Medical Insurance Glossary

Medical Insurance Glossary

Acute condition

A disease, illness or injury leads to recovery quickly and is not long term.

Alternative therapy

This therapy is an alternative to the conventional medicine. These days it is increasingly popular and includes homeopathy, western herbal treatments, traditional Chinese medicine, Neuro linguistic programming (NLP) etc.

Blood glucose levels

The levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is expressed as millimoles per litre (mmol/l).

Cash plan

This is partial reimbursement of insured private medical healthcare costs.

Cancer

Cancer is in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues, which may spread locally or to distant parts of the body. The cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.

Chemotherapy

The use of chemicals or drugs to treat disease; the term is typically used to refer to cancer treatment.

Chronic condition

A condition that lasts or is permanent or keeps coming back over a long period of time.

Complementary therapy

Complementary disciplines are those which purport to offer diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives to conventional medicine. Also known as alternative therapy.

Conventional medicine

Which are mainly western in origin and are based on the scientific evidence. This is also known as allopathic medicine.

CT scan (Computerised Tomography)

A computerised x-ray procedure that produces cross-sectional images of the body layer by layer. These images are very detailed and can reveal disease or abnormalities in tissue and bone.

Diabetes

A disease in which the body has high levels of sugar in the blood.

Diagnosis

The process of identifying or determining the nature and cause of a disease or injury.

Diagnostic tests

Procedures run to find the cause of disease or discomfort; tests used to make a diagnosis.

Ectopic pregnancy

An abnormal pregnancy where the fertilised egg has implanted outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube, or (rarely) in the abdomen.

Exclusions

Treatments and conditions not covered by the health insurance policy.

Excess

The amount that you have to pay towards each and every claim that you make. If you take out an excess will ensure a reduction in your premium.

General NHS ward

This is a ward within an NHS hospital where there is generally no charge for the bed.

In-patient

An individual who is admitted to hospital for medical treatment for one or few nights.

Medical / Health insurance

Medical insurance is also known as health insurance. They are exactly the same and are referred by different people with different terms. Medical insurance provides financial cover against any private medical treatment cost.

Moratorium

A moratorium is where your insurer doesn't cover any conditions which have existed in the five years prior to you joining. Conditions may become eligible if two clear years have passed during which you have been free of medication for, treatment for, and advice about that particular condition and any other disease, illness or injury related to it.

MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a technique that uses magnets and radio waves to produce two and three dimensional pictures of the inside of the body.

Out-patient

An individual treated in a hospital or clinic but does not have to stay overnight.

PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography)

A diagnostic technique that uses an injected radioactive substance to examine the metabolic activity of various body structures and a computer to construct the image.

Pre-existing condition

If the applicant has received any treatment or experienced symptoms before the commencement of the health insurance policy, such illness or disease is known as pre existing condition.

Prostate

A muscular, walnut-sized gland that surrounds part of the urethra.

Radiotherapy

The treatment of malignant disease such as cancer with high energy radiation.

Refractive eye surgery

A surgical procedure in which incisions are made to change the shape of the cornea, to correct long or short sightedness. All of these procedures are designed to minimise dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Related medical condition

Any symptom, illness or disease, which in medical opinion considered to be associated with another symptom, illness or disease.

Six week option

If the NHS delay for your in-patient treatment is less than six weeks, you will need to use NHS facilities as a non-paying patient or self-fund private treatment. If the NHS delay is six weeks or more, you can claim for your eligible day-patient or in-patient treatment privately, at a hospital on your chosen hospital list. This is a cost cutting option.

Therapists

These include acupuncturists, chiropractors, homeopaths, osteopaths, podiatrists, physiotherapists etc.