Amendment

A formal document changing the provisions of an insurance policy signed jointly by the insurance company officer and the policy holder or his authorized representative.

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A formal document changing the provisions of an insurance policy signed jointly by the Authorized Signatory of the Insurance Company and Policyholder or his authorized representative.

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US, MEDICAL: 1. Additional entry inserted into a patient’s existing chart or progress note to correct data or to add more information. 2. Legal document or a clause added to a contract in which the terms of the contract are increased, limited, or decreased. Also called endorsement or rider.

 

 

America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)

National organization that was formed as a result of a merger of the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA), Group Health Association of America (GHAA), American Managed Care and Review Association (AMCRA), and American Association of Health Plans (AAHP). Their member companies offer insurance coverage for medical expenses, long-term care, disability income, dental, supplemental, stop-loss, and reinsurance to consumers, employers, and public purchasers. Its purpose is to represent the interests of their members on legislative and regulatory issues at the federal and state levels, and with the media, consumers, and employers. They provide information and services such as newsletters, publications, a magazine, and on-line services. They also conduct education, research, and quality assurance programs and engage in a host of other activities to assist their members. AHIP participates in the maintenance of some code sets including the HCPCS Level II codes.

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)

AAFP and its members are committed to care that is equitable for all people; centered on the whole person within the context of family and community; based on science, technology, and best available evidence; supported by lifelong professional learning; and grounded in respect and compassion for the individual. AAFP’s vision is to transform health care to achieve optimal health for everyone. The mission of the AAFP is to improve the health of patients, families, and communities by serving the needs of members with professionalism and creativity.

American agency system

Well-established US system under which insurance companies grant to independent contractors the right to effect all insurances and generally represent insurers in their areas or localities. The agents own the records and expirations of the policies issued through them.

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Also known as the independent agency system, a system in which insurance is sold through independent agents.

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The system of selling Insurance through Agents compensated on a commission basis. This is in contrast to the system of selling Insurance through salaried Company representatives who write Insurance for one Company only.

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The system of selling insurance through agents who receive commissions in lieu of salary.

 

 

 

American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF)

National organization established in 1980 to develop an accreditation program to standardize and improve the quality of medical and surgical care in ambulatory surgery facilities while assuring the public of high standards for patient care and safety in an accredited facility. Its mission is to develop and implement standards of excellence to ensure the highest quality of patient care through an accreditation program that serves both the medical community and the public interest by establishing a means for measuring medical competence and providing an external source for evaluating patient safety in the ambulatory surgery setting. AAAASF accreditation has been approved by some State Departments of Health in lieu of State Licensure. Many private insurance carriers recognize accreditation by AAAASF for reimbursement of covered procedures. For insurance carriers that require Medicare certification, AAAASF has a separate program to evaluate and approve facilities for certification by Medicare, using the same peer inspection process that is used for regular accreditation.