The health care reform terms are piling up in the news and on talk radio. You want to understand what lawmakers now want to call "health insurance reform," but it gets a little confusing.
If you are feeling like you just need a quick primer on some of the health care insurance reform definitions then take a look below at some of the most common health care reform terms:
Public Option
Public option is the term being used for a proposed government choice for health care insurance. This is part of a larger bill proposed by President Obama in the first year of his presidency to overhaul the health care system with health care reform and insurance reform.
Fee for Service
Fee for service is the term for how doctors get paid. For each service the doctor performs they get paid a fee. The fee for service health care model has been criticized by health care reform advocates.
Pre-existing Conditions
Having a pre-existing condition when shopping for health insurance can a difficult task. Understanding the definition of a pre-existing condition can be a good first step in obtaining a good health insurance policy.
Mandated Health Insurance
Mandated health insurance is when one is mandated, or required to purchase health insurance. This is the term most often used in the new health insurance reform legislation by the Obama administration.
Insurance Exchange
A health insurance exchange is the proposed way under the Obama administration to help with health insurance competition and health insurance reform. This new program will be a key component in providing health insurance to millions of uninsured Americans.
Government Affordability Credits
Government affordability credits are being used in the health insurance reform bill to help American citizens afford health care coverage in the health insurance exchange. Since part of the health insurance reform bill mandates insurance, these affordability credits are there to help individuals and households afford the mandated insurance requirement.
Interstate Insurance
Interstate insurance or selling insurance across state lines, has been proposed in Congress since 2005 and is still for many a strong selling point for a change in how and where Americans should be able to purchase their health insurance coverage.
source: http://personalinsure.about.com/od/health/a/aa090409aa.htm
