1. Provider that renders a service to a patient; also known as performing physician . 2. Defined in the Social Security Act §1861, physician who furnishes a consultation or treats a beneficiary for a specific medical problem, and who uses the result of a diagnostic test in the management of the beneficiary’s specific medical problem.

1. Care and management of a patient to combat, ameliorate, or prevent a disease, disorder, or injury. 2. Method of combating, ameliorating, or preventing a disease, disorder, or injury. Active or curative treatment is designed to cure; palliative treatment is directed to relieve pain and distress; prophylactic treatment is for the prevention of a disease or disorder; and causal treatment focuses on the cause of a disorder. Treatment may be pharmacological, using drugs; surgical, involving operative procedures; or supportive, building the patient’s strength.

Medi-Cal form that must be completed by a provider for certain procedures and services that require prior approval.

Time period between admission and discharge from specific section of a facility (e.g., inpatient, partial hospitalization, outpatient, residential).

Choices the patient may have when there is more than one method to treat a health problem or an illness.

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, covered entities may disclose protected health information for TPO but must receive written consent from a patient for other situations.