WORDS TO KNOW

Medicaid

A federal program which provides for health care to indigents and medically indigent persons. Partially funded by the federal government, it is administered by state government.

Medical Indigent

A person who has insufficient income to pay for health care services without depriving oneself or family of necessities of living.

Medicare

The federal program that provides health care to persons over 65 years of age and others entitled to Social Security benefits. Medicare is funded and administered by the federal government.

Primary Level of Care

A patient's first contact with the healthcare system. Often this primary care is through doctors' offices, health clinics or emergency personnel.

Catastrophic Coverage

An insurance program that provides financial protection for the insured or a "cap" at which the insured is assured of maximum medical expense liability.

Insurance Premium

The periodic payment paid by the insured to maintain or activate an insurance product.

Workers Compensation

A state-mandated program (law), which establishes a system of compensating workers for on-the-job injuries. The program is funded through employer contribution.

Diagnostic tests

One or more procedures performed on a patient or a sample from a patient to rule out/confirm a particular medical diagnosis. A diagnosis is a label given to a complex of symptons, signs or findings.

Malpractice

The failure of care by a professional which results in damage, loss or injury.

Malpractice litigation

The lawsuit seeking damages for claims of malpractice.

"Defensive medicine"

A situation where a doctor orders medical procedures, including expensive tests, which are not strictly necessary in order to protect himself against the threat of a malpractice suit.

Tort Reform

An effort by businesses, doctors and other professionals to limit their liability to "reasonable" dollar values if proven liable. And to thwart the legal threat of petty lawsuits by having the plaintiff pay costs if deemed petty.

Trauma care

A level of medical and psychological intervention available to trauma patients. Trauma patients being those who are suffering acute injuries to one or more major body systems. Trauma is not necessarily life threatening.

Contingency fees

A payment method for lawyers whereby the lawyer receives a percentage of any recovery by the claimant; percentages may range from 30-50 percent.

Lifestyle

The manner by which one lives; affected by age, income, diet, exercise, personality and social integration.

Wellness program

A regimen that encourages an individual toward optimal mental and physical status.