Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Capital depreciation
The decline in value of capital assets (assets of a permanent or fixed nature, goods and plant) over time with use. The rate and amount of depreciation is calculated by a variety of different methods (e.g., straight line, sum of the digits, declining balance) which often give quite different results. Reimbursement of health services usually…
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Capital
Fixed or durable non-labor inputs or factors used in the production of goods and services, the value of such factors, or money specifically available for their acquisition or development. This includes, for example, the buildings, beds, and equipment used in the provision of hospital services. Capital goods are usually thought of as permanent and durable…
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Bureau of quality assurance
Agency within the Health Resources Administration in HEW which administers the Professional Standards Review Organization program.
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Bureau of health insurance
Agency within the Social Security Administration which administers the Medicare program. Actual operation of the program is carried out through arrangements with intermediaries and carriers, who operate under contract with BHI/SSA and receive all policy guidance from the Bureau. BHI employs approximately 2,000 individuals.
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Budget authority
In the Federal budget, authority provided by law to enter into obligations which will result in immediate or future outlays of government funds, except that it does not include the authority to insure or guarantee the repayment of indebtedness incurred by another person or government. The basic forms of budget authority are: appropriations, contract authority,…
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Brown lung
New popular name for byssinosis; a chronic, disabling lung disease caused by chronic inhalation of cotton dust and prevalent among textile workers. Similar to, but not the same as, black lung. Federal benefits, like those available for miners disabled by black lung, are not available for people with brown lung.
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Boarding homes
Organized or informal facilities which provide room and board (to those desiring it, often the aged), and, sometimes, custodial care for a fee. The provision of medical supervision, social activities or counseling is not normally included. They are not licensed as health facilities and usually are not subject to licensure at all.
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Blue shield plan
A nonprofit, tax-exempt plan of a type originally established in 1939 which provides coverage of physician’s services. The individual plans should be distinguished from the National Association of Blue Shield Plans. Blue Shield coverage is commonly sold in conjunction with Blue Cross coverage, although this is not always the case. The relationship between Blue Cross…
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Blue cross plan
A nonprofit, tax-exempt health service prepayment organization providing coverage for health care and related services. The individual plans should be distinguished from their national association, the Blue Cross Association. Historically, the plans were largely the creation of the hospital industry, and designed to provide hospitals with a stable source of revenues, although formal association between…
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Blue cross association
The national non-profit organization to which the 70 Blue Cross plans in the United States voluntarily belong. BCA administers programs of licensure and approval for Blue Cross plans, provides specific services related to the writing and administering of health care benefits across the country, and represents the Blue Cross plans in national affairs. Under contract…
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