DEFINITIONS

DEFINITIONS

ALLOWED AMOUNT:

The total amount your insurance company has agreed should be paid for a specified service or procedure INCLUDING any co-pays or deductibles.

APPROVED AMOUNT:

See "Allowed Amount"

CO-INSURANCE:

See "Co-pay"

CO-PAY:

Short for co-payment. The amount that you are required to pay in addition to what your insurance company pays.

DEDUCTIBLE:

The amount you are responsible for at the beginning of every calendar year.

HMO:

Heath Maintenance Organization. See HMO in our section on insurances.

MEDICARE REPLACEMENT INSURANCE:

An HMO or PPO which takes the place of your regular Medicare insurance.

MEDIGAP:

A supplemental insurance which covers your Medicare co-pays and may or may NOT cover your Medicare deductible (depending on the plan you choose).

MEMBER LIABILITY:

See "Co-pay"

PPO:

Preferred Provider Organization. See PPO in our section on insurances.

PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY:

See "Co-pay"

PRIMARY INSURANCE:

Your insurance which has the first (or biggest) responsibility for paying your bills.

SECONDARY INSURANCE:

Your insurance which covers some or all of the amount due after your Primary insurance.