Schedule (Surgical)

List of specified amounts payable for surgical procedures, dismemberments, ancillary expenses, etc. in hospital and medical reimbursement policies.

Second Surgical Opinion

Cost containment technique to assist patients and insurance companies in determining whether a recommended procedure is necessary, or if an alternative method of treatment could accomplish the same result. Some health policies require a second opinion before procedures will be covered, and many policies pay for the second opinion.

Secondary Care

Medical services provided by physicians not having first contact with patients. Examples include specialists such as urologists, cardiologists, etc.

Secondary Coverage

Coverage providing payment for charges not covered by the primary policy or plan.

Self-Funded Plan

Insurance plan where an employer pays the claims rather than an insurance company.

Self-Inflicted Injury

Bodily injury of the insured inflicted on himself.

Service Area

Area in which a health plan can provide services.

Short-Term Disability Income Policy

Disability income policy with benefits payable for "Short Term," (defined as less than two years), as opposed to a Long Term Disability Income policy.

Short-Term Disability Insurance

Group or individual policy written to cover disabilities of 13 or 26 weeks duration. However coverage for as long as two years is not uncommon.

Sickness

Including physical illness, disease, pregnancy, but not including mental illness.

Sickness Insurance.

Form of Health Insurance against loss by illness or disease, but does not include accidental bodily injury.

Skilled Nursing Care

Daily nursing and rehabilitative care performed only by or under supervision of skilled professional or technical personnel. Includes administering medication, medical diagnosis and minor surgery.

Small Group Pooling

Combination in one pool of several small group businesses. Especially used for computing more accurate premium rates for members of the pool.

Staff Model HMO

HMO where physicians are employed and all premiums are paid to the HMO. The HMO then compensates physicians on a salary and bonus arrangement.

Standard Class Rate (SCR)

Rate arrived at by using a base rate per participant multiplied by a factor to allow for group demographic information.

Stop-Loss Insurance

Type of reinsurance taken out by a health plan or self-funded employer plan. Plan can be written to cover excess losses over a specified amount either on a specific or individual basis, or on a total basis for the plan over a period of time such as one year.

Subscriber

Term has two meanings: 1) A person or organization who pays the premiums, and 2) person whose employment makes them eligible for membership in the plan.

Subscriber Contract

Agreement describing individual's benefits under a health care policy.

Summary Plan Description

Recap or summary of benefits provided. Used most often with employees covered by self-funded plans.

Supplemental Services

Additional services purchased over and above the basic coverage.

Surgical Insurance Benefits

Form of Health Insurance against loss resulting from surgical expenses.

Surgical Schedule

Part of basic medical expense plan itemizing various surgical procedures and monetary benefit allocated to the procedure.

Surgi-Center

Facility separate from a hospital providing outpatient surgical services.