Glossary of Healthcare Terms

It involves the application of pressure and manipulation by placing the hands in or through energy fields that are believed to surround and enter the human body. Such therapies include qi gong, Reiki, and therapeutic touch.

Therapeutic products that are developed using living sources; examples of biologics include vaccines, blood and blood products, and allergenic extracts and tissues.

An important tool for diagnosing and monitoring cancer, however some critics believe biomarkers, as a clinical treatment process, were a failure.

A pharmaceutical product manufactured by biotechnology methods (involving live organisms or bioprocessing).

Redevelopment of new generation biologics.

A price concession that will typically be accepted by a controlling interest holder of a freely-traded company when selling a large block of stock at one time.

BlueCross provides beneficiaries with health insurance to cover hospital expenses, while BlueShield provides insurance to cover expenses associated with physician services. Together, they form BlueCross BlueShield, and the BlueCross Blue Shield Association (works to coordinate the nationwide plans by establishing standards for new plans and programs; assisting local plans with enrollment activities, national advertising, public education, professional relations, and statistical and research activities; and serving as the primary contractor for processing Medicare hospital, hospice, and home health claims.

The underwriting of the bond issuance by an investment bank, often referred to as “floating” the bond, which is then auctioned to the market, and the required return is inferred from the price information provided by actual transactions in that specific debt offering.

Also known as "concierge medicine," the delivery of care to a limited amount of patients and for an annual retainer fee.

Allows for treatment at higher doses of radiation to treat a smaller area in a shorter time by placing radiopharmaceuticals directly inside or next to the tumor. Brachytherapy can be temporary or permanent, with variable administration rates and doses.

An abandoned, idled, or underused industrial or commercial site that is difficult to expand or redevelop because of environmental contamination.

A form of reimbursement that combines institutional and professional charges into a single payment, including all staff for preoperative and postoperative care. Bundled payment schemes generally include outlier provisions for cases that become catastrophic.

A valuation calculator that attempts to measure total cost of equity and public company specific risk.

A process by which established group practices allow associates to transition into ownership.

Corporations with three tiers of authority owners (shareholders), a board of directors, and officers. Through issuance of stocks, physicians can become shareholders or sell their shares without disrupting the corporate infrastructure.