GLOSSARY OF HEALTH INSURANCE TERMS

B

Balance Billing — the practice of charging full fees in excess of covered amounts and then billing the patient for that portion of the bill that the payer does not cover.

Board Certified — a physician or other health professional who has passed an examination given by a medical specialty board and has been certified by that board as a specialist in that medical discipline.

Board Eligible — a physician who is eligible to take a specialty board examination as a result of completion of medical school and a relevant residency. Some HMOs and other health facilities accept board-eligible physicians.

Brand-Name Drug — a drug protected by a patent issued to the original innovator or marketer. The patent prohibits the manufacture of the drug by other companies as long as the patent remains in effect.