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| Definitions of Terms | | | |
- Anesthesiologists use drugs or other agents to provide temporary reduction in pain sensation.
- Cardiology
- Cardiologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the heart and the circulatory system.
- Cardiovascular Cardiothoracic Surgery
- A surgical specialty concerned with the treatment of disorders of the circulatory system as well as the heart, lungs, esophagus and other parts of the chest cavity.
- Dermatology
- Dermatologists diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the skin, as well as nails and hair.
- Ear-Nose-Throat
- Otolaryngologists are concerned with medical conditions of the ears, nose and throat and are trained to perform surgery in those areas, including head and neck surgery.
- Emergency Medicine
- Emergency Room physicians evaluate, diagnose and treat urgent and emergent conditions arising from illnesses or accidents.
- Endocrinology
- Endocrinologists are internists who have specialized training in diseases and disorders of the endocrine glands, such as diabetes, thyroid conditions and hormonal imbalances.
- Family Practice
- This medical specialty deals in the primary care of patients of all ages and family practitioners are concerned with the provision of continuing, comprehensive health care for the entire family.
- Gastroenterology
- This subspecialty of Internal Medicine is concerned with problems related to the digestive system and related structures (esophagus, gall bladder, intestines, liver, pancreas and stomach).
- General Surgery
- General Surgeons are proficient in performing most kinds of surgery.
Surgeons who specialize in a particular type of surgery are listed under those specific categories.
Surgeons are most often called upon to treat traumatic conditions.
- Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Gynecologists specialize in the disorders and diseases associated with the female genital tract, as well as infertility and female endocrinology.
Obstetricians are Medical-Surgical Specialists concerned with the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.
- Hematology
- This Internal Medicine subspecialty is concerned with the blood and blood-forming tissues and management of diseases related to the blood cells, such as Anemia and Leukemia.
- Infectious Diseases
- Internists who specialize in Infectious Diseases deal with the diagnosis, cause, treatment and prevention of contagious diseases.
- Internal Medicine
- Internists are primary care physicians for adults and are trained in the diagnosis and medical (non-surgical) treatment of the internal structures of the human body.
Some internists have a subspecialty such as Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Nephrology, Oncology, Pulmonary Disease and Rheumatology and limit their practices to that specialty.
Others combine the subspecialty with the practice of internal medicine.
- Neonatology
- Pediatricians who have specialized training in neonatology deal with the diagnosis and treatment of illness in high risk infants.
- Nephrology
- Nephrologists are internists who are concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases and disorders.
- Neurology
- Neurology, a subspecialty of Internal Medicine deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system.
- Neurosurgery
- Neurosurgeons specialize in surgery that involves the Nervous System - the Brain, Spinal Cord, nerves and muscles.
- Oncology
- Oncologists are internists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of Cancer.
- Ophthalmology
- Ophthalmologists specialize in the care of the eye and the medical and/or surgical treatment of eye diseases.
- Orthopedics
- Orthopedics is the branch of medicine that deals with the correction or prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system through medicine, surgery, and/or therapy.
- Pain Management
- Anesthesiologists trained in pain management specialize in methods which alleviate chronic and/or post surgical pain.
- Pathology
- Pathologists study and diagnose disease processes by examining human tissue and body fluids.
- Pediatrics
- Pediatricians deal with the development, care and diseases of children from infancy through adolescence.
- Physical Medicine
- This medical specialty deals with the rehabilitation of patients with physical therapy programs.
- Plastic Surgery
- This branch of surgery deals with Cosmetic Surgery and the reconstruction of defects or deformities caused by disease or injury.
Some physicians in this field limit their practice to certain body parts.
- Podiatry
- Podiatrists are trained in the diagnosis, care and treatment of disorders of the foot.
- Psychiatry
- Psychiatrists are concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental/emotional illnesses.
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Pulmonologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the lungs and the functioning of the respiratory system.
- Radiology
- Radiologists utilize diagnostic x-rays, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound and other imaging techniques to diagnose and treat disease.
- Radiation Oncology
- Radiation Oncologists are trained to treat tumors and cancers through the use of radiation therapy.
- Rheumatology
- Rheumatologists are concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases characterized by pain and inflammation of the joints and/or muscles.
- Urology
- This branch of medicine is concerned with the diagnosis and medical and/or surgical treatment of disorders of the urinary tract and male reproductive system.
- Vascular Surgery
- Vascular surgeons specialize in the surgical treatment of disorders affecting the circulatory system.
- Services for inpatient hospital care other than room, board and nursing services.
Bandages, prescriptions, operating room services and lab services are examples of ancillary services.
- Board-Certified
- Any physician who has completed medical school, an internship and a residency in his or her chosen medical specialty and who has successfully completed an examination conducted by a group (or board) of peers is Board-Certified.
- Coinsurance
- The percentage of your covered medical bills that you pay once your annual deductible is met and your insurance plan has paid its portion of the bills.
- Coordination of Benefits
- This is the term used when you have duplicate coverage.
It involves working with two insurance companies to make sure you receive all of the health insurance coverage, from both insurance plans, that you are entitled to.
- Copayment
- A predetermined fee that you pay directly to the doctor or other health care provider when you receive services.
- Dependent
- A person who relies on you for his or her support, such as your spouse, a newborn baby or an adopted child.
Children are only eligible for coverage up to a certain age, which differs among employment plans.
- Eligible
- Any person who qualifies to receive health care coverage is eligible.
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