HMO

See Health Maintenance Organization.

Home Health Agency

Certified facility approved by health plan to provide services.

Home Health Care

Care received at home in the form of part-time skilled nursing care, speech therapy, physical or occupational therapy, part-time services of home health aides or help from homemakers or choreworkers.

Health Benefits Package

Coverage offered by a health plan.

Health History

Form used by underwriters to evaluate groups or individuals to determine the risk.

Health Plan

Any kind of plan covering health care services such as HMOs, insured plans, preferred provider organizations, etc.

Health Insurance (HI)

Insurance against loss by sickness or bodily injury.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

A prepaid medical service plan providing services to plan members. Providers contract with the HMO to provide medical services to members. Contracted providers must be used. Emphasis is on preventive medicine.

Health Services

Benefits covered under a health contract.

Hospice

Organization providing primarily pain relief, symptom management and supportive services for the terminally ill and their families.

Hospital Affiliation

Contract with one or more hospitals agreeing to provide benefits to members of a specific health plan.

Hospital Alliances

Group of hospitals working together sharing common services and thereby reducing health costs. They are better able to compete with other alliances or chains.

Hospital Benefits

Benefits payable for hospital room and board, and miscellaneous charges as a result of hospitalization.

Hospital Income Insurance

Form of insurance providing stated weekly or monthly payment during hospitalization of insured regardless of expenses incurred and whether or not other insurance is in force.

Hospital Indemnity

Coverage pays based on daily, weekly, or monthly limits regardless of the amount of actual hospital expenses.

Hospitalization Expense Policy

Policy covering daily hospital room and board charges and miscellaneous hospital expenses (such as X-ray, etc.). Often covers emergency treatment charges and may also include a surgical benefit.

Hospitalization Insurance

Form of insurance providing reimbursement within contractual limits for hospital and specific related expenses arising from hospitalization caused by injury or sickness.