Glossary

This is a Medicaid program for beneficiaries who need help in paying for Medicare Part B premiums. The beneficiary must have Medicare Part A and limited income and resources and not be otherwise eligible for Medicaid. For those who qualify, the Medicaid program pays full Medicare Part B premiums only.

This is a Medicaid program for beneficiaries who need help in paying for Medicare services. The beneficiary must have Medicare Part A and limited income and resources. For those who qualify, the Medicaid program pays Medicare Part A premiums, Part B premiums, and Medicare deductibles and coinsurance amounts for Medicare services.

This is a method or instrument to estimate or monitor the extent to which the actions of a health care practitioner or provider conform to practice guidelines, medical review criteria, or standards of quality.

This is the level of fluid in the body. The loss of fluid, or dehydration, occurs when you lose more water or fluid than you take in. Your body cannot keep adequate blood pressure, get enough oxygen and nutrients to the cells, or get rid of wastes if it has too little fluid.

This is when another doctor gives his or her view about what you have and how it should be treated.

This kind of insurance pays benefits for only a single disease, such as cancer, or for a group of diseases. Specified Disease Insurance doesn’t fill gaps in your Medicare coverage.

This means a doctor has special training in a certain area of medicine and has passed an advanced exam in that area of medicine. Both primary care doctors and specialists may be board-certified.

This means a hospital has passed a survey done by a State government agency. Being certified is not the same as being accredited. Medicare only covers care in hospitals that are certified or accredited.

This means a long-term care facility has met certain standards set by a State or local government agency.

This office is part of HHS. Its HIPPA responsibilities include oversight of the privacy requirements.