Linton and Associates Guide to Health Care Terms

If you have been to a health insurance office, talked to a representative on the phone, or ever made a claim on your policy in order to have your insurance company cover something, then you have probably heard a few different health insurance terms at some point or another. 

But, did you understand them or did they perhaps leave you feeling baffled?

At Linton and Associates, we want our customers to be as informed about what their health care involves and what all the technical ‘stuff’ means. This is why we have prepared the is guide to some of the more commonly used health insurance terms and have even explained them for you in plain English.

Key Health Care Terms and What They Mean

There are many health insurance terms and, while we can’t cover them all, we are sharing the ones we find most common and relevant below:

• Alternative Care is the action of visiting a chiropractor or homeopathic doctor for medical treatment. Not all health insurance will cover alternative care treatments.
• The Carry-Over Deductible allows the last three months of the current years deductible to be brought over into next year provided you haven’t used it all up.
• Co-pays are the fees you must pay when visiting your physician; it is typically a small amount anywhere between $10 and $40 per visit.
•  A Deductible is typically the amount you pay per calendar year to be provided health insurance.
• The Gate-Keeper is your primary doctor i.e., the expert you visit for all your medical needs and who decides if you get the prescription or referral that you are requesting.
•  Indemnity is a term used to describe a plan that covers loss, injury, and damages incurred. The amounts that are covered will vary depending on the plan.
• Insurance Broker is a company or individual that sells insurance policies. Linton and Associates is a great example of an Insurance Broker.
•  Limitations are the coverage limits that each plan has and these vary from plan to plan.
• The Waiting Period is the time that you must wait while employed with a company to fall under the company’s health insurance benefits. It is essentially a probationary period that can be compared to the type of waiting period that some companies call ‘training period.’

When it comes to medical insurance terms, the list is extensive. 

At Linton and Associates, we don’t like to keep our customers in the dark, which is why we hope that this glossary has some light on a few things. 

Remember, if you have any questions, always feel free to contact us and we would be happy to help you.