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Glossary
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A
Ambulatory Surgical Center
An Ambulatory Surgical Center is an entity that operates exclusively for the purpose of furnishing outpatient surgical services to patients not requiring hospitalization and whose expected stay in the center does not exceed 24 hours.
Annual Enrollment Period
A set time each fall when members can change their health or drug plans or switch to Original Medicare. The Annual Enrollment Period is from October 15 until December 7.
Appeal
An appeal is something you do if you disagree with our decision to deny a request for coverage of healthcare services or prescription drugs or payment for services or drugs you already received. You may also make an appeal if you disagree with our decision to stop services that you are receiving. For example, you may ask for an appeal if we don’t pay for a drug, item, or service you think you should be able to receive.
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B
Balance Billing
When a provider (such as a doctor or hospital) bills a patient more than the plan’s allowed cost sharing amount. As a member of Capital Blue Cross Medicare HMO, you only have to pay our plan’s cost sharing amounts when you get services covered by our plan. We do not allow providers to “balance bill” or otherwise charge you more than the amount of cost sharing your plan says you must pay.
Benefit Period
The way that both our plan and Original Medicare measures your use of hospital and skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. A benefit period begins the day you go into a hospital or skilled nursing facility. The benefit period ends when you haven’t received any inpatient hospital care (or skilled care in a SNF) for 60 days in a row. If you go into a hospital or a skilled nursing facility after one benefit period has ended, a new benefit period begins. There is no limit to the number of benefit periods.
Brand Name Drug
A prescription drug that is manufactured and sold by the pharmaceutical company that originally researched and developed the drug. Brand name drugs have the same active-ingredient formula as the generic version of the drug. However, generic drugs are manufactured and sold by other drug manufacturers and are generally not available until after the patent on the brand name drug has expired.
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C
Catastrophic Coverage Limit
When your out-of-pocket costs have reached the set dollar limit for the calendar year.
Catastrophic Coverage Stage
The stage in the Part D Drug Benefit where you pay a low copayment or coinsurance for your drugs after you or other qualified parties on your behalf have spent $5,100 in covered drugs during the covered year.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
The Federal agency that administers Medicare.
Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF)
A facility that mainly provides rehabilitation services after an illness or injury, and provides a variety of services including physical therapy, social or psychological services, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services, and home environment evaluation services.
Copayment
An amount you may be required to pay as your share of the cost for a medical service or supply, like a doctor’s visit, hospital outpatient visit, or a prescription drug. A copayment is usually a set amount, rather than a percentage. For example, you might pay $10 or $20 for a doctor’s visit or prescription drug.
Cost-sharing
Cost-sharing refers to amounts that a member has to pay when services or drugs are received. This is in addition to the plan’s monthly premium. Cost-sharing includes any combination of the following three types of payments:
- A deductible amount a plan may impose before services or drugs are covered
- A fixed “copayment” amount that a plan requires when a specific service or drug is received
- A “coinsurance” amount, a percentage of the total amount paid for a service or drug, that a plan requires when a specific service or drug is received. A “daily cost-sharing rate” may apply when your doctor prescribes less than a full month’s supply of certain drugs for you and you are required to pay a copay.
Cost-Sharing Tier
Every drug on the list of covered drugs is in one of five cost-sharing tiers. In general, the higher the cost-sharing tier, the higher your cost for the drug.
Coverage Determination
A decision about whether a drug prescribed for you is covered by the plan and the amount, if any, you are required to pay for the prescription. In general, if you bring your prescription to a pharmacy and the pharmacy tells you the prescription isn’t covered under your plan, that isn’t a coverage determination. You need to call or write to your plan to ask for a formal decision about the coverage.
Covered Drugs
The term we use to mean all of the prescription drugs covered by our plan.
Covered Services
The general term we use to mean all of the healthcare services and supplies that are covered by our plan
Creditable Prescription Drug Coverage
Prescription drug coverage (for example, from an employer or union) that is expected to pay, on average, at least as much as Medicare’s standard prescription drug coverage. People who have this kind of coverage when they become eligible for Medicare can generally keep that coverage without paying a penalty, if they decide to enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage later.
Custodial Care
Custodial care is personal care provided in a nursing home, hospice, or other facility setting when you do not need skilled medical care or skilled nursing care. Custodial care is personal care that can be provided by people who don’t have professional skills or training, such as help with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, eating, getting in or out of a bed or chair, moving around, and using the bathroom. It may also include the kind of health-related care that most people do themselves, like using eye drops. Medicare doesn’t pay for custodial care.
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D
Daily Cost-Sharing Rate
A “daily cost-sharing rate” may apply when your doctor prescribes less than a full month’s supply of certain drugs for you and you are required to pay a copay. A daily cost sharing rate is the copay divided by the number of days in a month’s supply. Here is an example: If your copay for a one-month supply of a drug is $30, and a one-month’s supply in your plan is 30 days, then your “daily cost-sharing rate” is $1 per day. This means you pay $1 for each day’s supply when you fill your prescription.
Deductible
The amount you must pay for healthcare or prescriptions before our plan begins to pay.
Disenroll or Disenrollment
The process of ending your membership in our plan. Disenrollment may be voluntary (your own choice) or involuntary (not your own choice).
Dispensing Fee
A fee charged each time a covered drug is dispensed to pay for the cost of filling a prescription. The dispensing fee covers costs such as the pharmacist’s time to prepare and package the prescription.
Durable Medical Equipment
Certain medical equipment that is ordered by your doctor for medical reasons. Examples are walkers, wheelchairs, or hospital beds.
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Emergency
A medical emergency is when you, or any other prudent layperson with an average knowledge of health and medicine, believe that you have medical symptoms that require immediate medical attention to prevent loss of life, loss of a limb, or loss of function of a limb. The medical symptoms may be an illness, injury, severe pain, or a medical condition that is quickly getting worse.
Emergency Care
Covered services that are rendered by a provider qualified to furnish emergency services and services needed to treat, evaluate, or stabilize an emergency medical condition.
Evidence of Coverage (EOC) and Disclosure Information
This document, along with your enrollment form and any other attachments, riders, or other optional coverage selected, which explains your coverage, what we must do, your rights, and what you have to do as a member of our plan.
Exception
A type of coverage determination that, if approved, allows you to get a drug that is not on your plan sponsor’s formulary (a formulary exception), or get a non-preferred drug at the preferred cost-sharing level (a tiering exception). You may also request an exception if your plan sponsor requires you to try another drug before receiving the drug you are requesting, or the plan limits the quantity or dosage of the drug you are requesting (a formulary exception).
Extra Help
A Medicare program to help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare prescriptions drug program costs, such as premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.Web Content Viewer - Fixed Context
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Generic Drug
A prescription drug that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as having the same active ingredient(s) as the brand name drug. Generally, a “generic” drug works the same as a brand name drug and usually costs less.
Grievance
A type of complaint you make about us or one of our network providers or pharmacies, including a complaint concerning the quality of your care. This type of complaint does not involve coverage or payment disputes.
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Home Health Aide
A home health aide provides services that don’t need the skills of a licensed nurse or therapist, such as help with personal care (e.g., bathing, using the toilet, dressing, or carrying out the prescribed exercises). Home health aides do not have a nursing license or provide therapy.
Hospice
An enrollee who has six months or less to live has the right to elect hospice. We, your plan, must provide you with a list of hospices in your geographic area. If you elect hospice and continue to pay premiums you are still a member of our plan. You can still obtain all medically necessary services as well as the supplemental benefits we offer. The hospice will provide special treatment for your state.
Hospital Inpatient Stay
A hospital stay when you have been formally admitted to the hospital for skilled medical services. Even if you stay in the hospital overnight, you might still be considered an “outpatient."
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Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA)
If your income is above a certain limit, you will pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount in addition to your plan premium. For example, individuals with income greater than $85,000 and married couples with income greater than $170,000 must pay a higher Medicare Part B (medical insurance) and Medicare prescription drug coverage premium amount. This additional amount is called the income-related monthly adjustment amount. Less than 5% of people with Medicare are affected, so most people will not pay a higher premium.
Initial Coverage Limit
The maximum limit of coverage under the Initial Coverage Stage.
Initial Coverage Stage
This is the stage before your total drug expenses have reached the set dollar limit, including amounts you’ve paid and what our plan has paid on your behalf.
Initial Enrollment Period
When you are first eligible for Medicare, the period of time when you can sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B. For example, if you’re eligible for Medicare when you turn 65, your Initial Enrollment Period is the seven month period that begins three months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65.
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Late Enrollment Penalty
An amount added to your monthly premium for Medicare drug coverage if you go without creditable coverage (coverage that is expected to pay, on average, at least as much as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage) for a continuous period of 63 days or more. You pay this higher amount as long as you have a Medicare drug plan. There are some exceptions. For example, if you receive “Extra Help” from Medicare to pay your prescription drug plan costs, the late enrollment penalty rules do not apply to you. If you receive “Extra Help”, you do not pay a penalty, even if you go without “creditable” prescription drug coverage.
List of Covered Drugs (Formulary or “Drug List”)
A list of prescription drugs covered by the plan. The drugs on this list are selected by the plan with the help of doctors and pharmacists. The list includes both brand name and generic drugs.
Low Income Subsidy (LIS)
See “Extra Help.”Web Content Viewer - Fixed Context
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Maximum Out-of-Pocket Amount
The most that you pay out-of-pocket during the calendar year for in-network covered Part A and Part B services. Amounts you pay for your plan premiums (Capital Blue Cross Medicare HMO Premier and Value), Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, and prescription drugs do not count toward the maximum out-of-pocket amount.
Medicaid (or Medical Assistance)
A joint Federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with low incomes and limited resources. Medicaid programs vary from state to state, but most healthcare costs are covered if you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Medically Accepted Indication
A use of a drug that is either approved by the Food and Drug Administration or supported by certain reference books.
Medically Necessary
Services, supplies, or drugs that are needed for the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of your medical condition and meet accepted standards of medical practice.
Medicare
The Federal health insurance program for people 65 years of age or older, some people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (generally those with permanent kidney failure who need dialysis or a kidney transplant). People with Medicare can get their Medicare health coverage through Original Medicare, a PACE plan, or a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period
A set time each year when members in a Medicare Advantage plan can cancel their plan enrollment and switch to Original Medicare. The Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period is from January 1 until March 31.
Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan
Sometimes called Medicare Part C. A plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. A Medicare Advantage Plan can be an HMO, PPO, a Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plan, or a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) plan. When you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare services are covered through the plan, and are not paid for under Original Medicare. In most cases, Medicare Advantage Plans also offer Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage). These plans are called Medicare Advantage Plans with Prescription Drug Coverage. Everyone who has Medicare Part A and Part B is eligible to join any Medicare health plan that is offered in their area, except people with End-Stage Renal Disease (unless certain exceptions apply).
Medicare Coverage Gap Discount Program
A program that provides discounts on most covered Part D brand name drugs to Part D enrollees who have reached the Coverage Gap Stage and who are not already receiving “Extra Help.” Discounts are based on agreements between the Federal government and certain drug manufacturers. For this reason, most, but not all, brand name drugs are discounted.
Medicare-Covered Services
Services covered by Medicare Part A and Part B. All Medicare health plans, including our plan, must cover all of the services that are covered by Medicare Part A and B.
Medicare Health Plan
A Medicare health plan is offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide Part A and Part B benefits to people with Medicare who enroll in the plan. This term includes all Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Cost Plans, Demonstration/Pilot Programs, and Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Medicare Part D)
Insurance to help pay for outpatient prescription drugs, vaccines, biologicals, and some supplies not covered by Medicare Part A or Part B.
“Medigap” (Medicare Supplement Insurance) Policy
Medicare supplement insurance sold by private insurance companies to fill “gaps” in Original Medicare. Medigap policies only work with Original Medicare. (A Medicare Advantage Plan is not a Medigap policy.)
Member (Member of our Plan or “Plan Member”)
A person with Medicare who is eligible to get covered services, who has enrolled in our plan and whose enrollment has been confirmed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Member Services
A department within our plan responsible for answering your questions about your membership, benefits, grievances, and appeals.
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Network Pharmacy
See Extra Help.
Network Provider
“Provider” is the general term we use for doctors, other healthcare professionals, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities that are licensed or certified by Medicare and by the State to provide healthcare services. We call them “network providers” when they have an agreement with our plan to accept our payment as payment in full, and in some cases to coordinate as well as provide covered services to members of our plan. Our plan pays network providers based on the agreements it has with the providers or if the providers agree to provide you with plan-covered services. Network providers may also be referred to as “plan providers.”
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Organization Determination
The Medicare Advantage plan has made an organization determination when it makes a decision about whether items or services are covered or how much you have to pay for covered items or services. The Medicare Advantage plan’s network provider or facility has also made an organization determination when it provides you with an item or service, or refers you to an out-of-network provider for an item or service.
Original Medicare (“Traditional Medicare” or “Fee-for-service” Medicare)
Original Medicare is offered by the government, and not a private health plan like Medicare Advantage Plans and prescription drug plans. Under Original Medicare, Medicare services are covered by paying doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers payment amounts established by Congress. You can see any doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider that accepts Medicare. You must pay the deductible. Medicare pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount, and you pay your share. Original Medicare has two parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) and is available everywhere in the United States.
Out-of-Network Pharmacy
A pharmacy that doesn’t have a contract with our plan to coordinate or provide covered drugs to members of our plan. As explained in this Evidence of Coverage, most drugs you get from out-of-network pharmacies are not covered by our plan unless certain conditions apply.
Out-of-Network Provider or Out-of-Network Facility
A provider or facility with which we have not arranged to coordinate or provide covered services to members of our plan. Out-of-network providers are providers that are not employed, owned, or operated by our plan or are not under contract to deliver covered services to you.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
See the definition for “cost sharing” above. A member’s cost-sharing requirement to pay for a portion of services or drugs received is also referred to as the member’s “out-of-pocket” cost requirement.Web Content Viewer - Fixed Context
P
PACE plan
A PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) plan combines medical, social, and long-term care services for frail people to help people stay independent and living in their community (instead of moving to a nursing home) as long as possible, while getting the high-quality care they need. People enrolled in PACE plans receive both their Medicare and Medicaid benefits through the plan.
Part C
See “Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan.”
Part D
The voluntary Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program. (For ease of reference, we will refer to the prescription drug benefit program as Part D.)
Part D Drugs
Drugs that can be covered under Part D. We may or may not offer all Part D drugs. (See your formulary for a specific list of covered drugs.) Certain categories of drugs were specifically excluded by Congress from being covered as Part D drugs.
Preferred Cost-Sharing
Preferred cost-sharing means lower cost-sharing for certain covered Part D drugs at certain network pharmacies.
Preferred Network Pharmacy
A network pharmacy that offers covered drugs to members of our plan that may have lower cost-sharing levels than at other network pharmacies.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan
A Preferred Provider Organization plan is a Medicare Advantage Plan that has a network of contracted providers that have agreed to treat plan members for a specified payment amount. A PPO plan must cover all plan benefits whether they are received from network or out-of-network providers. Member cost sharing will generally be higher when plan benefits are received from out-of-network providers. PPO plans have an annual limit on your out-of-pocket costs for services received from network (preferred) providers and a higher limit on your total combined out-of-pocket costs for services from both in-network (preferred) and out-of-network (non-preferred) providers.
Premium
The periodic payment to Medicare, an insurance company, or a healthcare plan for health or prescription drug coverage.
Primary Care Physician (PCP)
Your primary care provider is the doctor or other provider you see first for most health problems. He or she makes sure you get the care you need to keep you healthy. He or she also may talk with other doctors and healthcare providers about your care and refer you to them. In many Medicare health plans, you must see your primary care provider before you see any other healthcare provider.
Prior Authorization
Approval in advance to get services or certain drugs that may or may not be on our formulary. Some in-network medical services are covered only if your doctor or other network provider gets “prior authorization” from our plan. Some drugs are covered only if your doctor or other network provider gets “prior authorization” from us. Covered drugs that need prior authorization are marked in the formulary.
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Quality Improvement Organization (QIO)
A group of practicing doctors and other healthcare experts paid by the Federal government to check and improve the care given to Medicare patients.
Quantity Limits
A management tool that is designed to limit the use of selected drugs for quality, safety, or utilization reasons. Limits may be on the amount of the drug that we cover per prescription or for a defined period of time.Web Content Viewer - Fixed Context
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Rehabilitation Services
These services include physical therapy, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy.
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Service Area
A geographic area where a health plan accepts members if it limits membership based on where people live. For plans that limit which doctors and hospitals you may use, it’s also generally the area where you can get routine (non-emergency) services. The plan may disenroll you if you permanently move out of the plan’s service area.
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Care
Skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services provided on a continuous, daily basis, in a skilled nursing facility. Examples of skilled nursing facility care include physical therapy or intravenous injections that can only be given by a registered nurse or doctor.
Special Enrollment Period
A set time when members can change their health or drug plans or return to Original Medicare. Situations in which you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period include: if you move outside the service area, if you are getting “Extra Help” with your prescription drug costs, if you move into a nursing home, or if we violate our contract with you.
Standard Cost-Sharing
Standard cost-sharing is cost-sharing other than preferred cost-sharing offered at a network pharmacy.
Step Therapy
A utilization tool that requires you to first try another drug to treat your medical condition before we will cover the drug your physician may have initially prescribed.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A monthly benefit paid by Social Security to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 and older. SSI benefits are not the same as Social Security benefits.
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Urgently Needed Care
Urgently needed care is care provided to treat a non-emergency, unforeseen medical illness, injury, or condition that requires immediate medical care. Urgently needed care may be furnished by network providers or by out-of-network providers when network providers are temporarily unavailable or inaccessible.
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Updated January 1, 2025
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