Glossary of Healthcare Terms

   

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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

An agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services responsible for the administration of Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs.

Certificate of Need (CON)

The formal justification of capital expenditures from a governmental health care agency, especially for a new specialty hospital, outpatient center, medical clinic, and so forth.

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs)

Nurse-midwives and CNMs provide primary healthcare services to women (before, during, and after pregnancy) and medical care to newborns for a month after their birth. Once a NM passes the certification exam, he or she becomes a CNM and joins the professional group.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)

CRNAs are ARPNs trained in the provision of anesthesia services as it relates to surgical, labor and delivery, and pain management.

Charge Capture

Charge capture entails the transfer of the provider’s coding and documentation to the actual bill. Providers are tasked with recording the appropriate procedure and diagnosis codes on an encounter form, and the business staff is responsible for ensuring that the encounter form is accurate and then using it to bill patients and third-party insurers.

Charge Description Master

The list of codes that reflect the various services offered by a particular healthcare professional practice which is used for billing these services to payers.

Charting

The process of putting medical treatments and diagnosis into the medical record (physical or electronic).

Cherry-pick or Cream-skim

To pick the best of a group and leaving the least desirable portion; for healthcare, choosing the most profitable patients and leaving the rest.

Children

A state-federal partnership that provides assistance to children and pregnant women in families whose income is above the threshold for Medicaid. It was formerly known as the State Children

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

CHIP is a state-federal partnership which provides assistance to children and pregnant women in families whose income is above the threshold for Medicaid. It was formerly known as the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Chiropractic

A form of alternative medicine originating from the belief that vertebral lining would serve to remedy diseases.

Chiropractic Diplomate

Chiropractic physicians who pursue advance degrees and pass the required exams obtain "diplomate" status in the specialized field.

Chiropractors

Chiropractic treatment focuses on spinal manipulation (referred to as spinal adjustment) and the body

Chronic Care

Provision of diagnostic and therapeutic services for long-lasting or recurring illnesses and diseases.

Civil Liability

Liability that allocates accountability for potential lawsuits.
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