Health Policy and Management Flashcards
Academic Medical Center
Academic health centers. the preeminent institutions in the American health care system. Entities comprising a medical schoo, its affiliated hospitals and outpatient centers, and a faculty practice plan. THeir unique missions are to provide undergraduate and graduate medical education and training, conduct basic science and clinical research on new medical practices and technologies, furnish state0of-the-art medical care for patients with complex illnesses, and care for the poor and medically indigent.
Access
the ability to obtain personal health services to achieve the best possible health outcomes when needed balanced by the health system’s resource limitations. Access to care may be influenced by travel, distance, waiting time, available resources, availability of a source of care and the health status of the population served
accountability
the set of processes, customs, policies, laws and institutions affecting the way a corporation is directed, administered or controlled. Corporate governance also includes the relationships among the many stakeholders involved and the goals for which the corporation is governed.
accounts receivable management
management of the money that is owed to a venture for goods and services that have been purchased from it or that have been committed a s a grant or donation. Accounts receivable are included on the balance sheet under current assets.
accreditation
an evaluative process in which a helathcare organization undergoes an examination of its policies, procedures and performance by an external organation (accrediting body) to ensure that it is meetin gpredetermined criteria. usually involves both on- and off-site surveys. The
acute health care
short-term medical treatment, usually in a hospital, for patients having an acute illness or injury or recovering from surgery
advance directive
a written or spoken statement about a person’s future medical care, Lets doctor, family and others know how a person prefers to be treated if that person is unable to tell their doctor. living will and power of attorney for health care.
adverse selection
insurance companies use the term to describe the tendency for only those hwo will benefit form insurance to buy it. Specifically when talking about health insurance, unhealthy people are more likely to purchase health insurance because they anticipate large medical bills. On the other side, people who consider themselves to be reasonably healthy may decide that medical insurance is an unnecessary expense.
agency principal theory
the principal-agent problem treats the difficulties that arise under conditions of incomplete and asymmetric information when aprincipal hires an agent. Various mechanisms may be used to try to align the interests of the agent wit hthose of the principal, such as piece rates/commissions, profit sharing, efficiency wages, the agen positn a bond, or fear of firign. employer/employee relatinships. *SEE DEFINITION
ambulatory care
outpatient care that does not involve an overnight hospital stay
antitrust regulation
The Sherman Antitrust Act was the first US government statute to limit cartels and monopolies. First and oldest of all US federal, antitrust laws.
arbitration
a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, wherin the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons, by whose decision, they agree to be bound. Arbitration int he US and other countries includes alternative dispute resolution, a category that more commonly refers to a mediation. a form of binding dispute resolution, equivalent to litigation in the courts, and entirely distinct from the various forms of non-binding dispute resolution, such as negotiation, mediation, or non-binding determinants by experts
Average length of stay
the average length of stay in hospitals is a statistical calculation often used for health planning purposes. There is current belief that hte type of reimbursement syystem or health insurance plan hnow plays a more significnt role in the patient length of stay in hospitals. TOTAL DISCHARGE DAYS/TOTAL DISCHARGES=AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY
2. TOTAL INPATIENT DAYS OF CARE/TOTAL ADMISSIONS
bad debt expense
the portion of receivables that can no longer be collected, typically from accoutns receivable or loans. Bad debt in accounting is considered an expense. Direct write of method=charge directly to the income statement. Allowance method-an estimate is made at the end of each fiscal year of the amount of bad debt. THis is then accumulated ina provison which is then sued to reduce specifi receivable accounts as and when necessary
bargaining unit
a group of employees with a clear and identifieable community of interests who are represented by a single labor union in collective bargaining and other dealings with the management.
