55 Health Care Reform Acronyms

As you begin to wade through the health care reform pool of jargon, here are some tips that may make things go better. Remember, a licensed and certified agent, especially this one, is ready and willing to help.

	What it Stands For
ACA	Affordable Care Act
ACO	Accountable Care Organization
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
AHO	Accountable Health Organization
APTC	Advanceable Premium Tax Credit
ARRA	American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("Stimulus Bill")
AV	Actuarial Values
BHP	Basic Health Plan
CHIP	Children’s Health Insurance Program, enacted 1977
CHIPRA	Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009
CMS	Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CO-OP	Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan
ECP	Essential Community Provider
EHB	Essential Health Benefits
EHBP	Essential Health Benefits Package
EHR	Electronic Health Record
ESI	Employer Sponsored Insurance
FEHBP	Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
FFS	Fee-For-Service
FMAP	Federal Medical Assistance Percentage
FPL	Federal Poverty Level
FPL	Federal Poverty Level
FQHC	Federally Qualified Health Center
FR	Federal Register
FT	Full Time
FTE	Full Time Equivalent
GF	Grandfathered Health Plan
HCR	Health Care Reform
HHS	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HIE or HIX	Health Insurance Exchange
HIM	Health Insurance Marketplace
HIT	Health Insurance Tax
HIPAA	Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
HRP	High Risk Pools
HRSA	Federal Health Resources and Services Administration
IFR	Interim Final Rule
MA	Medicare Advantage
MAGI	Modified Adjusted Gross Income
MCO	Managed Care Organization
MEC	Minimum Essential Coverage
MedPAC	Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
MV	Minimum Value
OEP	Open Enrollment Period
PEPM	Per Employee Per Month
PMPM	Per Member Per Month
PPACA	Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
PT	Part Time
PTC	Premium Tax Credit
QHP	Qualified Health Plan
RFP	Request for Proposal
SEP	Special Enrollment Period
SHOP	Small Business Health Options Program
SSA	Social Security Administration
SSI	Supplemental Security Income
TANF	Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program