Here are definitions of some of the terms that are used throughout the site.

Second Opinion: Usually used to refer to second surgical opinions. A patient may obtain opinions from more than one provider as the best course of treatment. Some health plans require second opinions while other encourage them or make them voluntary.

Service Area: The geographic area in which a health plan is prepared to deliver health care through a contracted network of participating providers.

Shiatsu: A massage technique which applies pressure to points and meridians on the surface of the body.

Short-Term Rehabilitative Therapy: Services and supplies both inpatient and outpatient, ordered by a doctor or other provider to promote the recovery of the member from an illness, disease or injury when provided by a doctor, other provider or professional employed by a provider licensed by the appropriate state authority in the state of practice and subject to any licensure or regulatory limitation as to location,manner of scope of practice.

1. Occupational Therapy - treatment by means of constructive activities designed and adapted to promote the restoration of the person's ability to satisfactorily accomplish the ordinary tasks of daily living and those required by the person's particular occupational role after such ability has been impaired by disease, injury of loss of a body part.
2. Physical Therapy - treatment by physical means, hydrotherapy, heat or similar modalities, physical agents, biomechanical and neurophysiological principles and devices to relieve pain, restore maximum function and prevent disability following disease, injury or loss of body part.
3. Speech Therapy - treatment for the restoration of speech impaired by disease, surgery, or injury; or certain significant physical congenital conditions such as cleft lip and palate.
4. Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): A non-hospital facility licensed under state law that provides skilled nursing, rehabilitative and related care where professional medical services are administered by a registered or licensed practical nurse. All services performed must be within the scope of license or certification to be eligible for reimbursement.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): A non-hospital facility licensed under state law that provides skilled nursing, rehabilitative and related care where professional medical services are administered by a registered or licensed practical nurse. All services performed must be within the scope of license or certification to be eligible for reimbursement.

Soft Tissue Fillers: Soft tissue fillers are substances that are injected or implanted into a body part to make it plumper, more even and aesthetically pleasing. Collagen and fat are commonly injected into lips and facial creases, although the permanency is limited. Synthetic materials are often shaped and then implanted into lips and facial folds for a more lasting approach. The number of fillers available continues to increase rapidly. A thorough evaluation of your options is recommended, as not all fillers work well for everyone.

Somatic Education: Any body education method for improved balance, posture, integration and/or ease of movement. The two most common methods are the Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method. See also Hanna Somatics.

Speech Therapy: Treatment of the correction of a speech impairment which resulted from birth, or from disease, injury, or prior medical treatment.

Specialists: Providers whose practices are limited to treating a specific disease (e.g., oncologists), specific parts of the body (e.g., ear, nose and throat), or specific procedures (e.g., oral surgery).

Specialty: The specific area of medicine a doctor practices in. How information is collected: Originally collected off of the credentialing application. updated upon requests at time credentialing for such specialty is approved. When is the information updated: Updated upon requests at time credentialing for such specialty is approved.

Specialty Drug: Medications classified by BCBSNC as those that generally have unique uses, require special dosing or administration, are typically prescribed by a specialist provider and are significantly more expensive than alternative drugs or therapies.

Sports Massage: Any techniques used to assist an athlete to train or perform, but especially Swedish massage or joint movement, relaxation and mobilization techniques.  See also Massage

Subscriber: The person whose name appears on the identification card issued by the Plan and who is enrolled according to the records of the Plan. In the context of a group insurance plan, the subscriber is the individual who belongs to the group (e.g., employee); members consist of subscribers together with their covered dependents.

Substance Abuse/Chemical Dependency: Use of drugs in a manner or quantity other than directed; chemical dependency is the compulsion to take drugs to produce a desired effect.

Surgical Facility Accreditation (in a doctors office setting): Facility accreditation involves a rigorous and lengthy process that surgical suites or operating rooms undergo in order to ensure the highest level of quality and safety. Since this process is voluntary, when a doctor chooses to go through the accreditation process it is an indicator of high standards for delivering quality care.

Swedish Massage: This most common form of massage uses strokes, manipulations and movements to stimulate, relax or rehabilitate the body.