Analysis and report performed regularly by the Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities and enumerated by average length of stay (ALOS) by region. Referred to as PAS norms. See also Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities (CPHA).

A nationwide organization dedicated to providing a strong professional network for health care office managers.

Group insurance plan offered by a professional organization composed of self-employed professionals (e.g., accountants, attorneys, educators, physicians). This type of plan may provide more benefits and is less expensive than an individual plan.

That portion of a test or procedure (containing both professional and technical components) for which the physician reads and interprets but does not perform the test (i.e., interpreting an electrocardiogram [ECG], reading an x-ray, or making an observation and determination using a microscope). In hospital billing, this component is billed separately from the inpatient hospital charges.

Employee of the insurance carrier, generally a physician, who reviews and answers questions about complex or unusual medical claims.

Physician or group of physicians who have incorporated, obtained a tax number, and filed articles of incorporation with the secretary of state’s office where the practice is doing business.

Discount or exemption from charges for professional services given to certain people at the discretion of the physician rendering the service. Rarely used in current medicine.

Insurance company that specializes in selling and servicing proportional reinsurance and nonproportional reinsurance with the objective of making a profit.
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A term used to designate a company whose business is confined solely to reinsurance and the peripheral services offered by a reinsurer to its customers as opposed to primary insurers who exchange reinsurance or operate reinsurance departments as adjuncts to their basic business of primary insurance. The majority of professional reinsurers provide complete reinsurance and service at one source directly to the ceding company.

1. Groups of licensed physicians and osteopaths engaged in the practice of medicine or surgery in a particular area, formed to ensure adequate review of the services provided by the various medical specialties and subspecialties in the area, as well as providing DRG validation. 2. A group of physicians working with the government to review cases for hospital admission and discharge under government guidelines. Under the Medicare program, PROs are known as Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) programs. See also peer review and Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) program.