The cost of health plan coverage, not including any required deductibles or copayments.

A state agency that regulates insurance and can provide information about Medigap policies and other private insurance.

A certain period of time when you can join a health plan or enroll in a Medicare plan. During that time, the plan must allow all eligible individuals to join. For people who receive coverage from their employer or association, the enrollment period usually occurs once a year or whenever you experience a life change (getting married, having/adopting [..]

Medical services provided to treat an illness or injury, usually for a short time. The opposite of chronic, or long-term, care.

A disease or condition that comes on rapidly and severely, but can-with proper treatment-be cured, such as pneumonia or a broken bone.

The period of time between November 15 and December 31 of every year when you can change your Medicare private drug plan and/or your Medicare health plan choice for the following year. This is also the time you can enroll in the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Part D) if you did not enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (you may have to [..]

A special kind of complaint you make if you disagree with certain kinds of decisions made by Original Medicare or by your health plan. You can appeal if you request a health care service, supply or prescription that you think you should be able to get from your health plan, or you request payment for health care you already received, and Medicare o [..]

The fee that Medicare sets as its rate for a medical service. Medicare will cover 80 percent of this amount (or 50 percent for mental health services) and you (or your supplemental insurance) are responsible for the remainder. All doctors and other providers who take assignment must accept this approved amount as full payment, even if they normally [..]

In Original Medicare (Parts A and B), this means a doctor or supplier agrees to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. If you are in the Original Medicare plan, it can save you money if your doctor accepts assignment. You still pay your share of the cost of doctor visits.

Health insurance arrangement sponsored by business coalitions and trade and professional associations. AHPs operate under states insurance laws and regulations. Current legislative proposals would regulate AHPs primarily under federal law.