Induced termination of pregnancy before the fetus has developed enough to live if born and considered necessary by the woman carrying it and done at her request.

Inpatient or outpatient booking of a patient to a facility whose condition allows adequate time to schedule admission. Formal acceptance may be dependent on when the accommodations become available.

Medical service or procedure that is optional and could be scheduled such as surgery for cosmetic reasons, sterilization surgery, or elective abortion.

In an employee’s retirement plan, cash or deferred dollar amount put into an employee’s Section 401(k) plan by the employer. Contributions are made using before-tax dollars that are obtained through a voluntary reduction of the employee’s salary. The employee pays taxes when the funds are paid out at retirement time, making it a tax-deferred system. Also called elective deferrals .

Surgical procedure that may be scheduled in advance, is not an emergency, and is discretionary on the part of the physician and patient. Generally, elective surgery is required and may be major surgery.