Health Care Reform: Common Acronyms
There are a growing number of acronyms used in health care reform-related materials today. Here is a list of common acronyms and a definition for each:
ACA:
The Affordable Care Act. Used to refer to the final, amended version of the health care reform legislation.
CDC:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CHIP:
The Children's Health Insurance Program. Program that provides health insurance to low-income children, and in some states, pregnant women who do not qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford to purchase private health insurance.
DOL:
United States Department of Labor.
EBSA:
Employee Benefits Security Administration. A division of the DOL responsible for compliance assistance regarding benefit plans.
EPO Plan:
An exclusive provider organization plan. A managed care plan that only covers services in the plan's network of doctors, specialists or hospitals (except in an emergency).
ERRP:
The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. A temporary program created under health care reform to provide coverage to early retirees.
FPL:
Federal poverty level. A measure of income level issued annually by HHS and used to determine eligibility for certain programs and benefits.
FLSA:
The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Amended by PPACA to incorporate health care reform-specific provisions.
FSA:
Flexible spending account. Read our blog article on FSA eligible expenses.
HCERA:
The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Enacted on March 30, 2010, to amend and supplement PPACA.
HCR:
Health care reform.
HDHP:
High deductible health plan.
HHS:
United States Department of Health and Human Services.
HMO:
Health maintenance organization. A type of health insurance plan that typically limits coverage to care from medical providers who work for or contract with the HMO.
HRA:
Health reimbursement arrangement or account.
HSA:
Health savings account.
IRO:
An independent review organization. An organization that performs independent external reviews of adverse benefit determinations.
MLR:
Medical loss ratio. Refers to the claims costs and amounts expended on health care quality improvement as a percent of total premiums. This ratio excludes taxes, fees, risk adjustments, risk corridors and reinsurance.
NAIC:
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
OCIIO:
The Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. A division of HHS responsible for implementing many of the health care reform provisions.
OOP:
Out-of-pocket limit. The maximum amount you have to pay for covered services in a plan year.
PCE:
Pre-existing condition exclusion. A plan provision imposing an exclusion of benefits due to a pre-existing condition.
PCIP:
The Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan. A temporary high-risk insurance pool that provided coverage to eligible individuals until 2014.
POS Plan:
Point-of-service plan. A type of plan in which you pay less if you go to doctors, hospitals and other health care providers that belong to the plan's network. POS plans require a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist.
PPACA:
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Enacted on March 23, 2010, as the primary health care reform law.
PPO:
Preferred provider organization. A type of health plan that contracts with medical providers (doctors, hospitals) to create a network of participating providers. You pay less when using providers in the plan's network, but can use providersoutside the network for an additional cost.
QHP:
Qualified health plan. A certified health plan that provides an essential health benefits package. Offered by a licensed health insurer.
SHOP Exchange:
The Small Business Health Options Program. A program that each health insurance exchange must create to assist eligible small employers when enrolling their employees in qualified health plans offered in the small-group market.
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