The ratio of money paid out by an insurer for claims, divided by premiums collected for a particular type of insurance policy. Low loss ratios indicate that a small proportion of premium dollars was paid out for benefits, while a high loss ratio indicates that a high...
A health insurance option consisting of a high-deductible insurance policy coupled with a tax-preferred savings account. MSA policies, enacted in 1996, have been largely replaced by Health Savings Accounts. (See Health Savings Account.)
An optional Medicaid category in which states can cover individuals and families who qualify for coverage because of high medical expenses, usually hospital or nursing home care. To qualify, individuals must be categorically eligible and their monthly incomes minus...
Designations that identify areas and populations that have too few primary care providers, high infant mortality, high poverty and/or high elderly population. MUAs and MUPs involve the application of the Index of Medical Underservice to a service area or population...
Federal health insurance program for virtually all persons age 65 and older, and permanently disabled persons under age 65, who qualify by receiving Social Security Disability Insurance. (See chapter on Medicare.)