Modern methodology in which medical personnel may electronically record findings, write orders, and review information from the location where care is provided such as telemedicine.

Piece of equipment interfaced with an analog telephone line used to identify a recipient’s eligibility, obtain share of cost liability status, key in share of cost payment toward balance, reserve medical services, perform Family PACT (planning, access, care, and treatment) client eligibility transactions, and submit pharmacy or CMS-1500 insurance claims. Also referred to as point-of-sale (POS) device or point-of-service (POS) network.

1. Under a managed care plan or Medicare managed care plan, an opportunity for a member or beneficiary to choose doctors and hospitals outside the plan for an additional cost. 2. Option under TRICARE Prime that allows self-referral for any TRICARE-covered nonemergency services outside the prime network of providers.

Managed care plan in which members are given a choice as to how to receive services, whether through an HMO, PPO, or fee-for-service plan. They may choose a nonparticipating provider (higher cost) or participating provider, with different levels associated with the use of participating providers, and with or without a referral. The decision is made at the time the service is necessary (i.e., “at the point of service”); sometimes referred to as open-ended HMOs, point-of-service (POS) program, swing-out HMOs, self-referral options , or multiple option plans.