Healthcare services Flashcards
Network of people, agencies, and resources that deliver medical care to patients
healthcare system
Whenever you visit a doctor or seek medical treatment, you are a _______ in the system. As a healthcare __________, it’s important to know how to navigate the system. With this knowledge, you will make better decisions about your health, which can lead to lower costs and improved treatment for you over time
Consumer
People who provide medical services to you
healthcare professionals
First point of contact when receiving medical care. This person can be your family physician, school nurse, or dentist. They provide general and preventive care to keep you healthy.
Primary Care provider
Take care of your basic medical needs. When a doctor provides a diagnosis, you ar getting a professional opinion about what is happening to you
Physicians (Doctors)
Aan authorization that allows you to obtain medicine or treatment
Prescription
Are necessary when the primary care doctor must send you to a doctor with more expertise on a certain medical issue
Referrals
Are licensed healthcare professionals. they provide direct care through observation, assessment, and counseling. Graduates of a nursing program and work under the supervision of a docotr
Registered nurses (RN)
Registered nurses with additional formal training and education beyond that of an RN. They are authorized to prescribe medications and make diagnoses similar to that of a doctor, and are not required to work under a doctors supervision
Nurse practitioners (NP)
Carry out routine clinical procedures as directed by a doctor. They take patients’ medical histories, draw blood, and give injections
Physician’s assistants
Doctors who specialize in the maintenance of children’s health. They are the first point of contact for kids from the time the kids are born until they reach adulthood.
Pediatricians
Treat conditions of the teeth and gums and teach preventive oral care.
Dentists and dental assistants
Treats allergies
allergist
treats heart disease
cardiologist
treats skin conditions
dermatologist
treats hormones and glands
endocrinologist
treats stomach disorders
gastroenterologist
treats the female reproductive system
gyecologist
treats the nervous system
neurologist
treats cancer
oncologist
treats the eyes
ophthalmologist
treats bone abnormalties
orthopedist
treats teeth alignemnt
orthodontist
treats body tissues and organs
pathologist
treats mental illness
psychiatrist
treats urinary tract and male reproductive system
urologist
A place for treating serious medical conditions. Hospitals usually operate 24 hours a day and offer inpatient services for recovery from accidents, illness, or major surgery. Many have emergency departments to handle serious situations and trauma
Hosptial
When patients have serious or life-threatening illnesses or injuries, they might be brought here. Some arrive by ambulance. Medical staff works quickly under pressure to treat acute conditions. Are often connected to hospitals
Emergency room (ER)
Patients who are sick or have experienced minor injuries might visit an urgent care center. These centers are available to patients when their primary care physicians cannot be reached. No appointment is necessary. Patients who go here need prompt attention but their condition is not serious or life threatening. Some refer to it as after-hours care
Urgent Care
Creates a family-centered birthing experience, staffed by midwives and obstetrcians
Birthing center
An agency tat treats chemical or drug dependency
Drug treatment center
long term care facility for the elderly or disabled who cannot live on their own
assisted living center
Similar to assisted living, but has a 24-hour nursing staff to help with medical issues
Nursing home
Nurses who visit clients at their home to help with medical and dental care, transportation, homemaking, and therapy
home health care
medical staff visit clients with terminal illnesses to ensure comfort and freedom from pain before death
Hospice
Highly specialized level of care that involves advanced treatments at a cutting-edge facility. The facility might be a university hospital or a research institute. A tertiary care provider commonly works with patients over an extended period using the latest ideas in science and technology. The ideas are sometimes experimental in nature
Tertiary care
A person who says in the hospital overnight while receiving medical services
Inpatient
A person who receives services but is not admitted to the hospital. are allowed to return home the same day.
Outpatient
A doctor’s office that is operated by a physician who is commonly self-employed. The doctor sees people on an outpatient basis and is usually associated with a nearby hospital for referrals or inpatient services if needed.
General practice
The same as a general practice, but there are two or more doctors who share a common office space. The doctors also share resources such as equipment, supplies, and personnel
group practice
A place where physicicans and medical staff perform outpatient services. A visit ght involve tests or minor surgical procedures such as tonsil removal. These services are too involved for a doctors office but not serious enough for an overnight hospital stay. Some patients also go to receive primary care.
Clinics
Located in stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies. They are intended to be low-cost, quick alternatives for routine medical care. They are usually staffed with nurse practitioners or physicians assistants who treat minor illnesses. When more complex issues arise the patients receive refferals
Convenient care clinic or retail health clinic
A plane where you receive help with your medical costs from private companies or from the government.
health insurance
A health insurance provider charges you a monthly premium or fee. By collecting the fee, the insurance provider agrees that it will help you with your medical bills under certain conditions.
traditional health insurance plan
The amount of money you must pay before the health insurance will begin to pay
deductible
an amont of money you pay each time you visit a doctor, clinic, or hospital
Co-pay
The porton of your medical expenses that health insurance pays after you have pain your deductible
Co-insurance
any payment that you must mae using your own money
Out of pocket
Health insurance plans that are generally less flexible than traditional plans, but can result in fewer out of pocket expenses
managed care plans
members pay a monthly or yearly premium to cover all their medical expenses, with little to no deductible. Members have a primary care doctor in the network who acts as a gatekeeper. Thi doctor makes decisions on referrals, usually to specialists within the network. Commonly have small co-payments for office visits and prescriptions
Health maintenance organization (HMO)
members pay a monthly or yearly premium, but members are not required to have a primary care doctor acting as a gatekeeper. Unlike HMO members, they can see a doctor or a specialist without a referral. They can even go outside their network, but they should expect to pay more out of pocket for this choice. Offer more flexibility than HMOs, but that flexibility comes at a higher price. Members usually have to manage their own paperwork when they chose out of network services
Preferred provider organization
Pay a monthly or yearly fee, Required to choose a primary care doctor with the network. This doctor becomes the point of service and makes all referrals, whether inside or outside the network. Members can obtain services outside the network, but they should expect to pay more and handle their own paperwork when filing claims
Point of service plan (POS)
