* Unless otherwise noted all entries are from the Medicare Glossary
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A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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CARE PLAN - A written plan for your care. It tells what services you will get to reach and keep your best physical,
mental, and social well being.
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CAREGIVER - A person who helps care for someone who is ill, disabled, or aged. Some caregivers are relatives or friends
who volunteer their help. Some people provide caregiving services for a cost.
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CASE MANAGEMENT - A process used by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional to manage your health care. Case managers
make sure that you get needed services, and track your use of facilities and resources.
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CASE MANAGER - A nurse, doctor, or social worker who arranges all services that are needed to give proper health care to a
patient or group of patients.
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CATASTROPHIC ILLNESS - A very serious and costly health problem that could be life threatening or cause life-long disability.
The cost of medical services alone for this type of serious condition could cause you financial hardship.
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CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS) - The federal agency that runs the Medicare program. In addition, CMS works
with the States to run the Medicaid program. CMS works to make sure that the beneficiaries in these programs are able to get high quality
health care.
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CEREBRAL PALSY (CP)* - Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of motor problems and physical disorders related to a brain injury. CP causes uncontrolled reflex movements and muscle tightness (spasticity) that may affect a part, a side, or the entire body, with varying severity. Several conditions, such as mental retardation, seizures, or vision and hearing problems, are often also associated with cerebral palsy.
What causes cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury or problem that occurs during fetal growth, birth, or within the first 2 to 3 years of life. CP can result from:
Complications related to prematurity.
- Being deprived of blood, oxygen, or other nutrients before or during birth.
- A serious head injury.
- Developing a serious infection that can affect the brain, such as meningitis.
- Some conditions that are passed from parent to child (genetic conditions) that are linked to abnormal brain development.
* WebMD Medical Library
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CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL NECESSITY - A form required by Medicare that allows you to use certain durable medical equipment
prescribed by your doctor or one of the doctor's office staff.
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CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) - CNAs are trained and certified to help nurses by providing non-medical assistance to patients,
such as help with bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom. (See PERSONAL AND HOME CARE AIDES.)
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COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT - A breakdown in a person's mental state that may affect a person's moods, fears, anxieties, and ability to
think clearly.
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COINSURANCE - The insured person and the insurer share the covered procedures under a policy in a specified
ratio (80 percent by the insurer and 20 percent by the insured).
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COMMUNITY ACCESS - these services are designed to assist the participant in acquiring, retaining, or
improving self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills required for active participation and independent functioning
outside the participant’s home or family home.
* BFDD - Available Services
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COMPREHENSIVE OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION FACILITY - A facility that provides a variety of services including physicians' services,
physical therapy, social or psychological services, and outpatient rehabilitation.
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CONFIDENTIALITY - Your right to talk with your health care provider without anyone else finding out what you have said.
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CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY - A housing community that provides different levels of care based on what each resident
needs over time. This is sometimes called "life care" and can range from independent living in an apartment to assisted living to full-time care
in a nursing home. Residents move from one setting to another based on their needs but continue to live as part of the community. Care in CCRCs
is usually expensive. Generally, CCRCs require a large payment before you move in and charge monthly fees.
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CONTINUING EDUCATION - Is a structured learning process required of all licensed peofessionals to maintain licensure.
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COORDINATION OF BENEFITS - Process for determining the respective responsibilities of two or more health plans that have some
financial responsibility for a medical claim. Also called cross-over.
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COORDINATION PERIOD - A period of time when your employer group health plan will pay first on your health care bills and Medicare
will pay second. If your employer group health plan doesn't pay 100% of your health care bills during the coordination period, Medicare may pay the
remaining costs.
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COPAYMENT - That portion of a claim or medical expense that a member of a health plan must pay out of
pocket. Usually this is a fixed amount, $5 or $10, for each visit.
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COST SHARING - The cost for medical care that you pay yourself like a copayment, coinsurance, or
deductible. (See COINSURANCE; COPAYMENT;
DEDUCTIBLE.)
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COVERED BENEFIT - A health service or item that is included in your health plan, and that is paid for either partially or fully.
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COVERED CHARGES - Services or benefits for which a health plan makes either partial or full payment.
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CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF)* - Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic and progressive disease usually diagnosed in childhood that causes mucus to
become thick, dry, and sticky. The mucus builds up and clogs passages in many of the body's organs, but primarily the lungs and the pancreas. In the
lungs, the mucus can lead to serious breathing problems and lung disease. In the pancreas, the mucus can lead to malnutrition and problems with growth
and development.
People with CF have an average life expectancy of about 32 years, although new treatments offer hope for longer and healthier lives.
* WebMD Medical Library
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