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Glossary

The benefits world can be full of big words and industry jargon. If you get stuck, search our glossary for a short description.

  • Prescribed to treat short-term symptoms for a specified period of time.
  • The full family deductible must be met before the plan covers expenses for any one covered member. Therefore, a family member with high medical expenses could contribute the entire family deductible amount before any coinsurance kicks in. This applies to the HSA Advantage Plan.
  • When you visit providers who are out-of-network, these providers may charge you for the amount your medical plan does not cover – the difference between the provider’s charge and the allowed amount. For example, if the provider’s charge is $100 and the allowed amount is $70, you may be responsible for the $30 difference (after you meet your deductible and pay your coinsurance or copay).
  • When you visit providers who are out-of-network, these providers may charge you for the difference between the provider’s charge and the allowed amount. For example, if the provider’s charge is $100 and the allowed amount is $70, you may be billed for the $30 difference (after you meet your deductible and pay your coinsurance or copay).
  • A person (or entity) who is designated to receive the benefit or funds upon the death of the insured.
  • A medication that is the original drug manufactured by a company.
  • A tax-advantaged bank account that allows you to pay for qualified expenses like preschool, summer day camp and day care for a child or dependent adult. The amount you decide to contribute to the account for the year is deducted from your salary before income taxes. Unused funds do not roll over from year to year.
  • CHIP stands for Children's Health Insurance Program and provides affordable coverage for kids in low-income families. Children might be eligible for CHIP even if their parents don't qualify for Medicaid. Routine doctor and dental checkups are free under CHIP. Like Medicaid, you can apply for coverage any time, all year round. 
  • The portion (percentage) of an eligible expense you pay once the deductible has been met.
  • The fixed dollar amount you’ll pay at the time of service.
  • What you pay out of your own pocket (by individual or for the family, depending on the plan) before the plan begins to pay a share of your costs. For example, with a $1,500 deductible you pay the first $1,500 of covered services yourself (out-of-pocket). At the beginning of every year, your deductible resets to zero.
  • Once a covered member meets the individual deductible, the plan covers his/her expenses, even if the full family deductible amount has not been met. This applies to the Signature Plan.
  • An online medical history questionnaire completed by the employee and/or spouse sometimes needed for insurance coverage.
  • A list of medications that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are covered under your prescription drug plan. You should make sure your medications are on the formulary of the medical insurance plan you choose.
  • Medications that have been approved by the FDA as safe and effective. Generic medications are required by the FDA to have the same active ingredients in the same amounts as their brand-name version. Generics may be different in color, shape or size from their brand-name counterparts. Your physician may substitute a generic for a brand-name drug to save you money.
  • A special bank account that allows you to set aside tax-free money to pay for qualified healthcare expenses. These include your medical, dental and vision copays, deductibles and coinsurance. Funds roll over from year-to-year. It can also be an effective long-term savings vehicle to help cover health care expenses in retirement.
  • The health system network includes all health system facilities and only providers employed by the health system for covered services within The University of Kansas Health System including those in the Kansas City region, as well as Great Bend, the St. Francis campus in Topeka, and LMH Health/Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
  • A tax-advantaged bank account that allows you to pay for eligible healthcare expenses. The amount you decide to contribute to the account for the year is deducted from your salary before income taxes. Unused funds do not roll over from year to year.
  • A group of healthcare providers and facilities that offer services to participants in the health plan at a negotiated, discounted cost. You’ll save money if you use doctors inside the network.
  • The deductible for out-of-network providers is separate from, and in addition to, the deductible for health system and in-network providers.
  • The out-of-pocket maximum for out-of-network providers is separate from, and in addition to, the out-of-pocket maximum for health system and in-network providers.
  • These require long-term, regular use to treat a chronic condition.
  • Providers and facilities not included in the network of your plan, resulting in higher cost to you.
  • The most you’ll ever have to pay for covered services in the calendar year. After you hit this, you’ll have no copays or coinsurance – the plan will pay 100% of the cost of all covered services for the rest of the calendar year.
  • The company that manages your prescription drug benefit. The health system has selected Capital Rx for this role beginning in 2026.
  • The amount deducted from your paycheck to cover your share of benefit costs.
  • Money deducted from your paycheck before taxes are withheld.
  • Annual physicals, wellness screenings, immunizations, well-woman exams, well-baby exams and more. In-network preventive care is 100% covered without having to pay your deductible.
  • A physician who provides a broad range of healthcare services.
  • Focuses on a specific area of medicine or group of patients to diagnose, manage, prevent or treat certain types of symptoms and conditions.
  • High-cost medications used to treat a chronic or complex health condition.
  • This is another word for “own.” It’s the amount that belongs to you in your retirement plan.
  • Services and/or goods offered by the health system at a discounted group rate and paid for by employees who choose it through payroll deduction.
  • This type of insurance policy pays a benefit to your beneficiary. This coverage accumulates a cash value and can be used while you are living.