Glossary
ICF
See intermediate care facility
ICF/MR
Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded - An ICF that cares specifically for the mentally retarded.
ICFDH
International classification of functioning, disability and health - An internationally standardized list of identifying codes and definitions of human functioning and disabilities organized by body functions and structures, domains of activities and participation, and environmental factors. The coding and terminology provide a uniform language that permits consistent communication on claim forms.
Impairment
Any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological or anatomical function.
Incompetence
This condition is determined by a legal proceeding. It requires that the individual is not able to handle assets and exercise certain legal rights.
Incontinent
The inability to partly or fully control bladder or bowel functions.
Incurred services
Services received from providers.
Indemnity benefit
A flat payment made directly to an insurance policyholder, rather than to a provider for services rendered.
Independent living facility
Rental units in which services are not included as part of the rent, although services may be available on site and may be purchased by residents for an additional fee. May or may not be part of a bigger complex, such as a CCRC.
Indigent care
Health services provided to those unable to pay. Since many indigent patients are not eligible for federal or state programs, the costs that are covered by Medicaid are generally recorded separately from indigent care costs.
Indirect costs
Costs that cannot be identified directly with a particular activity, service or product of the program experiencing the cost. Indirect costs are usually apportioned among the program's services in proportion to each service's share of direct costs.
Inflation protection
A feature or option of long-term care insurance coverage that increases the value of benefits over time to keep pace with increasing costs of care.
Informal caregiver
Usually a spouse or relative, an informal caregiver is an unpaid individual who takes on the responsibility of providing care for someone, typically in the person’s home.
Inpatient
A person who has been admitted at least overnight to a hospital or other healthcare facility (which is therefore responsible for his or her room and board) for the purpose of receiving diagnostic treatment or other healthcare services.
Institutional health services
Health services delivered on an inpatient basis in nursing homes, hospitals or other inpatient institutions. The term may also refer to services delivered on an outpatient basis by departments or other organizational units representing such institutions.
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL)
An index that measures a client's ability and degree of independence in cognitive and social functioning, such as shopping, cooking, doing housework, managing money and using the telephone.
Insurance
A contracted system where payments (premiums) made over a period of time to an insurance company entitle the payer compensation upon the loss of pre-specified conditions, such as health status.
Insurance carrier
An insurance provider.
Insurance commissioner
The top insurance official in the state.
Insurance policy
A legal contract issued by the insurance company to secure coverage for claimant.
Insurance premium
The pre-specified amount an individual pays to guarantee coverage for a policy.
Insured
A person covered under an insurance policy, including anyone named as receiving protection under the policy.
Insurer
The insurance company that agrees to pay losses of benefits. Also, the insurer can be any company whose primary business is selling insurance to the public.
Insuring Clause
A statement that specifies the type of loss covered by the policy and the parties involved in the insurance contract.
Intermediate care
Occasional nursing and rehabilitative care ordered by a doctor. Performed or supervised by skilled medical personnel.
International Classification of Diseases
International Classification of Diseases, ninth edition (Clinical Modification) (ICD-9-CM) - A list of diagnoses and identifying codes used by physicians and other healthcare providers. The coding and terminology provide a uniform language that permits consistent communication on claim forms.
Inventory
A detailed description of quantities and locations of different kinds of resources, including but not limited to facilities, major equipment, personnel and supplies.
IV/Infusion therapies
The way that liquid solutions or liquid medications are administered directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous catheter inserted in a vein in the body. Infusion therapies can include total parenteral nutrition, antibiotics or other drugs, blood and chemotherapy.
