Any organization (public or private) that pays or insures health or medical expenses on behalf of beneficiaries or recipients. Examples are medicare, medicaid, blue cross, blue shield, and other commercial insurance companies.
A payment service other than the patient or provider.
Any organization, public or private, that pays or insures health or medical expenses on behalf of beneficiaries or recipients (e.g. Blue Cross and Shield, commercial insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid). The individual generally pays a premium for such coverage in all private and some public programs. The organization then pays bills on his behalf; such payments are called third party payments and are distinguished by the separation between the individual receiving the service (the first party), the individual or institution providing it (the second party) and the organization paying for it (the third party).
An entity (other than the patient or the health care provider) that reimburses and manages health care expenses. Third-party payers include insurance companies, governmental agencies, and employers.