Definitions

The acquire date is the date that establishes a relationship between you and your dependents, such as date of marriage for a spouse, date of birth for a natural child or date of legal obligation if you are appointed as a guardian.

Allowance is the maximum amount a plan will pay for a covered health care service.

When obtaining services out-of-network, members can be subject to balance billing by the out-of-network provider. This is the process of billing a patient for the difference between the medical service provider's actual charges and the amount that the provider will be reimbursed from the patient's insurance benefits plan. For example, let's say that a doctor typically charges $100 for a certain service. An in-network doctor has agreed to provide the same service for a reduced rate of $75 and they write off the rest of the charge. An out-of-network provider has not agreed to any reduced rates as they do not have a contract with the carrier and will bill the entire charge of $100. However, the insurance carrier will not reimburse more than $75 for the service which means that you will owe the out-of-network provider the additional $25.

Claims are the bills received by the plan after a member obtains medical services.

Coinsurance is the percentage of a dollar amount that you pay for certain services. Unlike a fixed copay, coinsurance varies, depending on the total charge for a service.

A consumer-driven health plan (CDHP) is a type of medical insurance or plan that typically has a higher deductible and lower monthly premiums. Typically, you take responsibility for covering minor or routine health care expenses until your deductible is met. Once you meet your deductible, coinsurance applies.

A copay is a flat dollar amount that you pay for certain services like office visits and prescriptions.

A fixed dollar amount you must pay each year before the plan pays for services that require coinsurance.

The drug list is a list of covered drugs. The listing includes generic and preferred brand drugs covered by the plan. This list is often called a formulary.

The drugs covered by the state’s pharmacy benefit are grouped into three tiers — generic, preferred brand and non-preferred brand. Each tier has a different payment amount.

Under a fully insured plan, an insurance company, rather than a group sponsor (like the state) pays all claims. The sponsor pays a premium to the insurance company. The state’s dental and vision plans are fully-insured.

A generic drug (also called tier one) is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved copy of a brand name drug. A generic medicine is equal to the brand name product in safety, effectiveness, quality and performance. You pay the least when you fill a prescription with a generic drug.

Guarantee issue means that you cannot be denied coverage and do not have to answer questions about your health history as long as you enroll within a certain amount of time.

The head of contract is an employee who works for a participating employer group and enrolls in coverage during the initial eligibility timeframe. Two married employees who both work for participating employer groups could each be the head of their own contract or one could be the head of contract and the other a covered dependent spouse.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is legislation that protects health insurance coverage for persons who lose or change jobs and establishes a privacy rule and national standards for protecting personal health information. HIPAA means your personal health information can't be shared without your consent and protects your privacy.

In-network care is provided by a network provider. Costs for in-network care are usually less expensive than out-of-network care as a result of special agreements between insurance carriers and providers.

The maximum allowable charge (MAC) is the most that a plan will pay for a service from an in-network provider. If you go to an out-of-network provider who charges more than the MAC, you will pay the difference between the MAC and the actual charge.

Meeting your deductible means you have reached your annual deductible. This is the amount you pay each year before the plan pays for services that require coinsurance.

The negotiated rate is the amount that participating providers agree to accept as full payment for covered services.

A network is a group of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers contracted with a health insurance carrier to provide services to plan members for set fees.

A non-preferred brand drug (also called tier three) belongs to the most expensive group of drugs. You will pay the most if your prescription is filled with a non-preferred brand.

Out-of-network care refers to health care services from a provider who is not contracted with your insurance carrier. Costs for out-of-network care are usually more than for in-network care. The benefits paid are usually based on the maximum allowed by the plan. When out-of-network charges are higher than the maximum allowed, the member pays the difference.

An out-of-pocket maximum is the most you will pay for services in any given year. The out-of-pocket maximum does not include premiums. Once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, the plan pays 100 percent of your eligible expenses for the rest of the year. There are separate maximums for in-network and out-of-network services. There is a separate out-of-pocket maximum for in-network pharmacy in the standard and partnership options.

A preferred brand drug (also called tier two) belongs to a group of drugs that cost more than generics but less than non-preferred brands.

A PPO gives plan participants direct access to a network of doctors and facilities that charge pre-negotiated (and typically discounted) fees for the services they provide to members. Plan participants may self-refer to any doctor or specialist in the network. The benefit level covered through the plan typically depends on whether the member visits an in-network or out-of-network provider when seeking care.

The amount you pay each month for your coverage, regardless of whether or not you receive health services. What you pay depends on where you work (state, higher education, local education or local government) and the benefit option you select.

Preventive care refers to services or tests that help identify health risks. For example, preventive care includes screening mammograms and colonoscopies as well as regular blood pressure checks. In many cases, preventive care helps a patient avoid a serious or even life-threatening disease.

Primary care physician (also known as PCP) refers to your regular medical doctor. This is the doctor you see most often. A PCP can be a general practitioner, a doctor who practices family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics or an OB/GYN. Nurse practitioners, physician's assistants and nurse midwives (licensed health care facility only) may also be considered primary-type providers when working under the supervision of a primary care physician.

Under a self-insured plan, a group sponsor (like the state) or employer, rather than an insurance company, is financially responsible for paying the plan's expenses, including claims and plan administration costs. The state's health insurance plans are self-insured.

A rule that allows persons to request enrollment beyond the initial eligibility period due to certain life events.

A personal change in status, such as divorce or termination of spouse or ex-spouse's employment, which may allow persons to change benefit elections.

In the broadest sense of the word, Plan is the applicable State of Tennessee Comprehensive Medical and Hospitalization Program. Plan may also refer to specific group plans within the larger comprehensive plan, such as the state plan, the local education plan or the local government plan.