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

substance abuse

A maladaptive pattern of using certain drugs, alcohol, medications, and toxins that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress.

substance dependence

When a person continually uses a particular substance, resulting in compulsive substance-taking behavior, tolerance for the substance, and withdrawal symptoms if the person stops using the substance.

supplemental medical insurance

Any private health insurance plan held by a Medicare beneficiary that is purchased to fill in “gaps” in traditional Medicare coverage, or to finance cost-sharing requirements, e.g., Medicare’s hospital deductible. Among the most common types of...

Supplemental Security Income

A federal income support program for low-income disabled, aged and blind individuals. Eligibility for SSI monthly cash payments does not depend on previous employment or contributions to a trust fund. Eligibility for SSI usually confers eligibility for Medicaid.

Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund

The Medicare trust fund that partially pays for physician procedures and treatments delivered in hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and other non-hospital facilities; most home health care services; durable medical equipment such as...