Glossary of Definitions

Use the alphabetic list to be directed to a specific area of the Glossary.


A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J| K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T| U | V | W | X | Y | Z|

A (return to top of page)

After Hours Care - services received in a Physician's office at times other than regularly scheduled office hours, including days when the office is normally closed (e.g., holidays or Sundays).  

Alcoholism - a Condition classified as a mental disorder and described in the International Classification of Diseases, ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) or the most recent version, as alcohol dependence, abuse or alcoholic psychosis.

Application - all questionnaires and forms required by Medical Mutual to determine your eligibility and insurability.  

B (return to top of page)

Benefit Period - the period of time specified in the Schedule of Benefits during which Covered Services are rendered, and benefit maximums, Deductibles, Coinsurance Limits and Non-PPO Network Coinsurance Limits are accumulated. The first and/or last Benefit Periods may be less than 12 months depending on the Effective Date and the date your coverage terminates.  

Billed Charges - Charges for all services and supplies that the Covered Person has received from the Provider, whether they are a Covered Service or not.  

Biologically Based Mental Illness - schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoia and other psychotic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder, as these terms are defined in the most recent edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders published by the American psychiatric association.  

Birth Year - a 12 month rolling year beginning on the individual's birth date.  

C (return to top of page)

Certificate - a document that contains the coverage details  

Certificate Holder - an eligible employee or participant of the Group who has enrolled for coverage under the terms and conditions of the Group Contract.  

Charges - the Provider's list of charges for services and supplies before any adjustments for discounts, allowances, incentives or settlements. For a Contracting Hospital in the State of Ohio, charges are the master charge list uniformly applicable to all payors before any discounts, allowances, incentives or settlements.  

Coinsurance - a percentage of the Lesser Amount for Contracting Institutional Providers and Physicians and Other Professional Providers or a percentage of the Non-Contracting Amount for Non-Contracting Institutional Providers for which you are responsible after you have met your Deductible or paid your Copayment.  

Coinsurance Limit - a specified dollar amount of Coinsurance expense Incurred in a Benefit Period by a Covered Person for Covered Services received from a PPO Network Provider.  

Condition - an injury, ailment, disease, illness or disorder.  

Contraceptives - oral, injectable, implantable or transdermal patches for birth control.  

Contract - the agreement between Medical Mutual and your Group referred to as the Group Contract. The Contract includes the Group Application, individual Applications of the Certificate Holders, this Certificate, Schedules of Benefits and any Riders or addenda.  

Contracting - the status of a Hospital or Other Facility Provider:  

  • that has an agreement with Medical Mutual about payment for Covered Services; or
 
 

Copayment - a dollar amount, if specified in the Schedule of Benefits, that you may or may not be required to pay at the time Covered Services are rendered.  

Covered Charges - the Billed Charges for Covered Services, except that Medical Mutual reserves the right to limit the amount of Covered Charges for Covered Services provided by a Non-Contracting Institutional Provider to the Non-Contracting Amount determined as payable by Medical Mutual.  

Covered Person - the Certificate Holder, and if family coverage is in force, the Certificate Holder's Eligible Dependent(s) as defined in the Eligibility section of this Certificate.  

Covered Service - a Provider's service or supply as described in this Certificate for which Medical Mutual will provide benefits, as listed in the Schedule of Benefits.  

Creditable Coverage - coverage of an individual under any of the following:  

  • a group health plan, including church and governmental plans;
 
  • health insurance coverage;
 
  • Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare);
 
  • the health plan for active military personnel, including TRICARE;
 
  • the Indian Health Service or other tribal organization program;
 
  • a state health benefits risk pool;
 
  • the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program;
 
  • a public health plan as defined in federal regulations;
 
  • a health benefit plan under section 5 (c) of the Peace Corps Act; or
 
  • any other plan which provides comprehensive Hospital, medical and surgical services.
 

Custodial Care - care that does not require the constant supervision of skilled medical personnel to assist the patient in meeting his or her activities of daily living. Custodial Care is care which can be taught to and administered by a lay person and includes but is not limited to:  

  • administration of medication which can be self-administered or administered by a lay person; or
 
  • help in walking, bathing, dressing, feeding or the preparation of special diets.
 

Custodial Care does not include care provided for its therapeutic value in the treatment of a Condition.  

Custodian - a person who, by court order, has custody of a child.  

D (return to top of page)

Deductible - an amount, usually stated in dollars, for which you are responsible each Benefit Period before Medical Mutual will start to provide benefits.  

Drug Abuse - a Condition classified as a mental disorder and described in the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) or the most recent version, as drug dependence abuse or drug psychosis.  

E (return to top of page)

Effective Date - 12:01 a.m. on the date when your coverage begins, as determined by your Group and Medical Mutual.  

Emergency - an accidental traumatic bodily injury or other medical Condition that arises suddenly and unexpectedly and manifests itself by acute symptoms of such severity, including severe pain, that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected by a prudent layperson who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine to:  

  • place an individual's health in serious jeopardy, or with respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the woman or her unborn child;
 
  • result in serious impairment to the individual's bodily functions; or
 
  • result in serious dysfunction of a bodily organ or part of the individual.
 

Emergency Admission - an Inpatient admission to a Hospital directly from a Hospital emergency room.  

Emergency Care - Covered Services that are furnished by a Provider within the Provider's license and as otherwise authorized by law that are needed to evaluate or Stabilize an individual in an emergency.  

Emergency Services - a medical screening examination as required by Federal Law that is within the capability of the emergency Department of the Hospital, including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency Department to evaluate an emergency medical Condition; and further medical examination and treatment that are required to Stabilize an emergency medical Condition and within the capabilities of the staff and facilities available at the Hospital, including any trauma or burn center at the Hospital.  

Excess Charges - the amount of Billed Charges in excess of the covered Traditional Amount or Non-Contracting Amount determined payable by Medical Mutual for a Non-Contracting Institutional Provider, a Non-Participating Physician or Other Professional Provider.  

Experimental or Investigational Drug, Device, Medical Treatment or Procedure - a drug, device, medical treatment or procedure is Experimental or Investigational:  

  • if the drug or device cannot be lawfully marketed without approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and approval for marketing has not been given at the time the drug or device is furnished;
 
  • if reliable evidence shows that the drug, device, medical treatment or procedure is the subject of on-going phase I, II or III clinical trials or is under study to determine maximum tolerated dose, toxicity, safety, efficacy, or efficacy as compared with the standard means of treatment or diagnosis; or
 
  • if reliable evidence shows that the consensus of opinion among experts regarding the drug, device, medical treatment or procedure is that further studies or clinical trials are necessary to determine its maximum tolerated dose, toxicity, safety, efficacy or efficacy as compared with the standard means of treatment or diagnosis.
 

Reliable evidence means only published reports and articles in the authoritative medical and scientific literature; the written protocol or protocols used by the treating facility or the protocol(s) of another facility studying substantially the same drug, device, medical treatment or procedure; or the written informed consent used by the treating facility or by another facility studying substantially the same drug, device, medical treatment or procedure. Determination will be made by Medical Mutual at its sole discretion and will be final and conclusive.  

F (return to top of page)

Federally Eligible Individual – 

  • an individual who has had an 18 month period of Creditable Coverage with final coverage through a group plan, governmental plan or church plan. Coverage, after which there was a break of more than 63 days does not count in the period of Creditable Coverage. Creditable Coverage will be counted based on the standard method without regard to specific benefits;
 
  • an individual who must apply within 63 days of the end of the termination date of your coverage under the group policy;
 
  • an individual must not be eligible for coverage under a group health plan, Medicare or Medicaid;
 
  • an individual must not have other health insurance coverage;
 
  • an individual whose most recent prior coverage has not been terminated for nonpayment of premium or fraud; and
 
  • if the individual elected COBRA coverage or Ohio extension of benefits coverage, the individual must exhaust all such continuation coverage to become a Federally Eligible Individual.  Termination for non-payment of premium does not constitute exhausting such coverage.
 

Full-time Student - an Eligible Dependent who is enrolled at an accredited institution of higher learning. It must be certified annually that the student meets the institution's requirements for full-time status.  

H (return to top of page)

Hospital - an Institution that meets the specifications of Chapter 3727 of the Ohio Revised Code, except for the requirement that such Institution be operated within the state of Ohio.  

I (return to top of page)

Immediate Family - the Certificate Holder and the Certificate Holder's spouse, parents, stepparents, grandparents, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, children and stepchildren by blood, marriage or adoption.  

Incurred - rendered to you by a Provider. All services rendered by the Institutional Provider during an Inpatient admission prior to termination of coverage are considered to be Incurred on the date of admission.  

Inpatient - a Covered Person who receives care as a registered bed patient in a Hospital or Other Facility Provider where a room and board charge is made.  

Institution (Institutional) - a Hospital or Other Facility Provider.  

L (return to top of page)

Legal Guardian - an individual who is either the natural guardian of a child or who was appointed a guardian of a child in a legal proceeding by a court having the appropriate jurisdiction.  

Lesser Amount - for Contracting and Participating Providers, the Lesser Amount means the Lesser of the Negotiated Amount or the Covered Charges. For Non-Participating Physicians and Other Professional Providers, the Lesser Amount means the lesser of the Billed Charges or Traditional Amount. For Non-Contracting Institutional Providers, the Lesser Amount means the Non-Contracting Amount.  

M (return to top of page)

Medical Care - professional services received from a Physician or an Other Professional Provider to treat a Condition.  

Medically Necessary (or Medical Necessity) - a service, supply and/or Prescription Drug that is required to diagnose or treat a Condition and which Medical Mutual determines is:  

 
  • not primarily for your convenience or the convenience of a Provider; and
 
  • the most appropriate supply or level of service which can be safely provided to you. When applied to the care of an Inpatient, this means that your medical symptoms or Condition require that the services cannot be safely or adequately provided to you as an Outpatient. When applied to Prescription Drugs, this means the Prescription Drug is cost effective compared to alternative Prescription Drugs which will produce comparable effective clinical results.
 

Medicare - the program of health care for the aged and disabled established by Title XVIII of the Social Security Act of 1965, as amended.  

Medicare Approved - the status of a Provider that is certified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to receive payment under Medicare.  

Mental Illness - a Condition classified as a mental disorder in the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) or the most recent version, excluding Drug Abuse and Alcoholism and excluding Biologically Based Mental Illness.  

N (return to top of page)

Negotiated Amount - the amount the Provider has agreed with Medical Mutual to accept as payment in full for Covered Services.  

The Negotiated Amount for Institutional Providers does not include adjustments and/or settlement due to prompt payment discounts, guaranteed discount corridor provisions, maximum charge increase limitation violations or any settlement, incentive, allowance or adjustment that does not accrue to a specific claim.  

The Negotiated Amount for Prescription Drugs does not include any share of formulary reimbursement savings, volume based credits or refunds or discount guarantees.  

The Negotiated Amount for Contracting Institutional Providers may exceed the Covered Charges.  

The Negotiated Amount for Participating Physicians and Other Professional Providers does not include any performance withhold adjustments.  

In certain circumstances, Medical Mutual may have an agreement or arrangement with a vendor who purchases the services, supplies or products from the Provider instead of Medical Mutual contracting directly with the Provider itself. In these circumstances, the Negotiated Amount will be based upon the agreement or arrangement Medical Mutual has with the vendor and not upon the vendor's actual negotiated price with the Provider, subject to the further conditions and limitations set forth herein.  

Non-Contracting - the status of a Hospital or Other Facility Provider that does not meet the definition of a Contracting Institutional Provider.  

Non-Contracting Amount - the maximum amount determined as payable and allowed by Medical Mutual for a Covered Service provided by a Non-Contracting Institutional Provider.  

Non-Covered Charges - Billed Charges for services and supplies that are not Covered Services.  

Non-Participating - the status of a Physician or Other Professional Provider that does not have an agreement with Medical Mutual about payment for Covered Services.  

Non-PPO Network Coinsurance - a percentage of the Lesser Amount for Non-PPO Network Providers {or the Covered Charges for Non-Contracting Institutional Providers for which you are responsible after you have met your Deductible or paid your Copayment, if applicable.  

Non-PPO Network Coinsurance Limit - a specified dollar amount of Non-PPO Network Coinsurance expense for which you are responsible in each Benefit Period.  

Non-PPO Network Deductible - an amount, usually stated in dollars, for which you are responsible each Benefit Period before Medical Mutual will start to provide benefits for services received from a Non-PPO Network Provider.  

Non-PPO Network Provider - a Physician or Other Professional Provider, Contracting Hospital or Contracting Other Facility Provider, Home Health Care Agency or HospiceProvider that is not designated by Medical Mutual as a PPO Network Provider.  

O (return to top of page)

Office Visit - Office visits include medical visits or Outpatient consultations in a Physician's office or patient's residence. A Physician's office can be defined as a medical/office building, Outpatient department of a Hospital, freestanding clinic facility or a Hospital based Outpatient clinic facility.  

Other Facility Provider - the following Institutions that are licensed, when required, and where Covered Services are rendered which require compensation from their patients. Other than incidentally, these facilities are not used as offices or clinics for the private practice of a Physician or Other Professional Provider. Medical Mutual will only provide benefits for services or supplies for which a charge is made. Only the following Institutions which are defined below are considered to be Other Facility Providers:  

  • Alcoholism Treatment Facility - a facility that mainly provides detoxification and/or rehabilitation treatment for Alcoholism.
 
  • Ambulatory Surgical Facility - a facility with an organized staff of Physicians that has permanent facilities and equipment for the primary purpose of performing surgical procedures strictly on an Outpatient basis. Treatment must be provided by or under the supervision of a Physician and also includes nursing services.
 
  • Day/Night Psychiatric Facility - a facility that is primarily engaged in providing diagnostic services and therapeutic services for the Outpatient treatment of Mental Illness and Biologically Based Mental Illness. These services are provided through either a day or night treatment program.
 
  • Dialysis Facility - a facility that mainly provides dialysis treatment, maintenance or training to patients on an Outpatient or home care basis.
 
  • Drug Abuse Treatment Facility - a facility that mainly provides detoxification and/or rehabilitation treatment for Drug Abuse.
 
  • Home Health Care Agency - a facility that meets the specifications of Chapter 3701.88 of the Ohio Revised Code, except for the requirement that such Institution be operated within the state of Ohio and which provides nursing and other services as specified in the Home Health Care Services section of the Certificate. A Home Health Care Agency is responsible for supervising the delivery of such services under a plan prescribed and approved in writing by the attending Physician.
 
  • Hospice Facility - a facility that provides supportive care for terminally ill patients as specified in the Hospice Services section of this Certificate.
 
  • Psychiatric Facility - a facility that is primarily engaged in providing diagnostic services and therapeutic services for the treatment of Mental Illness and Biologically Based Mental Illness on an Outpatient basis.
 
  • Psychiatric Hospital - a facility that is primarily engaged in providing diagnostic services and therapeutic services for the treatment of Mental Illness and Biologically Based Mental Illness on an Inpatient basis. Such services must be provided by or under the supervision of an organized staff of Physicians. Continuous nursing services must be provided under the supervision of a registered nurse.
 
  • Skilled Nursing Facility - a facility that primarily provides 24-hour Inpatient Skilled Care and related services to patients requiring convalescent and rehabilitative care. Such care must be provided by either a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or physical therapist performing under the supervision of a Physician.
 

Other Professional Provider - only the following persons or entities which are licensed as required:  

  • advanced nurse practitioner (A.N.P.);
 
  • ambulance services;
 
  • dentist;
 
  • doctor of chiropractic medicine;
 
  • durable medical equipment or prosthetic appliance vendor;
 
  • laboratory (must be Medicare Approved);
 
  • licensed independent social workers (L.I.S.W.);
 
  • licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.);
 
  • licensed professional clinical counselor;
 
  • licensed professional counselor;
 
  • licensed vocational nurse (L.V.N.);
 
  • mechanotherapist (licensed or certified prior to November 3, 1975);
 
  • nurse-midwife;
 
  • occupational therapist;
 
 
  • physical therapist;
 
  • physician assistant;
 
  • podiatrist;
 
 
  • registered nurse (R.N.);
 
  • registered nurse anesthetist; and
 
  • Urgent Care Provider.
 

Outpatient - the status of a Covered Person who receives services or supplies through a Hospital, Other Facility Provider, Physician or Other Professional Provider while not confined as an Inpatient.  

P (return to top of page)

Participating - the status of a Physician or Other Professional Provider that has an agreement with Medical Mutual about payment for Covered Services.  

Pharmacy - an Other Professional Provider that is a licensed establishment where Prescription Drugs are dispensed by a pharmacist licensed under applicable state law.}  

Physician - a person who is licensed and legally authorized to practice medicine.  

PPO Network Deductible - an amount, usually stated in dollars, for which you are responsible each Benefit Period before Medical Mutual will start to provide benefits, for services received from a PPO Network Provider.  

PPO Network Provider - a Physician, Other Professional Provider, Contracting Hospital or Contracting Other Facility Provider that is included in a limited panel of Providers as designated by Medical Mutual and for which the greatest benefit will be payable when one of these Providers is used.  

Prescription Drug (Federal Legend Drug) - any medication that by federal or state law may not be dispensed without a Prescription Order.  

Prescription Order - the request for medication by a Physician appropriately licensed to make such a request in the ordinary course of professional practice.  

Professional Charges - The cost of a Physician or Other Professional Provider's services before the application of the Negotiated Amount.  

Provider - a Hospital, Other Facility Provider, Physician or Other Professional Provider.  

Psychologist - an Other Professional Provider who is a licensed Psychologist having either a doctorate in psychology or a minimum of five years of clinical experience. In states where there is no licensure law, the Psychologist must be certified by the appropriate professional body.  

R (return to top of page)

Residential Treatment Facility  

  • A facility that provides care on a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, live-in basis for the evaluation and treatment of residents with psychiatric or chemical dependency disorders.
 
  • The facility provides room and board as well as providing an individual treatment plan for the chemical, psychological and social needs of each of its residents.
 
  • The facility meets all regional, state and federal licensing requirements.
 
  • The residential care treatment program is supervised by a professional staff of qualified Physician(s), licensed nurses, counselors and social workers.
 
  • Residents do not require care in an acute or more intensive medical setting.
 

Rider - a document that amends or supplements your coverage.  

Routine Services - Services not considered Medically Necessary.  

S (return to top of page)

Skilled Care - care that requires the skill, knowledge or training of a Physician or a:  

  • registered nurse;
 
  • licensed practical nurse; or
 
  • physical therapist
 

performing under the supervision of a Physician. In the absence of such care, the Covered Person's health would be seriously impaired. Such care cannot be taught to or administered by a lay person.  

Stabilize - the provision of medical treatment to you in an emergency as may be necessary to assure, within reasonable medical probability, that material deterioration of your Condition is not likely to result from or during any of the following:  

 
  • your transfer from an emergency department or other care setting to another facility; or
 
 

Surgery  

  • the performance of generally accepted operative and other invasive procedures;
 
  • the correction of fractures and dislocations;
 
  • usual and related preoperative and postoperative care; or
 
  • other procedures as reasonably approved by Medical Mutual.
 

T (return to top of page)

Traditional Amount - the maximum amount determined and allowed by Medical Mutual for a Covered Service provided by a Physician or Other Professional Provider based on factors, including the following:  

  • the actual amount billed by a Provider for a given service
 
  • Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)'s Resource Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS)
 
  • other fee schedules
 
 
  • geographic considerations; and
 
  • other economic and statistical indicators and applicable conversion factors.
 

Transplant Center - a facility approved by Medical Mutual that is an integral part of a Hospital and that:  

  • has consistent, fair and practical criteria for selecting patients for transplants;
 
  • has a written agreement with an organization that is legally authorized to obtain donor organs; and
 
  • complies with all federal and state laws and regulations that apply to transplants covered under the Certificate.
 

U (return to top of page)

United States - all the states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.  

Urgent Care Provider - an Other Professional Provider that performs services for health problems that require immediate medical attention which are not Emergencies.

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