Glossary of Healthcare Terms

The value of a business enterprise that is expected to continue to operate. The intangible elements of going concern value result from factors such as having a trained work force, an operational plant, and the necessary licenses, systems, and procedures in place.

An intangible asset arising as a result of name, reputation, customer loyalty, location, products and similar factors not separately identified.

Includes organizational documents; income distribution plans; and, covenants not-to-compete.

A measure of the total flow of goods and services produced by the economy over a specified time period (e.g., one year), calculated using an aggregate value of the outputs of goods and services used for final consumption or investment.

An HMO that contracts with physician practices on an exclusive basis so that the practices see patients primarily from that plan.

An organization that leverages the buying power of a group of healthcare organizations to obtain contracted discounts from vendors.

A technology that improves “the health of individuals and the performance of providers, yielding improved quality, cost savings, and greater engagement by patients in their own health care.”

"Public markets" for health insurance plans available within a state.

Any organization that, through an organized system of healthcare, provides or ensures the delivery of an agreed-upon set of comprehensive health maintenance and treatment services for an enrolled group of persons commonly under a capitation or prepaid fixed sum arrangement.

Any organization that, through an organized system of healthcare, provides or ensures the delivery of an agreed-upon set of comprehensive health maintenance and treatment services for an enrolled group of persons commonly under a capitation or prepaid fixed sum arrangement.

Special accounts into which employers and employees both contribute, and from which the employee can draw funds to pay for health services. If the employer contributes, the value of those contributions is not taxable to the employee. Similarly, if the employee makes contributions, they count as "above-the-line" deductions.

Special accounts into which employers and employees both contribute, and from which the employee can draw funds to pay for health services. If the employer contributes, the value of those contributions is not taxable to the employee. Similarly, if the employee makes contributions, they count as "above-the-line" deductions.

"In recent years, new techniques of optic nerve imaging have become widely available, including confocal laser ophthalmoscopy (Heidelberg Retinal Tomography or HRT). . . .The HRT scans the retinal surface and optic nerve with a laser. It then constructs a topographic (3-D) image of the optic nerve including a contour outline of the optic cup. The nerve fiber layer thickness is also measured . . . Over time the machine can detect loss of optic nerve fibers."

The process of filtering blood through an artificial membrane, known as a dialyzer, to remove wastes and excess fluids, and is most often provided in a dialysis facility three times a week for three to four hours per treatment.

A technique for the treatment of ESRD patients which removes fluid, electrolytes and other toxic substances from the blood by filtration.