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This glossary explains terms in the Medicare program, but it is not a legal document. The official Medicare program provisions are found in the relevant laws, regulations, and rulings.
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| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
| N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| REFERRAL |
A written order from your primary care doctor for you to see a specialist or get certain services. In many HMOs, you need to get a referral before you can get care from anyone except your primary care doctor. If you don’t get a referral first, the plan may not pay for your care. |
| REGIONAL HOME HEALTH INTERMEDIARY (RHHI) |
A private company that contracts with Medicare to pay home health and hospice bills under Original Medicare and check on the quality of home health care. |
| REHABILITATION |
Rehabilitative services are ordered by your doctor to help you recover from an illness or injury. These services are given by nurses and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Examples include working with a physical therapist to help you walk and with an occupational therapist to help you get dressed. |
| RETIREE - FOR THE RDS PROGRAM |
an individual who is provided coverage under a group health plan after that individual has retired. |
| RISK ADJUSTMENT |
The way that payments to health plans are changed to take into account a person's health status. |
*NOTE: An asterisk (*) after a term means that this definition, in whole or in part, is used with permission from Walter Feldesman, ESQ., Dictionary of Eldercare Terminology, Copyright 2000.
This glossary explains terms in the Medicare program, but it is not a legal document. The official Medicare program provisions are found in the relevant laws, regulations,and rulings.|
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