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

entitlement program

A program, such as Medicare or Medicaid, for which people who meet eligibility criteria have a right to benefits. Changes to eligibility criteria and benefits require legislation. For Medicare, the federal government is required to spend the funds necessary to provide...

ERISA

See Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

ERISA health plan

An employment-based plan covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Whether coverage is provided through insurance or a different method of employer coverage, there are certain essential requirements it must meet. These key elements include: a written...

essential health benefits

A benchmark level of benefits created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that is meant to ensure a health plan provides a comprehensive set of services. Plans both within and outside of the health insurance exchanges will be required to offer at least this level of...

evidence-based medicine

The use of current best clinical research evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients, often with the assistance of information technology.