copayment OR copay
lacag bixin
the amount you have to pay every time you see a doctor---the insurance company pays the rest once you have met your deductible
EXAMPLE: Every time I see my doctor, I pay a $25 copay. If the visit costs $150, the insurance company pays $125.
cover costs
daboolida kharashaadka
pay for
EXAMPLE: I have a health insurance policy with a $0 deductible. My policy starts covering all my costs immediately. I pay only the copayment, which is $20 per visit.
immediately
isla markiiba
right away
EXAMPLE: If you can see the doctor immediately, you don't have to wait.
deductible
laga jari karo
the amount you have to pay before the insurance company starts paying any money
EXAMPLE: My insurance policy has a high deductible. I have to pay the first $5,000 of my medical expenses. After that, I only have to pay the copay. The insurance company pays the rest.
HMO
ururka dayactirka caafimaadka
one kind of health insurance policy
EXAMPLE: I have an HMO, so I have to use their doctors. I have to choose a doctor from the list they provide.
description
sharraxaad
information that describes something, so you understand it
EXAMPLE: I want to understand my insurance policy. I will read the description carefully.
network
shabakad
a group of people in different places who work together and share information
EXAMPLE: My HMO gave me a list of doctors in their network. I have to choose one of them to be my primary care physician.
premium
lacag joogto ah
the amount of money you pay every month in order to have a health insurance policy
EXAMPLE: The monthly cost of my insurance policy is too high. It is more than I can afford. I will look for a health insurance policy with a lower premium.
access
marin
the right or opportunity to use something
EXAMPLE: When I am sick, I want immediate access to my doctor. Unfortunately, she is very busy, and I usually have to wait a few days for an appointment.
benefits
faaidooyin
good things your insurance policy offers
EXAMPLE: What benefits does your health insurance policy provide? Is it medical only, or does it offer dental benefits also?
expense
kharash
cost
EXAMPLE: People who are sick have high medical expenses. They have to pay for doctors' visits and for medicine. It really helps to have health insurance.
tax-free
canshuur la'aan
income you don't have to pay taxes on
EXAMPLE: I put tax-free money into my new health savings account.
health savings account
koontada keydinta caafimaadka
a medical savings account offered by your employer
EXAMPLE: I put $200 every month into my employer's health savings account. I don't have to pay taxes on this income, and I use the money to pay medical expenses.
match an amount
isla doonoo quiimaha
pay the same amount
EXAMPLE: My employer offers to match the amount I put in my health savings account each month. I put $250 in the account and my employer also puts $250 in. This is how I save money to pay my medical expenses.
set up
hab
(verb) to start (an account for saving money)
EXAMPLE: I set up a tax-free health savings account. I can use that money to pay future medical expenses.