A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

practice guidelines

A statement of the known benefits, risks and costs of particular courses of medical action, developed to give physicians information about treatment alternatives.

pre-existing condition

A physical or mental condition of an individual which is known to the individual before an insurance policy is issued. Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurers could choose not to cover treatment for such a condition, at least for a period, raise rates because...

precision medicine

An emerging approach to disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person.

preferred provider organization

A health care delivery system through which a number of providers contract to serve health plan enrollees on a fee-for-service basis at discounted fees. Providers agree to PPO discounts in the hope of gaining more patients. Patients may use any provider without a...

premium

The cost of health plan coverage, not including any required deductibles or copayments. The cost of the premium may be shared between employers or government purchasers and individuals.