Health Care Acronyms
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.
ACA: (Patient Protection and) Affordable Care Act
AD&D: Accidental Death and Dismemberment
ADA: American with Disabilities Act of 1990
AMA: American Medical Association
APTC: Advanced Premium Tax Credit
ASC: Ambulatory Surgery Center
Auth: Authorization
CDHP: Consumer-Directed Health Plan
CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
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
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
EOB: Explanation of Benefits
EOC: Evidence of Coverage (HMO / POS Plan Documentation)
ER: Emergency Room
ERISA: Employee Retirement Income Security Act
FFS: Fee for Service
FMLA: Family and Medical Leave Act
FSA: Flexible Spending Account
HDHP: High-Deductible Health Plan
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HMO: Health Maintenance Organization
HRA: Health Reimbursement Account
HSA: Health Savings Account
LTD: Long Term Disability
MOOP: Maximum Out of Pocket
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
NAIC: National Association of Insurance Commissioners
NCQA: National Committee for Quality Assurance
NPI: National Provider Identifier
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
PCP: Primary Care Physician
PHA: Personal Health Assessment
PHI: Protected Health Information
POS: Point of Service
PPACA: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
PPO: Preferred Provider Organization
Pre-auth: Pre-Authorization
Pre-X: Pre-existing Conditions
QHP: Qualified Health Plan
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
TPA: Third-Party Administrator
TRICARE: Managed Healthcare System for military families
UCC: Urgent Care Center
WC: Worker's Compensation
WIC: Women, Infants and Children (supplemental food program)
YTD: Year to Date