A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

outpatient

A person receiving medical services who has not been admitted to a hospital.

outpatient hospital services

Services provided to a hospital outpatient. They are covered by Part B for Medicare beneficiaries. (See Medicare chapter.)

overuse

A term used when patients receive care that is not medically indicated. Typical examples are use of antibiotics to treat a cold or the use of imaging devices for someone with the first signs of lower back pain.

partial capitation

An insurance arrangement where the payment made to a health plan is a combination of a capitated amount and a payment based on actual use of services. The proportions specified for these components determine the insurance risk faced by the plan.