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.

American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare)

Organization for the home care industry that includes intravenous therapy, medical services and manufacturers, and health providers. AAHomecare was created through the merger of the Health Industry Distributors Association’s Home Care Division (HIDA Home Care), the Home Health Services and Staffing Association (HHSSA), and the National Association for Medical Equipment Services (NAMES).

American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

National organization composed of medical assistants, medical assisting students, and medical assisting educators with state and local chapters. It (1) promotes education for clinical and administrative medical assistants, (2) establishes educational requirements for national certification and continuing education requirements for recertification, and (3) is recognized by the American Medical Association.

American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO)

National association of network-based preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and affiliate organizations established in 1983 that puts control in the hands of the physician and patient, therefore empowering both results in the best care. PPOs provide easy access to quality care from the right doctor, providing the right care at the right time. AAPPO promotes and supports the PPO industry, consumers enrolled in PPOs, and the collaborative effort of the industry to reduce health care costs. Member organizations include PPOs, provider organizations, network-based health plans, affiliate organizations, and specialty networks including chiropractic, dental, laboratory, mental health, ophthalmic, pharmacy, physical therapy, and workers’ compensation.

American Bureau of Shipping

A classification society. It grants vessels their ‘class’ if the vessel meets the standards of construction, material and workmanship, and maintenance to be certificated as ‘seaworthy. ABS publishes the RECORD, an alphabetical register of vessels with detailed information on construction, dimensions, etc.