Glossary of Healthcare Terms

All monies, notes, and bonds owed by an enterprise.

The number of possible rotations that can be made by a robotic "hand."

Dental amalgam is a dental filling material that is used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. Its use as a dental device is regulated by the Federal Drug Administration, and it has been deemed safe for use.

A dental HMO is a managed care capitation plan in which a provider is paid a fixed amount, regardless of how much or how little the patient utilizes services.

Capitation plans in which a dental provider is paid a fixed amount per patient, regardless of the number of dental services actually provided for that patient.

Dental hygienists perform prophylaxis, or preventative care, by exam-ining and cleaning a patient's teeth and gums using dental instruments. Dental hygienists most often work alongside dentists, but some states are relaxing supervision laws.

The continuous decline in value of an asset (including buildings, instruments, and equipment) in the course of its operations.

Areas designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as having shortages of primary medical care, dental or mental health providers and may be geographic (a county or service area), demographic (low income population) or institutional (comprehensive health center, federally qualified health center or other public facility).

"Categories of healthcare entities subject to the Stark Law (1) Clinical lab services; (2) Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services; (3) Radiology and other imaging services (including nuclear medicine as of 01/01/07); (4) Radiation therapy services and supplies; (5) Durable medical equipment and supplies; (6) Prosthetics, orthotics and prosthetic devices and supplies; (7) Home health services; (8) Outpatient prescription drugs; (9) Inpatient hospital services; (10) Outpatient hospital services; and, (11) Parental and enteral nutrients, associated equipment and supplies.

A common eye complication of diabetes in which leakage, blockage, or deterioration of retinal blood vessels causes vision impairment over time.

An outpatient service center which provides CTs, PETs, MRIs, X-rays, and other imaging procedures.

A classification system of patients by surgical procedure or diagnosis into major diagnostic categories for the purpose of Medicare reimbursement of hospitalization costs.

A classification system of patients by surgical procedure or diagnosis into major diagnostic categories for the purpose of Medicare reimbursement of hospitalization costs.

Centers which provide in-center hemodialysis, hemofiltration, peritoneal dialysis, pharmacy, and lab services, as well as home hemodialysis and home peritoneal dialysis training and services.

Also referred to as the frontline workforce, they provide personal long-term care services to the elderly and disabled populations (for example, home health aides, personal care aides, and certified nurse aides).