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State of Maryland Glossary & Acronyms
Acronyms

Click here to view a listing of health care definitions.

A

AB

Allowed Benefit

AHA

American Hospital Association

AMA

American Medical Association

ASC

Administrative Service Contract or Ambulatory Surgical Center

ASO

Administrative Services Only

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B

BCBSA

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

BCBSDE

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware

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C

CMS

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

CNM

Certified Nurse Midwife

COB

Coordination of Benefits

COBRA

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986

COC

Certificate of Coverage

COMP

Comprehensive Insurance

CPT

Current Procedural Terminology

CRNA

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

CRNP

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner

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D

DEFRA

Deficit Reduction Act of 1984

DHMH

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

DHMO

Dental Health Maintenance Organization

DME

Durable Medical Equipment

DMO

Dental Maintenance Organization

DP

Direct Pay/Direct Processing

DRG

Diagnosis Related Group

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E

ECF

Extended Care Facility

EOB

Explanation of Benefits

EOMB

Explanation of Medicare Benefits

ERISA

Employee Retirement Income Security Act

ER/ED

Emergency Room/Emergency Department

E&B/EAB

Enrollment and Billing

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F

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

FEP/FEBHP

Federal Employee Program/Federal Employee Benefits Health Plan

FOP

Field of Practice

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H

HCACC

Health Care Access and Cost Commission

HCPCS

HCFA Common Procedure Coding System

HIAA

Health Insurance Association of America

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

HMO

Health Maintenance Organization

HSCRC

Health Services Cost Review Commission

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I

ICD

International Classification of Diseases

ICM

Individual Case Management

IP

Inpatient

IPA

Independent or Individual Practice Association

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J

JCAHO

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

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L

LOS

Length of Stay

LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

LPT

Licensed Physical Therapist

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M

MAC

Maximum Allowable Cost/Maximum Annual Copayment

MB

Medical Benefits

MCO

Managed Care Organization

MCS

Managed Care System

MED-CHI

Medical & Chirurgical Facility of Maryland

MHA

Maryland Hospital Association

MHIN

Maryland Health Information Network

MM

Major Medical

MPOS

Maryland Point of Service

MSGR

Maryland Small Group Reform

MSSOP

Mandatory Second Surgical Opinion Program

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N

NAIC

National Association of Insurance Commissioners

NASCO

National Account Service Corporation

NCQA

National Committee for Quality Assurance

NDC

National Drug Code

NP

Nurse Practitioner

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O

OBRA

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986

OCL

Outstanding Claims Liability

OOA/ITS

Out-of-Area Program/Inter-Plan Teleprocessing Services

OOP

Out-of-Pocket

OP

Outpatient

OPAP

Outpatient Pre-Treatment Authorization Plan

OPL

Other Party Liability

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P

PAR

Participating (plan, hospital, physician, etc.)

PCP

Primary Care Physician

PDR

Physicians Desk Reference

PIP

Personal Injury Protection/Proposal and Installment Process

POS

Point-of-Service plans

PPA

Preferred Provider Arrangement

PPN

Preferred Provider Network

PPO

Preferred Provider Organization

PT

Physical Therapist

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Q

QA

Quality Assurance

QI

Quality Improvement

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R

RN

Registered Nurse

RPT

Registered Physical Therapist

RX

Prescription Drug

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S

SEGO

Small Employer Group Options

SNF

Skilled Nursing Facility

SRO

Self Referral Option

SSA

Social Security Administration

SSO

Second Surgical Opinion

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T

TEFRA

Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982

TPA

Third Party Administrator

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U

UR

Utilization Review

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V

VSSOP

Voluntary Second Surgical Opinion

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Serving Maryland, the District of Columbia and portions of Virginia. CareFirst of Maryland, Inc., Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc., and CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Registered trademark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®' Registered trademark of CareFirst of Maryland, Inc.