It can be hard to keep track of all the acronyms you need to know about your health coverage.
We've compiled a list of the most important ones so you can quickly look up anything you don't know as you make the most of your health insurance plan.
If you need definitions of important terms, visit our Glossary.
ACA: (Patient Protection and) Affordable Care Act
ACO: Accountable Care Organization
AD&D: Accidental Death and Dismemberment
ADA: American with Disabilities Act of 1990
ALOS: Average Length of Stay
AMA: American Medical Association
APTC: Advanced Premium Tax Credit
ASC: Ambulatory Surgery Center
Auth: Authorization
BOI: Bureau of Insurance
CDHP: Consumer-Directed Health Plan
CHAMPUS: Civilian Hospital and Medical Program of the Uniformed Service. Now known as Tricare.
CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
CIN: Clinically Integrated Network
CMS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (previously HCFA)
COB: Coordination of Benefits
COBRA: Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act (extension of coverage)
COI: Certificate of Insurance
CPT: Current Procedural Terminology (Level 1 codes)
DMAS: Department of Medical Assistance Services
DME: Durable Medical Equipment
DOL: Department of Labor
DOS: Date of Service
E & L: Exclusions and Limitations
EAP: Employee Assistance Program
EMT: Emergency Medical Technician
ENT: Ears, Nose and Throat
EOB: Explanation of Benefits
EOC: Evidence of Coverage (HMO / POS Plan Documentation)
ER: Emergency Room
ERISA: Employee Retirement Income Security Act
FAMIS: Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan
FDA: Food and Drug Administration
FEHBP: Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan
FFS: Fee for Service
FMLA: Family and Medical Leave Act
FSA: Flexible Spending Account
HDHP: High-Deductible Health Plan
HEDIS®: Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HMO: Health Maintenance Organization
HRA: Health Reimbursement Account
HSA: Health Savings Account
ICU: Intensive Care Unit
IRF: Inpatient Reading Fee
IUD: Intrauterine Device
IV: Intravenous
JCAHO: Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospital Organizations
LOS: Length of Stay
LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse
LTD: Long Term Disability
Max: Maximum
MD: Medical Doctor
MOOP: Maximum Out of Pocket
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
NAIC: National Association of Insurance Commissioners
NCQA: National Committee for Quality Assurance
NIMH: National Institute of Mental Health
Non-par: Not participating (out-of-network)
NPI: National Provider Identifier
OB: Obstetrician
OOA: Out of Area
OOP: Out of Pocket
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Act
OTC: Over the Counter
OV: Office Visit
P&T: Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee
Par: Participating
PCMH: Patient Centered Medical Home
PCP: Primary Care Physician
PHA: Personal Health Assessment
PHI: Protected Health Information
POA: Power of Attorney
POS: Point of Service
PPACA: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
PPO: Preferred Provider Organization
Pre-auth: Pre-Authorization
Pre-X: Pre-existing Conditions
PSA: Prostate Screening Antigen
PT: Physical Therapy
QHP: Qualified Health Plan
Remit: Remittance
Retro: Retroactive
RN: Registered Nurse
ROI: Release of Information
RX: Prescription
SBC: Uniform Summary of Benefits and Coverage
SF: Self-Funded
SNF: Skilled Nursing Facility
ST: Speech Therapy
STD: Short-Term Disability
TEFRA: Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982
TPA: Third-Party Administrator
TRICARE: Managed Healthcare System for military families
UCC: Urgent Care Center
URI: Upper Respiratory Infection
VA Hospital: Veterans Administration Hospital
WC: Worker's Compensation
WH: Withhold
WIC: Women, Infants and Children (supplemental food program)
YTD: Year to Date
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