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.