Glossary: H

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HDHP See “High-deductible health plan.”

Health assessment A health assessment is a form or online tool to help you find out how healthy you are. It also helps you see if you are at risk for future illnesses. It gathers information by asking a series of questions. It may be used to help decide which health programs would be good for you.

Health benefits plan This is any plan that helps pay for health care services. There are many types of plans. Some are limited to certain types of services. Some plans cover only hospitalizations, for example. Some plans offer open access to doctors. Some offer access to network doctors only.

Health care consumerism See “Consumerism.”

Health fund This is an account set up to help members pay for health care costs. In some funds, money is put into the fund for them. In others, they can put money in on their own. Some funds do both. There are also plans with the Aetna Health Fund^®.

Health insurance carrier This is a company that provides health insurance plans.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) This is a federal law. It limits rules a group health plan can place on benefits for pre-existing health problems. It was passed to give people access to quality health care coverage when they switch jobs. This law does not let group health plans charge higher rates because of a person’s prior health status. It can also limit rules on some individual health plans. The law also helps protect private health information. It sets national standards for handling private health records.

Health maintenance organization (HMO) It is a health plan that arranges health care services for its members. In most HMO plans, members choose a primary care physician (PCP). The PCP is from the health plan’s provider network. The PCP gives routine care and refers members to network doctors if special care is needed.

Health maintenance organization (HMO) (Medicare) This is a type of health plan. The plan has a network of doctors and hospitals that help coordinate your care. This lets you get more benefits than you would with the Original Medicare Plan. It also gives you more benefits than many Medicare supplemental plans.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) This is a part of a health plan that lets members use a fund to pay health care costs. The member’s employer puts money into a fund. Members can use the fund to pay deductibles, coinsurance and other covered health care costs. Unused money can usually be rolled over and used in the next plan year.

Health savings account (HSA) This is a part of a health plan. You can put money into this account. You can use it to pay for covered health care costs. Or, you can save money in it for future health care costs. The account grows interest. You can take your account with you if you leave your job. You must be covered by a high-deductible health plan to qualify for an HSA.

High-deductible health plan (HDHP) This health plan has to meet federal rules. This is so members can put money into a health savings account or health reimbursement arrangement. These funds can help pay for health care. The plan deductible is higher than a standard health plan. Premiums are lower.

HIPAA See “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.”

HMO See “Health maintenance organization.”

Home health care Home health care means health care services given in a patient’s home. It is often offered after a hospital stay. Coverage depends on the patient’s needs and his or her health plan.

Home infusion therapy This is a type of medical treatment offered in a patient’s home. The patient is given medication through a vein. Nutrients and fluids may also be given this way.

Hospice This is a type of nursing and supportive care. It is given to patients who are ill and near death. This care can be given in a facility or at home.

Hospital This is a place that offers medical care. Patients can stay overnight for care. Or they can be treated and leave the same day. All hospitals must meet set standards of care. They can offer general or acute care. They can also offer service in one area, like rehabilitation.

HRA See “Health Reimbursement Arrangement.”

HSA See “Health savings account.”

Glossary: H

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HDHP	See “High-deductible health plan.”
Health assessment	A health assessment is a form or online tool to help you find out how healthy you are. It also helps you see if you are at risk for future illnesses. It gathers information by asking a series of questions. It may be used to help decide which health programs would be good for you.
Health benefits plan	This is any plan that helps pay for health care services. There are many types of plans. Some are limited to certain types of services. Some plans cover only hospitalizations, for example. Some plans offer open access to doctors. Some offer access to network doctors only.
Health care consumerism	See “Consumerism.”
Health fund	This is an account set up to help members pay for health care costs. In some funds, money is put into the fund for them. In others, they can put money in on their own. Some funds do both. There are also plans with the Aetna Health Fund^®.
Health insurance carrier	This is a company that provides health insurance plans.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)	This is a federal law. It limits rules a group health plan can place on benefits for pre-existing health problems. It was passed to give people access to quality health care coverage when they switch jobs. This law does not let group health plans charge higher rates because of a person’s prior health status. It can also limit rules on some individual health plans. The law also helps protect private health information. It sets national standards for handling private health records.
Health maintenance organization (HMO)	It is a health plan that arranges health care services for its members. In most HMO plans, members choose a primary care physician (PCP). The PCP is from the health plan’s provider network. The PCP gives routine care and refers members to network doctors if special care is needed.
Health maintenance organization (HMO) (Medicare)	This is a type of health plan. The plan has a network of doctors and hospitals that help coordinate your care. This lets you get more benefits than you would with the Original Medicare Plan. It also gives you more benefits than many Medicare supplemental plans.
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)	This is a part of a health plan that lets members use a fund to pay health care costs. The member’s employer puts money into a fund. Members can use the fund to pay deductibles, coinsurance and other covered health care costs. Unused money can usually be rolled over and used in the next plan year.
Health savings account (HSA)	This is a part of a health plan. You can put money into this account. You can use it to pay for covered health care costs. Or, you can save money in it for future health care costs. The account grows interest. You can take your account with you if you leave your job. You must be covered by a high-deductible health plan to qualify for an HSA.
High-deductible health plan (HDHP)	This health plan has to meet federal rules. This is so members can put money into a health savings account or health reimbursement arrangement. These funds can help pay for health care. The plan deductible is higher than a standard health plan. Premiums are lower.
HIPAA	See “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.”
HMO	See “Health maintenance organization.”
Home health care	Home health care means health care services given in a patient’s home. It is often offered after a hospital stay. Coverage depends on the patient’s needs and his or her health plan.
Home infusion therapy	This is a type of medical treatment offered in a patient’s home. The patient is given medication through a vein. Nutrients and fluids may also be given this way.
Hospice	This is a type of nursing and supportive care. It is given to patients who are ill and near death. This care can be given in a facility or at home.
Hospital	This is a place that offers medical care. Patients can stay overnight for care. Or they can be treated and leave the same day. All hospitals must meet set standards of care. They can offer general or acute care. They can also offer service in one area, like rehabilitation.
HRA	See “Health Reimbursement Arrangement.”
HSA	See “Health savings account.”