Glossary of Healthcare Terms

Corporations that offer the liability protection of a corporation but the taxation simplicity of a sole proprietorship or general partnership.

The only unin¬corporated businesses that offer protection from personal liability for the actions of other partners or physicians; each partner's personal assets and investments are protected. 

Delivers uniform doses of high-energy x-rays to the localized area of the patient

The present value of the net proceeds from liquidating the company

The ability to quickly convert property to cash or pay a liability.

A metric that measures the ability of an organization to meet cash obligations as they become due, that is, to support operational goals.

Ratios that measure the ability of an organization to meet cash obligations as they become due, i.e., to support operational goals.

Instead of handling the collection and processing of payments themselves, providers may decide to use a lockbox service. For a fee, lockbox services open a provider’s mail, collect payments, and deposit the money into the provider’s account.

To hold the place of, to substitute for. A Latin phrase used to describe healthcare professionals that travel from practice to practice serving as temporary practitioners.

Hospitals that target patients who do not require intensive care but who do need more medical attention than other long-term post-acute care settings can provide.

Ongoing health and social services provided for individuals who need assistance on a continuing basis because of physical or mental disability; can be hospital, home, or community based and involve formal and informal by friends, family, or professionals

A Medicare term for a hospital whose average length of stay (LOS) is more than 25 days and not otherwise a mental health or rehabilitation hospital.

Managed care plans integrate the financing (i.e. insurance) and provision of health services under the administration of one organization in an effort to contain costs.

An organization that provides managed healthcare services.

Consulting services in the improvement of practice efficiency and efficacy.