

formula-driven overpayment

Contact: 

federal financial participation (FFP)

The portion paid by the federal government to states for their share of expenditures for providing Medicaid services and for administering the Medicaid program and certain other human service programs. Also called federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP).

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federal fiscal year (FFY)

The federal government's accounting year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 (e.g., FFY 2009 begins Oct. 1, 2008, and ends Sept. 30, 2009).

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federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP)

The share of each state's Medicaid program paid by the federal government, based on the state's per capita income. By law, the FMAP cannot be lower than 50 percent nor higher than 83 percent, with the average FMAP about 57 percent. Ohio's 2000 FMAP is 62 percent. Also called federal financial participation.

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federal poverty guidelines

The official annual income level for poverty as defined by the federal government. Under the 2011 guidelines, the federal poverty level for a family of four is $22.350.

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Federal Register

An official publication of the federal government that provides final and proposed regulations of federal legislation. www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html

Contact: Valerie Adams

Federation of American Hospitals (FAH)

A trade association composed of proprietary or investor-owned hospitals. www.fah.org

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fee for service

A method in which physicians and other health care providers receive a fee for services performed.

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Fee Schedule

A comprehensive listing of fees used by either a health care plan or the government to reimburse providers on a fee-for-service basis.

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Fellow of American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE)

A credential awarded by the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Contact: 

FFP

federal financial participation

Contact: 

FFY

federal fiscal year

Contact: 

FHA

Farmers Home Administration

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FI

fiscal intermediary

Contact: 

fiscal intermediary

see Medicare Administrative Contractor

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fiscal note

An analysis by the Legislative Budget Office of the financial impact of proposed state legislation

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fiscal year (FY)

Any entity's accounting year.

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FMAP

federal medical assistance percentage

Contact: 

FOIA

Freedom of Information Act

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Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

An agency within the federal government that is responsible for regulations pertaining to food and drugs sold in the United States. www.fda.gov

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Foundation for Healthy Communities

The nonprofit foundation of OHA that promotes and supports healthy communities and lifestyles through partnerships with Ohio hospitals and health systems. www.healthycommunitiesohio.org

Contact: Mary Yost, Stacey Conrad

FQHC

federally qualified health center

Contact: 

freestanding emergency medical service center

A health care facility that is physically separate from a hospital and whose primary purpose is the provision of immediate, short-term medical care for minor but urgent medical conditions. (see urgent care)

Contact: Rick Sites, Esq.

freestanding outpatient surgical center

A health care facility, physically separate from a hospital, that provides pre-scheduled, outpatient surgical services. (see surgicenter or ambulatory surgical facility)

Contact: Rick Sites, Esq.

Friends of Ohio Hospitals

A corporate political action committee supported by Ohio hospital employees and board members to protect and promote the needs of their patients and of their health care delivery through political action. www.friendsofohiohospitals.org

Contact: Bridget Gargan, Stacey Conrad

FTC

Federal Trade Commission

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FTE

full-time equivalent

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full-time equivalent (FTE)

A standardized accounting of the numbers of full-time and part-time employees.

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Future Think

An initiative created by the Ohio Organization for Nurse Executives and OHA to design the future of clinical health care in response to the current health care workforce shortage. www.futurethink.org

Contact: Rosalie Weakland, RN, MSN

FY

fiscal year

Contact: 

GA

general assistance

Contact: 

GAO

General Accounting Office

Contact: 

gatekeeper

A primary care physician responsible for overseeing and coordinating all aspects of a patient’s medical care and pre-authorizing specialty care.

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GCHC

Greater Cincinnati Health Council

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GDAHA

Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association

Contact: 

general practitioner

A physician whose practice is based on a broad understanding of all illnesses and who does not restrict his/her practice to any particular field of medicine.

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GME

graduate medical education

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going bare

The colloquial term describing the choice of an individual, provider or other legal entity not to purchase liability insurance such as medical liability insurance or have a self-insurance mechanism such as a trust fund, or captive insurance company.

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Government Accountability Office (GAO)

A non-partisan investigative arm of U.S. Congress that evaluates federal programs as an oversight of federal spending, efficiency and performance. www.gao.gov

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graduate medical education (GME)

Medical education as an intern, resident or fellow after graduating from a medical school.

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Greater Cincinnati Health Council (GCHC)

A regional allied association representing hospitals and health systems in the Cincinnati region. www.gchc.org

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Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association (GDAHA)

A regional allied association representing hospitals and health systems in the Dayton region. www.gdaha.org

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group insurance

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.

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group model HMO

An HMO that contracts with a multi-specialty medical group to provide care for HMO members. Members are required to receive medical care from a physician within the group unless a referral is made outside the network.

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group practice association

A formal arrangement of three or more physicians or other health professionals providing health services. Income is pooled and redistributed to the members of the group according to a prearranged plan.

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H2E

Hospitals for a Healthy Environment

Contact: 

HAI

hospital acquired infection

Contact: 

HB

House Bill

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HCAP

Hospital Care Assurance Program

Contact: 

HCNO

Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio

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health care durable power of attorney

A document in which individuals select another individual to make health care decisions for them in the event they become incapacitated. A health care durable power of attorney should be distinguished from a living will, a document drafted by an individual that provides direction regarding medical care if the individual becomes incapacitated by terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness. (see advance directive)

Contact: Rick Sites, Esq.

health care-acquired condition

see hospital-acquired condition

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Health Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS)

A set of performance measures designed to standardize the way health plans report data to employers. HEDIS measures five major areas of health plan performance: quality, access and patient satisfaction, membership and utilization, finance, and descriptive information on health plan management.

Contact: 

Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA)

A corporate member association of health and accident insurance companies. www.hiaa.org

Contact: 

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Federal legislation, enacted in 1996, mandating regulations governing privacy, security and administrative simplification standards for health care information. HIPAA governs how health care organizations handle all facets of information management, including patient records.

Contact: David Engler, PhD, Rick Sites, Esq.

health insuring corporation (HIC)

A term for managed care insurers in Ohio which includes all Ohio HMOs and other companies that offer pre-paid managed care.

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health maintenance organization (HMO)

An entity that offers prepaid, comprehensive health coverage for both hospital and physician services with specific health care providers using a fixed fee structure or capitated rates.

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Health Partnership Program (HPP)

One of two systems for managing workers' compensation health care in Ohio. Primarily designed for state-fund employers, the HPP uses private managed-care organizations (MCOs) certified by the state Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to provide medical services.

Contact: Charles Cataline