Healthcare Administration Jobs Key Terms

Understanding terminology used by healthcare administration professionals
By Kim Finn Pursuing a career in healthcare administration can provide fulfillment on many levels, but jobs in healthcare administration require knowledge of certain related terms. To perform successfully in their jobs, healthcare administration professionals should have an understanding of key medical-related terminology dealing with healthcare plans and insurance, diagnoses, basic anatomy and more.
 

This guide gets new healthcare administration professionals started with six relevant terms: Accountable health plan, TRICARE, blended rating, parenteral, ileum and cachexia.

Accountable health plan (AHP)

An accountable health plan is one of several types of health contracts or plans that shoulders the responsibility for providing medical care and managing payments from patients for services they receive. As a joint regional venture, doctors and other healthcare providers, such as insurance companies, hospitals and HMOs, either own their own AHP, or they can opt to contract with or work for an AHP. Synonyms include community care network, community accountable healthcare network and integrated health delivery system.
Try: Mental Help has a comprehensive description of this term. Read more about the accountable health plan for the State of Ohio to learn about the potential benefits of an AHP to employers, employees and providers.

TRICARE

TRICARE is the name of the health care plan designed for active duty and retired U.S. military members and their dependents. Different forms of TRICARE are available, depending on the military member's status. For example, TRICARE for Life aims itself at military retirees 65 or older and their eligible family members. TRICARE Prime is enrollment-based and offers members a primary care manager, much like the primary care provider within a commercial HMO. TRICARE Extra offers reduced fee-per-service care, much like a Preferred Provider Organization.
Try: Learn more about TRICARE plans and benefits at Military.com. While at the site, you can also search for the latest news and information about TRICARE issues.

Blended rating

A blended rating is a way to predict how much one group's benefits will cost. Calculations are based on the Managed Care Organization's manual rates and on the particular group's experience. It works well for groups that don't have years of experience with recorded claims.
Try: At PSI Medica, you can learn more about a benefit design modeling system that accommodates the blended rating methodology.

Parenteral

Parenteral refers to using an IV catheter to deliver nutrients, fluids and medicine into a vein. Another word for parenteral is hyperalimentation.
Try: Learn more about the perenteral method at Healthline.

Ileum

The ileum is the small intestine's third and final section. It's located beyond the other two sections (the duodenum and jejunum) and immediately before the large intestine.
Try: Learn more about the ileum and its purpose at the MedFriendly website.

Cachexia

Cachexia is a complex syndrome of malnutrition, ill health and wasting that's common with patients suffering advanced stages of AIDS or cancer. Symptoms include weight loss, anorexia, loss of muscle and fat, chronic nausea and weakness.
Try: Learn more about the causes of and treatment options available for cancer cachexia at the Ceatus Media Group website.