1. Established by the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA). This is a state-licensed health plan similar to a health maintenance organization (HMO) that delivers comprehensive, coordinated services to voluntary enrolled members on a prepaid, capitated basis. 2. CMP status may be granted by the federal government for the enrollment of Medicare beneficiaries into managed care plans, without having to qualify as an HMO. CMPs with Medicare contracts offer Medicare beneficiaries all services covered by fee-for-service Medicare. Medicare pays these plans on a monthly basis for each Medicare beneficiary. Medicare beneficiaries get all Medicare-covered hospital and medical insurance benefits through the plan. The CMP may also collect a premium from each Medicare member enrolled in the plan.

Method that uses market information for establishing payment rates that reflect the costs of an efficient managed care plan or health care provider (e.g., competitive bidding that obtains information on costs through the process of bidding).

Expression of dissatisfaction about a certain problem encountered by the member of a managed care plan, or about a decision by the insurance company. A complaint must include a request for action to resolve the problem or change the decision. Also see grievance.

Statement, oral or written, alleging that a provider or beneficiary received a Medicare benefit of monetary value, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, to which he or she is not entitled under current Medicare law, regulations, or policy. Included are allegations of misrepresentation and violations of Medicare requirements applicable to persons or entities that bill for covered items and services.

List of consumer complaints created by the state insurance department. It may be used for enforcing unfair trade practice laws.

Group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. It is therapy using complementary medicine together with conventional medicine (e.g., using aromatherapy to help lessen a patient’s discomfort after major surgery) or conventional medicine in place of alternative medicine (e.g., use of a special diet to treat cancer instead of major surgery or chemotherapy). Also see National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).

Supplementary medical insurance for individuals who participate in Medicare Parts A and B. Also known as Medigap (MG) policy, gap fill, Medifill, Medicare supplement policy, or wraparound plan.

Hospital facilities and providers that work together to give medical care within a community.