Glossary & Terms
Medicare, Medicaid, hospital, rehab, caregiving and long-term care language gets confusing fast. This glossary explains common terms in plain English and links to deeper guides when you need more context.
This page will keep growing as new questions come up.
Medicare Terms
Medicare
Federal health insurance mainly for people 65 and older, plus certain younger people with disabilities.
Read: Medicare vs MedicaidMedicaid
A joint federal and state program for eligible people with limited income and resources. In California, Medicaid is called Medi-Cal.
Read: Medicare vs MedicaidMedi-Cal
California’s Medicaid program. It may help with certain healthcare and long-term care costs for eligible people.
Read: Medi-Cal and Long-Term CareMedicare Part A
The part of Medicare that generally helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care in certain situations, hospice and some home health care.
Read: What Medicare Doesn’t CoverMedicare Part B
The part of Medicare that generally helps cover doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services and medically necessary services.
Read: Can I Delay Medicare Part B?Medicare Advantage
Medicare coverage through a private insurance company approved by Medicare, often with networks, rules and prior authorization requirements.
Read: Find Your Medicare FitIRMAA
An income-related monthly adjustment amount that can increase Medicare Part B and Part D costs for higher-income beneficiaries.
Read: What Is IRMAA?COBRA
Temporary continuation of employer group health coverage after certain job or life changes. COBRA and Medicare timing can get tricky.
Read: COBRA and MedicareHSA
A Health Savings Account. Medicare enrollment can affect whether you can keep contributing to an HSA.
Read: Can I Keep My HSA After 65?Prior Authorization
A plan requirement that certain services, drugs or care must be approved before coverage applies.
Read: Medicare Denials and AppealsHospital & Rehab Terms
Observation Status
A hospital classification where a patient may be in the hospital but still considered outpatient. This can affect billing and rehab eligibility.
Read: Medicare Observation StatusInpatient
A hospital status that generally means a doctor has formally admitted the patient to the hospital.
Read: Inpatient vs ObservationSkilled Nursing Facility
A facility that can provide skilled nursing care or rehabilitation services, often after a hospital stay.
Read: Skilled Nursing Facility vs Nursing HomeRehab
Short-term rehabilitation after illness, injury, surgery or hospitalization, often involving therapy and skilled care.
Read: Medicare Rehab CoveragePlateau
A term sometimes used when therapy progress slows and a facility questions whether skilled rehab coverage should continue.
Read: Rehab Plateau LanguageDischarge Planning
The process of deciding what care, services, equipment and follow-up are needed after leaving the hospital.
Read: Hospital Discharge PlanningHome Health
Medically necessary skilled services provided at home for eligible patients. It is not the same as full-time caregiving.
Read: Medicare and Home Health CareAppeal
A formal request asking Medicare or a plan to review a coverage or payment decision.
Read: Medicare Denials and AppealsLong-Term Care Terms
Long-Term Care
Ongoing support with daily living needs, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, mobility or supervision.
Read: Does Medicare Pay for Long-Term Care?Custodial Care
Help with daily living activities rather than skilled medical treatment. Medicare generally does not cover long-term custodial care when that is the main need.
Read: Skilled Nursing vs Long-Term CareAssisted Living
A residential care setting that may help with meals, bathing, dressing, medication reminders and daily support.
Read: When Assisted Living Is No Longer EnoughMemory Care
A care setting designed for people with dementia or significant memory-related safety needs.
Read: Medicare and Dementia CareNursing Home
A facility that may provide long-term care, skilled nursing or both, depending on the resident’s needs and the facility.
Read: Skilled Nursing Facility vs Nursing HomePrivate Pay
When care is paid directly by the individual or family instead of Medicare, Medicaid, Medi-Cal or insurance.
Read: Paying for Long-Term CareCaregiving Terms
ADLs
Activities of Daily Living, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, transferring and basic mobility.
Read: When a Parent Can’t Live AloneCaregiver Exhaustion
The physical, emotional and mental overload that happens when caregiving demands exceed what one person can keep carrying.
Read: Caregiver ExhaustionFall Risk
The chance that someone may fall because of weakness, balance problems, medication effects, pain, confusion or unsafe surroundings.
Read: When a Parent Can’t Live AloneCare Concern Log
A written record of care concerns, dates, symptoms, conversations, falls, medications and safety issues.
Read: Documenting Elder Care ConcernsPower of Attorney
A legal document that allows someone to act on another person’s behalf. Rules and authority depend on the document and state law.
Read: Caregiving ChecklistUnsafe Driving
Driving that may no longer be safe because of vision, hearing, reaction time, confusion, medications, mobility issues or health changes.
Read: Helping an Aging Parent Stop DrivingDementia & Memory Terms
Dementia
A general term for conditions that affect memory, thinking, behavior and daily function.
Read: Medicare and Dementia CareDelirium
A sudden change in confusion, alertness or thinking that can happen with infection, hospitalization, dehydration, medications or illness.
Read: After a Hospital StayWandering
When a person with memory loss leaves a safe area or becomes lost, often creating serious safety concerns.
Read: Memory or Confusion ConcernsSundowning
Increased confusion, agitation or restlessness later in the day or evening, often seen in some people with dementia.
Read: Medicare and Dementia CareInsurance & Planning Terms
Final Expense Planning
Planning for end-of-life costs so family members are not left scrambling during grief.
Read: Final Expense PlanningLife Insurance Review
A review of existing life insurance coverage to see whether it still fits the family’s current needs.
Read: Life Insurance ReviewsCoverage After Divorce
Reviewing health, life and protection coverage after divorce or separation changes the family structure.
Read: Coverage After DivorceLife Transitions
Major changes such as retirement, caregiving, divorce, death, illness or family restructuring that often require benefit and protection decisions.
Read: Life TransitionsThis glossary is for general educational purposes only and is not legal, medical, tax or financial advice. Medicare, Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Social Security and insurance rules can vary based on individual circumstances, state rules, plan type and timing.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
Social Security Terms
Social Security Retirement Benefits
Monthly benefits based on work history and claiming age. This section can expand as more Social Security content is added.
Start with the main resource centerFull Retirement Age
The age when someone may receive their full Social Security retirement benefit amount, based on birth year.
Start with the main resource center