Abdomen The lower part of the body between the chest and the pelvis. |
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Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) Uterine bleeding resulting from the presence of uterine pathology. |
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Absorbent products Disposable and non-disposable items (usually pads) worn with an undergarment to contain urine leakage. |
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Adenomyosis Benign invasive growth of the endometrium into the myometri. |
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Adnexal tissue Round, ovarian, broad-ligaments and fallopian tubes. |
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Adverse selection The problem of attracting members who are sicker than the general population, specifically, members who are sicker than was anticipated when developing the rates of reimbursement for medical costs. |
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Affiliated provider A health care provider or facility that is part of the Managed Care Organization's (MCO) network, usually having formal arrangements to provide services to the MCO's member. |
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Affiliated provider A health care provider or facility that is part of the Managed Care Organization's (MCO) network, usually having formal arrangements to provide services to the MCO's member. |
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Ambulatory care All types of health services that are provided on an outpatient basis, in contrast to services provided in the home or to persons who are hospital inpatients. |
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Amenorrhea Absence of menstrual flow. |
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Anal canal A muscular tube from the rectum to the anus that stool passes through |
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Anal sphincter A muscular portion of the anal canal that controls the flow of stool from the body. |
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Anemia Low iron in blood or reduced blood count. |
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Anesthesia The loss of all sensation in a specific area of the body (local anesthesia) or throughout the entire body (general anesthesia). |
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Anovulation Condition in which ovulation does not occur. |
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Antenna An electric element used to emit high frequency electrical energy. |
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Antibiotic A medication used to prevent or treat infection. |
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Anticholinergic drugs Medications used to relax spastic bladder muscles |
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Antroverted uterus The uterus bends up and forward (towards the patient;s abdominal wall). |
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Appeal To formally request a health plan to change a decision. |
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Asherman's Syndrome Intrauterine adhesions, generally as a result of surgical intervention or pathology. |
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Autonomic dysreflexia A complication of spinal cord injury or neurologic disease. When nerves below the injured or diseased area are irritated or stimulated, the body responds with symptoms which include sweating, flushing of the skin, stuffy nose, headache, increase in blood pressure, or a change in heart rate or rhythm. Autonomic dysreflexia is sometimes referred to as autonomic hyperreflexia. |
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Benefits The payment for or health care services provided under terms of a contract with a MCO. |
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Benign Not caused by cancer. |
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Biocompatible Does not produce a toxic or immunological response to the body. |
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Biofeedback Behavioral technique used in bladder control therapy. Exercises are taught in an effort to isolate and strengthen pelvic floor muscles. |
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Bladder A sac where urine is collected and stored. |
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Bladder augmentation Surgical procedure in which the bladder is increased in size with bowel tissue. |
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Bladder instability Involuntary bladder contractions that produce a strong desire to urinate and make it hard to hold urine. Often, this condition can be treated successfully with bladder training and medication. |
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Bladder neck The place where the urethra and bladder connect. |
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Bladder spasm An involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction of the bladder. |
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Body of uterus Middle third of uterus. |
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BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) A non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that can cause narrowing or closure of the urethra. |
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Bulbar scrotal junction The area of the urethra where the penis meets the body. |
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Bulbar urethra The area of the urethra between the external sphincter and the bulbar scrotal junction. |
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Bulbous urethra The curved, wider portion of the urethra that passes through the penis. |
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Bulking procedure Office procedure in which collagen or some other material is injected to augment and enlarge the bladder neck to facilitate closure. |
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Capitation A dollar amount established to cover the cost of health care services delivered for a person during a specified length of time. The term usually refers to a negotiated per capita rate to be paid periodically to a health care provider by a MCO. The provider is then responsible for delivering or arranging the delivery of all health services required by the covered person under the conditions of the provider contract. This term may also refer to the amount paid to a MCO by HCFA or a State. |
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Carcinoma Tumor that is cancerous. |
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Carve out One or more services excluded from those required to be provided under the capitation rates. These services may be paid on a fee-for-service or other basis. |
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Case management A process and technique to manage the care of specific health care needs (often multiple) in a way that is designed to achieve the optimum patient outcome in the most cost-effective manner. |
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Case manager A nurse, doctor, or social worker who works with patients, providers and insurers to coordinate all services deemed necessary to provide the patient with a plan of medically necessary and appropriate health care. |
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Catheter A flexible tube inserted into a body opening, duct or vessel to carry fluids either into or out of the body. |
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Catheterization Inserting a catheter into the urethra. |
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Cervical dilators Probes of incremental size variance used to increase the opening of the cervix. |
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Cervix The lower, narrower portion of the uterus (""neck""). It is a muscular ring approximately 4 cm in length that projects into the vagina. |
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Chronic urge incontinence Urge incontinence that persists over a long period of time. |
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Closed access A managed health care arrangement in which covered persons are required to select providers only from the plan's participating providers. |
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Co-insurance The portion of covered health care expenses that must be met by the policyholder, in addition to the deductible. This figure is usually expressed as a percentage. For example, in a traditional 80/20 plan, the insurer pays 80 percent of the doctor's bill and the patient pays 20 percent. This is based on the insurance company's definition of what constitutes a physician's ""reasonable and customary"" fee. NOTE: Many physicians' charges are higher than the ""reasonable and customary"" fee and the patient is responsible for 100 percent of the excess amount. This is known as ""balance billing. |
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Co-payment A cost-sharing arrangement in which a member pays a specified charge for a specified service (e.g., $10 for an office visit). The member is usually responsible for payment at the time the service is rendered. |
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Coaxial cable An insulated braided cable, through which an electrical conductor runs, used to transmit high frequency electrical energy. |
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Condom catheter An external, soft latex sheath worn over the penis to catch urine and empty it into a bag worn on the leg. |
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Conductive energy Transfer of heat energy from one object to another by means of direct contact. |
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Constipation Constipation is difficult or incomplete removal of stool from the body. |
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Contraindication Special symptoms or circumstances that increase the risks or chance of harm if you use the device. |
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Cost sharing A general set of financing arrangements in which a covered member must pay a portion of the costs associated with receiving care. (See also copayment, coinsurance and deductible). |
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Credentialing Managed care plan's review of a physician's background and current professional standing before contracting with him or her. This will usually require evidence of graduation from an accredited medical school, a current state medical license, hospital privileges in good standing, and a professional liability claims history, including chemical dependency, felony convictions and disciplinary actions. |
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Cryosurgery Technique of exposing tissues to extreme cold in order to produce well demarcated areas of cell injury and destruction. |
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Cuff (Acticon) The cuff surrounds the anal canal and simulates the function of the anal sphincter. |
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Cuff (AUS) The cuff surrounds the urethra or bladder neck. |
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Cystoscopy A test that visually examines the urethra and bladder by insertion of a small tube, called a cystoscope, into the urethra. |
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