Dictionary
The Dictionary provides concise definitions of health economics terms, arranged alphabetically for quick reference. Use it to understand unfamiliar terminology or confirm the meaning of a specific term.
B
- Balance Billing ProtectionTermSurprise-Billing Protection, No-Balance-Bill Rule
- A regulatory safeguard preventing providers from billing patients the difference between their charge and insurance payment, particularly for emergency care.
E
- Emergency CareTermAcute Emergency Treatment, Emergency Department Care
- Immediate medical treatment addressing an acute, potentially life-threatening condition, typically delivered in a hospital emergency department.
- Emergency Care CostTermED Cost, Emergency Treatment Expense
- The expense of treatment provided in an emergency department or urgent care setting, typically higher per visit than equivalent primary care.
- Emergency Care CoverageTermEmergency Access Coverage, Emergency Service Reach
- A measure of the extent to which a population has timely access to needed emergency medical services, reflecting response capacity.
F
- Free Rider Problem in InsuranceTermInsurance Free Riding, Coverage Free-Riding
- The tendency for healthy individuals to skip buying insurance while relying on emergency care or others' willingness to fund risk pools.
S
- Surprise BillingTermSurprise Medical Bill, Unexpected Bill
- A situation where a patient receives an unexpected bill from an out-of-network provider, most commonly during emergency care.