For Medicare coverage, this includes the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and America Samoa. Medical services provided on a ship would include the territorial waters that adjoin the land areas of the United States.

National average fee-for-service dollar amount expense for each Medicare beneficiary that is calculated yearly by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of the Actuary.

Legally recognized compendium of standards for drugs, published by the United States Pharmacopeia Convention, Inc., and revised periodically. It includes assays and tests for the determination of strength, quality, and purity. Another book that has information not in the USP is the National Formulary (NF) . Also see compendium and Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States .

Federal government agency founded in 1798 that is in charge of the control of all people and immigrants arriving from foreign countries and products that might affect the health of people in America. It sets standards for domestic handling and processing of food and manufacture of serums, vaccines, cosmetics, and drugs. It is the uniformed service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. USPHS-commissioned officers serve their country by controlling the spread of contagious diseases such as smallpox and yellow fever, conducting important biomedical research, regulating the food and drug supply, providing health care to underserved groups, and supplying medical assistance in the aftermath of disasters.

Insurance card issued to dependents of active duty military members and retirees who are beneficiaries of the TRICARE government program (see Figure U-1 ). Essential information is included on front and back sides of the card. TRICARE Standard active duty dependent’s identification card (DD Form 1173) from which essential information must be abstracted. B , Sample identification card (DD Form 1173) for a retiree’s widowed spouse. Cards indicate 1 , sponsor’s status and rank; 2 , authorization status for treatment by a civilian provider; and 3 , expiration date.

Condition of a health benefits system indicating the right of all individuals to receive basic medical services in a health care setting.

System of health care in which every citizen of the United States is covered and may receive medical services, even those who cannot pay for coverage. The United Kingdom and Canada have universal coverage. Also called socialized medicine and statutory health insurance . Also see national health insurance .

Type of whole life insurance with flexible premiums, adjustable protection, and company expenses disclosed in the policy to the purchaser. They are separated so that each can be analyzed for premium rates and cash value. Also called unbundled life insurance .

Protective safety measures used by medical personnel to avoid and minimize infection when exposed to bloodborne pathogens, infectious materials, and viruses.

String of characters that identifies the location of a document on the Internet (World Wide Web).