Agency For Healthcare Administration (AHCA)

The governmental organization that administers the Florida State Medicaid Program.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

AEP begins October 15 and ends December 7 every year. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries may change or enroll in a Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD), or prescription drug plan (PDP), or return to Original Medicare. Changes made during this period will take effect on January 1 of the following year.

Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandates that health plans notify enrolled members by mail information about yearly plan benefit changes. CarePlus mails this information to our enrolled members each year before Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period begins. This information explains any changes in plan benefits, services, and costs for the next calendar year; the information also provides instructions and important deadlines for changing plans and other helpful information.

Beneficiary

A person eligible for health insurance through the Medicare or Medicaid program.

Benefit Period

The time during which you are admitted and treated at a hospital or Skilled-Nursing Facility (SNF). The benefit period begins the day you go to the facility and ends when you have not received hospital or skilled-nursing care for 60 days in a row. If you go into the hospital after one benefit period has ended, a new benefit period begins. You must pay the inpatient hospital deductible, if applicable, for each benefit period. There's no limit to the number of benefit periods.

Benefits

The care, items, and services that a health plan covers.

Billed Charge

The amount of money a physician or supplier charges for a specific medical service or supply. Since Medicare and insurance companies usually negotiate lower rates for members, the actual charge is often greater than the "approved amount" that you and Medicare actually pay.

Brand Name Drug

A prescription drug that is manufactured and sold by the pharmaceutical company that originally researched and developed the drug. Brand name drugs have the same active-ingredient formula as the generic version of the drug. However, generic drugs are manufactured and sold by other drug manufacturers and are generally not available until after the patent on the brand name drug has expired.

Catastrophic Illness

A very serious and costly health condition that could be life-threatening or cause life-long disability. The cost of medical services for this type of condition could cause you financial hardship if you are not properly insured.

Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with state governments to administer Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and health insurance portability standards.

Coinsurance

The percentage of billed charges that you may have to pay after paying any plan deductibles. The coinsurance payment is a percentage of the cost of the service. For instance, your health plan might pay 70 percent of billed charges; this means, your coinsurance payment is the remaining 30 percent.

Copayment (or Copay)

The flat amount you pay to a healthcare provider or pharmacy at the time of service. Copayments vary depending on your plan and the services you receive. Copayments do not reduce your annual deductible.

Deductible

The total amount you must pay for healthcare before your health plan begins to pay.

Dual Eligible Beneficiaries

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

Effective Date

The date your coverage begins.

Emergency Care

Emergency services a qualified, healthcare provider administers to evaluate and/or stabilize an emergency medical condition.

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Evidence of Coverage (EOC)

A document that details and explains a health plan’s benefits and services, the plan’s rules and responsibilities and the member’s responsibilities. Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans are required to post copies of the EOC to their websites by October 15 each year and provide printed copies to members upon request.

Exclusions

Services or items not covered under your benefit plan.

Extra Help

A Medicare program to help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare prescription drug program costs, such as premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. Also, referred to as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS).

Formulary 

A list of prescription medications that a health plan covers. Also known as Prescription Drug Guide. Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) Plans and prescription drug plans (PDPs) are required to post copies of their drug guides to their websites by October 15 each year and provide printed copies to members upon request.

Full Benefit Dual-Eligible Beneficiary (FBDE or Medicaid Only)

Full benefit dual eligibility occurs when an individual does not meet the income or resource criteria for a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary or Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary program but is eligible for Medicaid either categorically or through optional coverage groups based on Medically Needy status, special income levels for institutionalized individuals, or home and community-based waivers. Medicaid does not pay toward out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for the deductible, premium, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Medicaid payment of the Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B premiums may be a Medicaid benefit available to FBDE beneficiaries in certain states.

Generic Drug

A prescription drug that has the same active-ingredient formula as a brand-name drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name drugs and are rated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be as safe and effective as brand-name drugs. Generic drugs are generally not available until after the patent on the brand name drug has expired.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

HMOs are a type of Medicare Advantage plans that have their own network of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who have agreed to accept payment at a certain level for any services they provide. This allows the HMO to keep costs in check for its members. You usually must get your care from the providers in the plan.

Health Maintenance Organization Point of Service (HMO-POS) Plan

A Medicare Advantage HMO plan with a point of service (POS) option that allows you to receive certain services from out-of-network providers.

Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)

This 7-month period begins 3 months immediately before the month of the individual’s first entitlement to Medicare Part A and Part B and ends on the last day of the third month following the entitlement month. The ICEP is the period during which an individual newly eligible for Medicare (generally their 65th birthday) may make an initial enrollment request to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

In-Network Provider

A healthcare provider – such as a physician, hospital, other medical facility, or pharmacy – that is contracted with the health plan to provide services at a set rate. Providers on the plan’s network listings are also called participating providers.

Inpatient Care

Health care that you get when you are admitted to a hospital.

Limitations

A specific time period or number of visits a health plan covers, or items or services a health plan doesn't cover in some circumstances.

Lock-In Period

Individuals with a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan are generally "locked in,” which means they can switch Medicare plans only during certain times of the year, such as during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) or the Open Enrollment Period (OEP). Medicare beneficiaries with special circumstances may be able to switch plans, and Medicare beneficiaries can also choose to switch at any time to a plan in their service area that earned a 5 out of 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for that plan year. The Medicare beneficiaries must meet requirements to enroll in the plan (e.g., living within the plan’s service area).

Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)

See “EXTRA HELP”

Maximum Out-Of-Pocket Costs (MOOP)

The maximum dollar amount you would be required to pay for health services during a specified period of time.

Maximum Plan Benefit Coverage

The maximum dollar amount that a plan will insure per plan year. Medicare plans have a maximum plan benefit coverage limit applicable to service categories for which the plan offers enhanced benefits.

Medicaid

A joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. Medicaid programs vary from state to state, but most healthcare costs are covered if you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Medically Necessary

Services, supplies, or drugs that are needed for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of your medical condition and meet accepted standards of medical practice.

Medicare

The federal health insurance program available to people 65 years of age or older, people with certain disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant).

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

During the MA OEP, Medicare Advantage plan enrollees may enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan or disenroll from their Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.

• MA OEP – January 1 through March 31
• MA OEP New – Allows new Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in an MA plan to make a second election during their ICEP period
• In both cases, enrollees must be already enrolled in an MA plan to use this election.

Medicare Advantage Organization

Medicare Advantage is a health insurance program that private insurance companies of managed healthcare (preferred provider organizations (PPO) or health maintenance organizations (HMO)) offer. A Medicare Advantage plan serves as a substitute for Original Medicare Parts A and B benefits. Medicare Advantage Organizations can offer one or more Medicare Advantage plans. CarePlus is a Medicare Advantage Organization.

Medicare-Approved Amount

The payment amount that Medicare pays to a physician or supplier for a service or supply. This amount may be less than the actual amount charged by a physician or supplier. If a provider does not accept Medicare’s approved payment amount as full payment and you are not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or do not follow the plan’s payment rules, you may have to pay the difference between what Medicare allows or the plan pays and what the provider charges.

Medicare Coverage Gap Discount Program

A program that provides discounts on most covered Part D brand name drugs to Part D members who have reached the Coverage Gap Stage and who are not receiving Extra Help. Discounts are based on agreements between the federal government and certain drug manufacturers. For this reason, most, but not all, brand name drugs are discounted during the Coverage Gap.

Medicare Covered Services

Services covered by Medicare Part A and Part B. All Medicare health plans, including our plan, must cover all of the services that are covered by Medicare Part A and B.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Coverage for inpatient hospital, hospice, and skilled nursing services, excluding services from physicians and surgeons.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

Coverage for physician and surgeon services; medically necessary outpatient hospital services (such as emergency room visits, X-rays, and laboratory and diagnostic tests); and, certain durable medical equipment and supplies.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans)

Coverage offered by a Medicare Advantage Organization. Enrolled members get a specific set of health benefits at a set premium and at a predetermined cost-sharing level. Part C is available to all Medicare beneficiaries residing in a plan's service area.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)

Coverage offered through private insurance companies to help with prescription drug costs. You can get Part D coverage through a Medicare-approved stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) or a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, or PFFS plan that includes drug coverage.

Medicare Savings Programs

State programs that assist individuals who have limited income with their Medicare costs. The names of these programs may vary by state. The state can help individuals paying for Medicare premiums. In some cases, Medicare Savings Programs also may pay Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments if you meet certain conditions.

Medicare Supplement Insurance

A Medicare Supplement insurance policy or Medigap plan is health insurance sold by private insurance companies to help fill gaps in Medicare Parts A and B coverage. Medicare Supplement policies can help pay your share (like coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles) of the costs of Medicare-covered services. Some Medicare Supplement policies also cover certain benefits Medicare doesn’t cover like emergency foreign travel expenses. These policies don’t cover your share of the costs under other types of health coverage, including Medicare Advantage plans, stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans, employer/union group health coverage, Medicaid, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, or TRICARE. Insurance companies generally can’t sell you a Medicare Supplement policy if you have coverage through Medicaid or a Medicare Advantage plan.

Network

A group of healthcare providers, including pharmacies, who have contracts with a health plan to provide care to the plan's members. Your network choices may vary, depending on your benefit plan and where you live.

Non-Formulary Drugs

Drugs not included on a plan-approved drug list.

Original Medicare

Healthcare insurance provided through the federal government, sometimes called "traditional” Medicare or "fee-for-service" Medicare. Original Medicare provides Medicare eligible individuals with coverage for and access to physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who accept Medicare. You are responsible for the annual deductible. Medicare pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount, and you pay your member cost-share. Original Medicare has two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the federal agency that runs Medicare.

Out-Of-Network Benefits

Generally, out-of-network benefits give you the option to use a physician, specialist, and hospital that is not a part of a plan's contracted network. In some cases, your out-of-pocket costs may be higher for out-of-network benefits, or not covered at all.

Out-Of-Pocket Costs

Healthcare costs that you must pay on your own, because Medicare or other insurance does not cover the costs.

Outpatient Care

Medical or surgical care that does not include an overnight hospital stay.

Preferred Cost-Share Mail Order Pharmacy

Preferred cost-share mail order pharmacies may provide covered prescription drugs at a lower cost-share than standard cost-share mail order pharmacies.

Primary Care Physician (PCP)

A PCP is the doctor you see first for most health problems and for preventive care. PCPs make sure that you get the care you need. They may consult with other doctors and healthcare providers about your care and refer you to them. Generally, you must see your PCP before you see any other healthcare provider.

Provider

A person or facility that offers healthcare services. Providers may include doctors, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, outpatient physical therapy, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, end-stage renal disease facilities, hospice, non-physician providers, laboratories, suppliers, and more. Generally, providers are licensed or certified and must practice within the scope of their license or certification.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs only)

Individuals entitled to Medicare Part A, have an income of 100% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or less, resources that do not exceed three times the limit for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility, and are not otherwise eligible for full Medicaid. Medicaid pays the individuals’ Medicare Part A premiums, if any; Medicare Part B premiums; and, to the extent consistent with the Medicaid State plan, Medicare deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for Medicare services provided by Medicare providers. These individuals do not qualify for additional Medicaid benefits. Medicaid does not pay toward out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for the deductible, premium, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, if applicable.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries Plus (QMBs Plus)

Individuals are entitled to Medicare Part A, have an income of 100% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or less, resources that do not exceed three times the limit for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility, are not otherwise eligible for full Medicaid, and are entitled to all benefits available to the QMB and benefits available under the state Medicaid plan. These individuals often qualify for full Medicaid benefits by meeting the Medically Necessary standards, or through spending down excess income to the Medically Needy level. Medicaid does not pay toward out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for the deductible, premium, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, if applicable.

Qualifying Individuals (QIs)

Individuals entitled to Medicare Part A, with an income of at least 120% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) but less than 135% FPL, resources that do not exceed three times the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limit, and who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid benefits. These individuals are eligible for Medicaid payment of the Medicare Part B premium. Medicaid does not pay toward out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for the deductible, premium, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, if applicable.

Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWIs)

QDWI is a less common Medicare Savings Program (MSP) administered by each state's Medicaid program. QDWI pays the Medicare Part A premium for individuals who are under 65, have a disabling impairment, continue to work, and are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid.

Referral

A written approval in advance provided by your primary care physician (PCP) to see a specialist or to receive certain services.

Service Area

The specific county/ZIP code/state where a member resides. The service area is the location where you must live to qualify for plan enrollment. If you move out of the plan’s service area, make sure to contact the plan using the number listed on the back of their CarePlus member ID card to find out if plan coverage is available in your new area.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

A special situation, outside of the ICEP or AEP, when beneficiaries may be able to join, switch, or leave a Medicare Advantage plan or a prescription drug plan. Some examples of special enrollment situations are:

• The organization does not renew its contract with CMS.
• You recently moved to the plan coverage area.
• You have Medicare and Medicaid.
• You are disenrolling from an Employer or Union health coverage.
• You want to enroll in a plan that received a 5-star rating from Medicare for that plan year.
• You enter, reside in, or leave a long-term care facility.
• You qualify for “Extra Help.”
• You involuntarily lost creditable prescription drug coverage.

Special Needs Plan

A special type of Medicare Advantage Plan that provides more focused health care for specific groups of people, such as those who have both Medicare and Medicaid, who reside in a nursing home, or who have certain chronic medical conditions.

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMBs Only)

Individuals entitled to Medicare Part A, have an income of greater than 100% FPL but less than 120% FPL, resources that do not exceed twice the limit for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility, and are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid. These individuals are eligible for payment of Medicare Part B premiums only and do not qualify for additional Medicaid benefits. Medicaid does not pay toward out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for the deductible, premium, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, if applicable.

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries Plus (SLMBs Plus)

Individuals entitled to Medicare Part A, have an income of greater than 100% FPL but less than 120% FPL, resources that do not exceed twice the limit for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility, and are eligible for full Medicaid benefits, entitled to all benefits available to an SLMB, and benefits available under the state Medicaid plan. Medicaid does not pay toward out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for the deductible, premium, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, if applicable.

Star Rating

Every year, Medicare rates all Medicare health and prescription drug plans on a scale of 1 to 5 stars to measure how well plans provide quality health care and services to their members. The star ratings are published on the Medicare Plan Finder tool to help Medicare beneficiaries make informed decisions while selecting Medicare plans.

Standard Cost-Share Mail Order Pharmacies

Standard cost-share mail order pharmacies may provide covered prescription drugs at a higher cost-share than preferred cost-share mail order pharmacies.

Summary of Benefits (SBs)

A brief description or outline of your coverage, including the amounts or percentage you pay for certain services, and the services for which coverage is limited or excluded.

Urgently Needed Care

Care you receive for a sudden illness or injury that, while not life threatening, requires immediate medical attention. Your primary care physician (PCP) generally should provide this care, or you may get the care at an urgent care center, unless you are out of the service area. If out of the service area, you may receive urgently needed care anywhere. See your plan benefits for information about any out-of-pocket costs you may incur if you see a physician out of your service area.