Definitions to Commonly Used Billing Terms

The number assigned by your provider (hospital, physician, home care service, etc.) when medical services were provided.

The portion of your bill that your provider has agreed not to charge you.

The date admitted for treatment.

Words or phrases your doctor uses to describe your condition.

A notice your provider gives you before you are treated, informing you that Medicare will not pay for the treatment or service. The notice is given to you so that you may decide whether to have the treatment and how to pay for it.

The amount your insurance company does not pay, including deductibles, co-insurances and charges for non-covered services.

The amount your insurance company does not pay, including deductibles, co-insurances and charges for non-covered services.

The services you receive beyond room and board charges, such as laboratory tests, therapy, surgery, etc.

A process by which you, your doctor or your hospital, can object to your health plan when you disagree with the health plan’s decision to deny payment for your care.

A portion of your bill, as defined by your insurance company, that you owe your provider.

An agreement you sign that allows your insurance to pay the provider (hospital or doctor) directly.

The doctor who orders your treatment and who is responsible for your care.

A number stating that your treatment has been approved by your insurance plan. Also called a Certification Number, Prior Authorization Number or Treatment Authorization Number.

A person covered by health insurance.

A way providers retrieve information about whether you have insurance coverage.

The amount your insurance company pays for medical services.

A printed summary of your medical bill.

A printed summary of your medical bill.

The federal agency that runs the Medicare program. In addition, CMS works with the states to run the Illinois Medicaid.

A number stating that your treatment has been approved by your insurance plan. Also called an Authorization Number, Prior Authorization Number or Treatment Authorization Number.

A form provided by your insurance company that needs to be complete before your bill can be paid.

A number assigned by your insurance company to an individual claim.

Translating diagnoses and procedures from your medical record into numbers that insurance companies use to pay claims.

The cost sharing part of your bill that you have to pay, such as 10%. Your insurance company defines this amount. Your insurance company indicates the amount you are responsible for in your insurance booklet.

An agreement you sign that gives your permission to receive medical services or treatment from doctors or hospitals.

A way to decide which insurance company is responsible for payment, if you have more than one insurance plan.

A way to decide which insurance company is responsible for payment, if you have more than one insurance plan.

A type of cost sharing whereby the insured person pays a specified flat dollar amount per service or visit, with the insurer paying the remainder amount. For example, $10 per doctor visit, $25 per inpatient hospital day.

A health service or item that is included in your health plan and is paid for either partially or fully.

A coding system used to describe what treatments or services your doctor gave to you.

Bill preparation date. It is not the same date as the date of service.

Treatment date.

The amount your insurance company designates you to pay for medical services before your insurance company starts to pay.

A code used at the time of billing to describe your illness.

The dollar amount removed from your bill, usually because of a contract between your provider (the hospital or physician) and your insurance company.

Drugs that do not require administration from doctors or nurses. Your insurance plan may not cover these when provided during an outpatient visit / observation.

The amount owed by your insurance company.

The amount you owe.

The medical equipment that can be used many times, or special equipment ordered by your doctor, usually for use at home.

The medical services paid for by an insurance company.

Care given for a medical emergency when you believe that your health is in serious danger.

The part of a hospital that treats patients with emergency or urgent medical problems.

A person who is covered by health insurance.

The estimated amount you or your insurance company owes.

The notice you receive from your insurance company after your bill has been processed or paid. The notice tells you the amount the provider billed, the amount paid by your insurance and what you have to pay.

Free or reduced rates for care provided to patients with demonstrated financial hardship.

The person responsible to pay the bill.

A written document that describes how you want medical decisions to be made if you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself. A healthcare advance directive may include a Living Will and a Durable Power of Attorney for healthcare decisions.

The party that provides medical services, such as hospitals, doctors or laboratories.

An insurance plan that pays for preventive and other medical services provided by a specific group of participating providers.

A coding system used to describe what treatment or services your doctor or provider gave to you.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act — This federal act sets standards for protecting the privacy of your health information.

This refers to the billing process for services rendered in a hospital outpatient clinic or department.

A patient who stays overnight in the hospital.

A patient who stays overnight in the hospital.

The services excluded from your insurance policy, such as cancer care or obstetric/gynecologic or pre—existing conditions.

The name of the group or insurance plan that insures you, usually an employer.

A number that your insurance company uses to identify the group under which you are insured.

The name of the insured person, who is also referred to as the member.

The person or persons liable or under obligation for the bill.

The care received in a nursing home. Medicare does not pay for long—term care unless you need skilled nursing or special rehabilitation.

An insurance plan that requires patients only see providers (doctors and hospitals) that have a contract with the managed care company, except in the case of medical emergencies or urgent care, if you are out of the plans service area.

A state administered federal and state funded insurance plan for low income people who have limited or no insurance.

The number assigned by your doctor or hospital that identifies your individual medical record.

A health insurance program for people age 65 and older. Medicare covers some people under age 65 who have disabilities or end—stage renal disease (ESRD).

Medical services normally paid for by Medicare.

Providers who have accepted Medicare patients and agreed not to charge them more than Medicare has approved.

A number and an ID card is assigned to each person covered under Medicare and for identification to providers.

The amount of your bill Medicare paid to your provider.

Usually referred to as Hospital Insurance, it helps pay for inpatient care in hospitals and hospices, as well as some skilled nursing costs.

Assists with paying for doctor services, outpatient care and other medical services not paid for by Medicare part A.

The notice provided by Medicare after receiving services from your provider. It tells you what was billed to Medicare, Medicare’s approved payment, the amount Medicare paid and the amount you owe. Also called an Explanation of Medicare Benefits. (EOMB).

Medicare Supplement Insurance that pays for some services not covered by Medicare A or B, including deductible and co-insurance amounts.

A group of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other healthcare experts hired by a health plan to take care of its members.

The charges for medical services denied or excluded by your insurance. You may be billed for these charges.

A doctor, hospital or other healthcare provider that is not part of an insurance plan, doctor or hospital network.

The type of service used by doctors and hospitals to decide whether you need inpatient hospital care or whether you can recover at home or in an outpatient area.

The costs the patient is responsible for because Medicare or other insurance does not cover them.

A service you receive in one day at a hospital or clinic without staying overnight.

Drugs that do not require a prescription. They can be bought at a pharmacy or drug store and be dispensed to patients, while at the hospital or doctors office.

The amount the insurance company pays to your medical provider.

The amount the insurance company pays to you or your guarantor.

A doctor or hospital that agrees to accept your insurance payment for covered services as payment in full, minus your deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance amounts.

The amount your provider charges you for services received.

The amount you owe towards your medical bill.

The amount charged or paid by the day.

A number your insurance company gives you to identify your contract.

An agreement made by your insurance company and you or your provider, to pay their portion of your medical treatment. Providers ask your insurance company for this approval before providing your medical treatment.

A health condition or a medical problem acknowledged by your health plan before you receive insurance. Some health plans may not pay for health conditions you had prior to becoming a member.

An insurance plan in which you use doctors, hospitals and providers that belong to the network. You can use doctors, hospitals and providers outside of the network for an additional cost.

A doctor whose practice is devoted to internal medicine, family and general practice or pediatrics. Some insurance companies consider Obstetrician or Gynecologists primary care physicians.

The insurance company responsible for paying your claim first. If you have another insurance company, it is referred to as the Secondary Insurance Company.

A number stating that your treatment has been approved by your insurance plan. It is also referred to as an Authorization Number, Certification Number or Treatment Authorization Number.

A code given to medical and surgical procedures and treatments.

A part of your bill that your provider must write-off because of billing agreements with your insurance company.

A hospital or physician who provides medical care to the patient.

The costs for medical services that insurers believe are appropriate throughout a geographic area or community.

Approval needed for care beyond that provided by your primary care doctor or hospital. For example, managed care plans (HMO’s) usually require referral forms from your primary care doctor to see a specialist or for special procedures.

A signed statement from patients or guarantors that allows providers to release medical information so insurance companies can pay claims.

The explanation the hospital receives, usually with payment, from your insurance company after your medical services have been processed.

The person responsible for paying your hospital bill, usually referred to as the guarantor.

A billing code used to name a specific room, service or billing sum.

A geographic area where insurance plans enroll members. In an HMO, it is also the area served by your doctor network and hospitals.

The date your medical services or treatments began.

The date your medical services or treatments ended.

An inpatient facility in which patients that do not need acute care are given nursing care or other therapy.

The source of your admission whether it is a referral, transfer or through the emergency room.

A doctor who specializes in treating certain parts of the body or specific medical conditions.

The dates your service or treatment begin and end.

An additional insurance policy that handles claims for deductible and co-insurance reimbursement.

The total cost of your medical services.

The reason for your admission, such as emergency, urgent or elective, etc.

A form used by hospitals to file insurance claims for medical services.

The costs for medical services that insurers believe are appropriate throughout a geographic area or community.