Author: Glossary

A practice by insurers of giving a low rate on health insurance to a low-risk small group or individual, then raising the rates when the insured start filing claims. A physical or mental condition which has been discovered before an individual applies for health insurance. Insurers often deny insurance to individuals with certain preexisting conditions,…

Actions taken to prevent an undesired effect or outcome. In the health care context, “precautions” usually refers to measure taken to prevent the transmission of disease to a patient who is particularly vulnerable to infection because their immune system has broken down (such a patient is called a “compromised host”), or from a patient with…

The carrying out of laboratory and other diagnostic work on an outpatient basis within a few days of hospital admission for the patient scheduled for elective hospitalization. It is less costly to have the tests performed in this manner and, in some instances, the test results will be such that hospitalization will be avoided or…

A program of evaluation of applicants for admission to nursing homes under Medicare. Some states also require preadmission screening for private pay applicants.  

A formal admission process (namely, initiating the paperwork) carried out by a hospital prior to doing preadmission testing (PAT) for an elective admission patient.  

An individual entitled by training and experience to practice a profession. Often such practice requires licensure, and the boundaries of the practice are prescribed by law. One who has met the professional and legal requirements necessary to provide a health care service, such as a nurse, dentist, dental hygientist, or physical therapist.  

A term used in public relations (marketing) indicating the place occupied by an institution or product in the minds of its constituency. For example, IBM is “positioned” in the number one spot with respect to computers in most people’s minds. Hertz has the same position in car rentals. In rehabilitation, the placing of the body…

Health care in which the goal is the improvement of the health of a population, such as reduction in teen-age pregnancies, obesity, increase in cardiovascular fitness, in contrast with individual medicine which concerns the health of an individual.  

An informal ad hoc “think tank” founded by John Horty, LLB, President of the National Council of Community Hospitals (NCCH), in 1992. Its first position on health care reform is that a single national solution to all the problems is not possible, that the movement already underway in which health care reform is emerging in…

An organization which receives contributions, usually from individuals, and disburses them to candidates for office. May also engage in lobbying activities.