Glossary

A law passed in 1996 which is also sometimes called the "Kassebaum-Kennedy" law. This law expands your health care coverage if you have lost your job, or if you move from one job to another, HIPAA protects you and your family if you have: pre-existing medical conditions, and/or problems getting health coverage, and you think it is based on past or present health. HIPAA also:

• limits how companies can use your pre-existing medical conditions to keep you from getting health insurance coverage;
• usually gives you credit for health coverage you have had in the past;
• may give you special help with group health coverage when you lose coverage or have a new dependent; and
• generally, guarantees your right to renew your health coverage. HIPAA does not replace the states' roles as primary regulators of insurance.

A law that lets some people keep their employer group health plan coverage for a period of time after: the death of your spouse, losing your job, having your working hours reduced, leaving your job voluntarily, or getting a divorce. You may have to pay both your share and the employer’s share of the premium. Generally, you also have to pay an administrative fee.

A law that requires the U.S. Government to give out certain information to the public when it receives a written request. FOIA applies only to records of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, not to those of the Congress or Federal courts, and does not apply to state governments, local governments, or private groups.

A legal document also known as a medical directive or advance directive. It states your wishes regarding life-support or other medical treatment in certain circumstances, usually when death is imminent.

A legal document that enables you to designate another person, called the attorney-in-fact, to act on your behalf, in the event you become disabled or incapacitated.

A legislative program during the early 1970s that limited price increases.

A letter from the Federal Project Officer justifying the need for CMS data and supporting the requestor's use of such data.

A letter that is required with CMS Administrator's signature when Medicare
beneficiaries will be contacted to participate in a research project.

A list of certain drugs and their proper dosages. In some Medicare health plans, doctors must order or use only drugs listed on the health plan's formulary.

A list of certain drugs and their proper dosages. The discount drug list includes the drugs the company will discount.