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Insurance

Insurance is a promise of compensation for specific potential future losses in exchange for a periodic payment. Insurance is designed to protect the financial well-being of an individual, company or other entity in the case of unexpected loss. Some forms of insurance are required by law, while others are optional. Agreeing to the terms of an insurance policy creates a contract between the insured and the insurer. In exchange for payments from the insured (called premiums), the insurer agrees to pay the policy holder a sum of money upon the occurrence of a specific event. In most cases, the policy holder pays part of the loss (called the deductible), and the insurer pays the rest. Examples include car insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, and business insurance.

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Insurance > Health insurance

pre-admission certification

Insurance; Health insurance

Approval by a case manager or insurance company representative (usually a nurse) for a person to be admitted to a hospital or in-patient facility, granted prior to the admittance. ...

primary care provider (PCP)

Insurance; Health insurance

A health care professional (usually a physician) who is responsible for monitoring an individual’s overall health care needs. Typically, a PCP serves as a “quarterback” for an ...

public option

Insurance; Health insurance

A proposal within the recently passed health reform legislation that would have created a qualified health benefit plan to compete with other plans that qualify for health ...

rationing

Insurance; Health insurance

Or the threat of rationing. One of the most powerful arguments against proposals for an expanded government control of the U.S. health care system. Critics of such expanded ...

short-term health insurance

Insurance; Health insurance

Designed to provide coverage for individuals who need temporary health insurance coverage for a short period of time, usually from 30 days to six months. The policies – offered by ...

student health insurance

Insurance; Health insurance

In recent years, many colleges have begun requiring proof of health insurance for students. Coverage options include insurance through family policies and coverage through ...

waiting period

Insurance; Health insurance

Waiting periods were among the fears vocalized by opponents of single-payer health care systems. Critics of single-payer systems in countries such as Canada cite lengthy waits for ...