Glossary of Terms

COPAYMENT

A copayment (copay) is the fixed dollar amount you pay for certain in-network services on a PPO-type plan. In some cases, you may be responsible for coinsurance after a copay is made.

COINSURANCE

Your share of the costs of a healthcare service, usually figured as a percentage of the amount charged for services. You start paying coinsurance after you’ve met the deductible. Your plan pays a certain percentage of the total bill, and you pay the remaining percentage.

DEDUCTIBLE

A deductible is the amount of money you must meet before your plan begins paying for services covered by coinsurance. Some services, such as office visits that require copays, do not apply to the deductible. For example, if your plan’s deductible is $1,000, you’ll pay 100 percent of eligible healthcare expenses until you have met the $1,000 deductible. After that, you share the cost with your plan by paying coinsurance.

DOMESTIC PARTNER

A domestic partner is a person with whom the insured shares a committed, long-term relationship similar to marriage, without being legally married. Domestic partners can be covered on NOVAs medical, dental, and vision plans.

ELIMINATION PERIOD

An elimination period is the time between when a claimable event (like illness or injury) occurs and when insurance benefits begin. It acts like a waiting period.

FORMULARY

A list of prescription drugs covered by the plan. Also called a drug list.

HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLAN (HDHP)

This type of medical plan requires that members reach a deductible prior to having services covered by coinsurance. All expenses paid by a member count toward the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.

IN-NETWORK

A group of doctors, clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that have an agreement with your medical plan provider. You pay a negotiated rate for services when you use in-network providers.

OUT-OF-NETWORK

Care received from a doctor, hospital, or other provider not part of the plan agreement. You’ll pay more when you use out-of-network providers since they don’t have a negotiated rate with your plan provider. You may also be billed the difference between what the out-of-network provider charges for services and what the plan provider pays.

OUT-OF-POCKET MAXIMUM

This is the most you must pay for covered services in a plan year. After you spend this amount on deductibles and coinsurance, your health plan pays 100 percent of the costs of covered benefits. However, you must pay for certain out-of-network charges above reasonable and customary amounts.