Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Indigo institute

    A 501(c)(3) organization which conducts and disseminates research on the organization, function, and financing of health care. The Institute explores innovative ways of changing the present health care system and thus the behavior of those who provide and those who receive care, so that communities may deliver health care with quality, in an efficient manner,…

  • Indigent medical care

    Care for patients whose income falls below a level usually set by statute or regulation as defining indigency. Such care is provided without charge or for reduced charges, but the institution must find the resources by “overcharges” to other patients (or their payers), supplementary appropriations, public subscription, or elsewhere.  

  • Indigent

    Lacking the necessities of life; not having sufficient resources. “Indigent” will have different definitions for different purposes; for example, to qualify for a public assistance program.  

  • Wage index

    A component used by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) in adjusting payments (prices) under the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS). The wage index is derived by HCFA starting with data supplied by hospitals in response to a questionnaire; it takes into account normal work hours, as well as part-time and overtime work hours.  

  • Economic index

    A statistical measure of the economy. One such index is the consumer price index.  

  • Indemnity

    A term being used now by some writers and speakers to mean ” the current system” for paying for health care. Actually, the current insurance system has both “service” benefits programs and “indemnity” benefits, each with a specific legal meaning.  

  • Incremental

    An adjective which describes a process which proceeds step-by-step, and each step adds an increment (increase in quantity or value) to the step preceding. The term is being used with a different meaning in health care reform discussions to mean a process of change which happens bit-by-bit rather than all at once; action in contrast…

  • Income and expense statement

    A standard part of a financial statement in which are shown the revenues, costs, and expenses of the organization for the accounting period. The other part of the financial statement is the balance sheet. Synonym(s): profit and loss statement (P & L), operating statement, income statement.  

  • Incentive pay plan

    A plan for rewarding the performance of individuals in an institution with added compensation. The incentives typically are in the form of annual bonuses or percentage increments above the base salary if specified financial, productivity, or quality performance goals are met, although some institutions use long-term incentives. A 1991 survey found that about two-thirds of…

  • Implicit

    “Naturally” a part of, although not specifically stated.