Glossary
of Terms
Summary
This glossary is an
alphabetical listing of terms and their definitions which help describe plan
benefits and provisions.
For the purpose of this plan,
the definitions as written here apply:
- Ambulatory
surgical center
means any public or private establishment that fully meets
all
of the following
criteria:
- Is
licensed as such by the state.
- Is
Medicare certified.
- Has
an organized medical staff of physicians.
- Has
permanent facilities that are equipped and operated primarily for the purpose of
performing surgical procedures.
- Provides
continuous physician and registered professional nursing services whenever a
patient is in the facility.
- Maintains
a medical record for each patient.
- Has
a written agreement with a local acute care hospital for the immediate transfer
of patients who require greater care than can be furnished at the
facility.
- Complies
with all licensing and other legal requirements.
- Is
not the office or clinic of one or more physicians.
- Is
the most appropriate supply or level of service needed to provide safe and
adequate care as determined by the
plan.
Ambulatory
surgical center does not include (1) physician’s or dentist’s
offices, (2) any facilities whose primary purpose is the termination of
pregnancy or (3) a facility that provides services or other accommodations for
patients to stay overnight.
- American
Dental Association (ADA)
specialist means a
specialist as approved by the ADA including practices limited to public health,
endodontics, oral pathology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics,
pedodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics. The specialists must also meet
the general standard requirements set forth by the ADA as to education and
licensing.
- Associate
employee
means:
- Officers,
agents, representatives and employees of the union and any apprentice or
training coordinator or instructor or any organization whose purpose is
to enforce prevailing wage rates, and for whom contributions to this Trust are
made, pursuant to a written contribution agreement, by the union or other
employer thereof for the purpose of providing such person with the benefits
available under this plan.
- Persons
otherwise within the definition of the preceding subsection who have accepted or
do hereafter accept supervisory or administrative employment with the national
or inter-national union and for whom contributions to this Trust are made,
pursuant to a written contribution agreement, by such national or international
union as employer.
- “Shareholder-Officer-Employee” –those employees of an incorporated individual employer which is actively
engaged in bargaining unit work; provided, such employees have previously been
employed in a nonsuper-visory capacity in work of the type covered by a
collective bargaining agreement requiring contributions to this Trust, and who
are either corporate officers, spouses of corporate officers, or are allied with
the management of the employer because of a material financial interest therein,
either direct or indirect, and for whose benefit the employer makes
contributions to this plan pursuant to a written contribution agreement
acceptable to the Trustees.
- Supervisory
employees for whom contributions to this Trust are made by an individual
employer; provided, such supervisory employees have previously been employed in
a nonsupervisory capacity in work of the type covered by a collective bargaining
agreement requiring contributions to the Trust, and that such supervisory
employees are actively engaged in the affairs of the business of the individual
employer, and that the individual employer has entered into a written
contribution agreement acceptable to the
Trustees.
If
the Trustees in their discretion allow participation in the plan by Associate
Employees, then specific rules and regulations for eligibility of Associate
Employees shall be set forth as part of the plan.
- Benefit
maximum means a maximum amount of benefits that will be paid by the plan for a specified
type of covered charge incurred during a given period of time.
- Birthing
center
means a
freestanding or hospital-based birthing center which operates under the
direction and control of the Washington State Department of Social and Health
Services or the equivalent department of another state.
- Board
of Trustees or Board means the Board of
Trustees established by the Trust Agreement.
- Building
and construction industry means the
various trades and related positions associated with the building and
construction industry including, but not limited to, the specific trades
represented by the collective bargaining agreements and written contribution
agreements recognized by the Board of Trustees.
- Calendar
year means a period that starts on January
1 at 12:01 a.m. and ends on December 31 at midnight of each year.
- Carpenter,
employee or participant means any
individual for whom an employer (as defined by the Trust Agreement) makes
contributions or has previously made contributions who qualifies for plan
benefits in accordance with the eligibility provisions (as amended from time to
time) and is still eligible for or is receiving benefits under the plan. It also
includes retirees who qualify for benefits in accordance with the eligibility
rules established by the Board of Trustees.
- Carryover means covered charges incurred in the last three months of a calendar year which
were applied toward the annual deductible and will be applied toward the annual
deductible for the following year.
- Cast
back eligibility formula means the formula
adopted by the Board of Trustees for providing initial and continuous
eligibility based upon hours worked in prior periods within the jurisdictions
covered by the applicable collective bargaining agreements.
- Certificate
of prior coverage means under the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), in certain
circumstances, group health plans and health insurance issuers are required to
furnish certificates to plan participants that note the amount of previous
qualified health coverage.
- Certified
Nurse Midwife (CNM) means a registered
nurse who has gained the special knowledge and skills of midwifery in an
educational program accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives and who
is licensed in the State of Washington by the Board of Registered Nursing as a
nurse-midwife or an equivalent body in another state.
- Coinsurance means the percentage of covered expenses each individual pays each calendar
year. The coinsurance amount varies depending on the type of service or supply
received and the type of health care provider used.
- Congenital
anomaly or hereditary complication means a
condition existing at or from birth that creates a functional problem and is a
significant deviation from the common form or norm.
- Consecutive
month or year means the exact date a
specified number of months or years from the date of service.
- Copayment means a specified dollar amount each individual pays each time certain covered
charges are incurred. Copayments do not apply toward the deductible and do
not accumulate toward the annual coinsurance maximum.
- Cosmetic
surgery or treatment (including any
complications direct or indirect) means any operative procedure, any portion of
an operative procedure or any other treatment performed primarily for the
purpose of improving or reshaping structures of the body in order to enhance an
individual’s appearance and self-esteem, and is not needed to correct or
improve a bodily function. Cosmetic procedures can have psychological benefits
by improving an individual’s body image and self-esteem and may also have
some medical benefit, even if this is not the main reason for the
treatment.
- Covered
charges or expenses as determined by this
plan, means the medically necessary and “usual, customary and
reasonable” charge for services or supplies covered by this plan and
incurred while an individual is eligible under this plan. “Covered
charges” do not include services or supplies that fall within the
exclusionary provisions of this plan, exceed benefit maximums or are not covered
as a result of a benefit reduction under the medical review program, even if
that service or supply is recognized as a “covered charge” under any
of the other plans involved or Medicare.
- Covered
provider means a person who is in a
category of persons regulated under Title 18 or Chapter 70.127 RCW of the State
of Washington to practice health care or health care related services consistent
with state law. Also included is an employee or agent of a person described
herein, acting in the course and scope of his or her employment. Provider also
includes certain health care facilities regulated under Chapter 70 and 71 RCW or
90.96A RCW, and other providers of health care services and supplies, as
spe-cifically indicated in the provider category listing below and recognized by
the plan as a covered provider. Health care facilities which are owned and
operated by a political subdivision or instrumentality of the State of
Washington and other such facil-ities are included as required by state and
federal law. Covered licensed, registered or certified categories of providers
regulated under Title 18 and Chapter 70.127 RCW, when the condition of coverage
described elsewhere in this plan are met,
include:
- Licensed
Chiropractors (DC)
- Licensed
Dentists (DDS, DMD)
- Certified
Dietitians/Nutritionists (D, CD, CN)
- Licensed
Dental Hygienists (under the supervision of a DDS or DMD)
- Licensed
Denturists
- Licensed
Home Health Care, Hospice and Home Care Agencies
- Licensed
Mental Health Counselors (LMHC)
- Licensed
Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Licensed
Social Worker (MSW)
- Licensed
Nurses (RN, LPN, ARNP, or NP)
- Certified
Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Licensed
Occupational Therapists (OTA)
- Licensed
Ocularists
- Licensed
Opticians (dispensing)
- Licensed
Optometrists (OD)
- Licensed
Osteopathic Physicians (DO)
- Licensed
Osteopathic Physician Assistants (OPA) (under the supervision of a
DO)
- Licensed
Pharmacists (RPh)
- Licensed
Physical Therapists (LPT, RPT)
- Licensed
Physicians (MD)
- Licensed
Physician’s Assistants (under the supervision of an
MD)
- Licensed
Podiatric Physicians
(DPM)
- Licensed
Clinical
Psychologists
- Certified
Radiologic Technologists (CRT, CRTT, CRDT,
CNMT)
- Certified
Respiratory Care
Practitioners
Additional
covered categories of providers, when furnishing services consistent with state
law and the conditions of coverage described elsewhere in this plan are met,
including the following health care facilities and other providers of health
care services and supplies:
- Licensed
Ambulance Companies
- Licensed
Ambulatory Diagnostic, Treatment and Surgical Facilities
- Audiologists
(CCC-A, CCC-MSPA)
- Licensed
Birthing Centers
- Blood
Banks
- Licensed
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Facilities
- Licensed
Home Medical and Respiratory Equipment Suppliers
- Licensed
Hospitals
- Licensed
Kidney Disease Treatment
Centers
- Licensed
Psychiatric
Hospitals
- Speech
Therapists (Certified by the American Speech, Language and Hearing
Association)
Benefits
for some types of services furnished by the provider categories listed above may
be limited or excluded under this plan. Benefits available under this plan are
subject to the provisions stated under this plan, including “Glossary of
Terms” and “General Limitations and Exclusions.”
- Custodial
care means care that consists of services
and supplies that are given mainly to help an individual meet the activities of
daily living, whether or not the individual is disabled, and that are not
rendered mainly for their therapeutic value in the treatment of an illness or
injury. Custodial care includes, but is not limited to, care such
as:
- Care
mainly to provide room and board.
- Preparation
of special diets.
- Supervision
of the administration of medications that can usually be
self-administered.
- Care
not requiring constant attention of trained medical personnel.
- Personal
care such as helping the individual walk, get in and out of bed, bathe, dress,
eat, or use the
toilet.
Such
services and supplies are custodial care without regard to the practitioner or
provider by whom or by which they are prescribed, recommended or
performed.
- Deductible means the amount of covered charges the individual is responsible for each
calendar year before the plan’s medical benefits are
considered.
- Dental
fee schedule means the description of
dental procedures and the amount paid for each as approved by the plan and
amended from time to time.
- Dependent means, at a minimum, the participant’s lawful spouse and unmarried
dependent children who qualify for coverage under the provisions of this plan as
defined here.
- Employer
contributions means the contributions that
an individual employer is required to make to the Carpenters Health and Security
Plan of Western Washington under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement
recognized by the Board of Trustees or a written contribution agreement
recognized by the Board of Trustees.
- Enrollment,
enroll or enrolled means the receipt by
the Trust Office of the necessary enrollment forms that have been properly
completed and signed by the participant.
- Experimental
or investigative
means:
- The
drug or device cannot be lawfully marketed without the approval of the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration and approval for marketing has not been given for
regular nonexperimental or noninvestigational purposes at the time the drug or
device is furnished; or
- The
drug, device, medical treatment, or procedure has been determined to be an
experimental or investigational procedure by the treating facility’s
institutional review board, treating practitioner, or other body serving a
similar function, and the individual has signed an informed consent document
acknowledging such experi-mental status; or
- Federal
law classifies the drug, device, or medical treatment under an investigative
program; or
- Reliable
evidence shows the drug, device, medical treatment, or procedure is the subject
of on-going phase I, II or III clinical trials or is otherwise under study to
determine its maximum tolerated dose, its toxicity, its safety, its efficacy, or
its efficacy as compared with a standard means of treatment or diagnosis;
or
- Reliable
evidence shows that the prevailing opinion among experts regarding the drug,
device, medical treatment, or procedure is that further studies or clinical
trials are necessary to determine its maximum tolerated dose, its toxicity, its
safety, its efficacy, or its efficacy as compared with a standard means of
treatment or
diagnosis.
For
the purpose of this definition, “reliable evidence” means only
published reports and articles in peer reviewed authoritative medical and
scientific literature; the written protocol or protocols used by the treating
facility or the protocol(s) of another facility studying substantially the same
drug, device, medical treatment, or procedure; or the written informed consent
used by the treating facility or by another facility studying substantially the
same drug, device, medical treatment or procedure.
The Board of Trustees will
investigate each claim for benefits which might include experimental or
investigational treatment. The Trustees will consult with medical professionals
to determine whether the treatment is excluded as experimental or
investigational. The Board of Trustees may rely on the advice of these medical
professionals in deciding all claims and appeals related to experimental or
investigational services or supplies.
- Extension
of benefits means certain benefits are
extended beyond the date eligibility terminates under this plan.
- Group
health plan as defined by ERISA means an
employee welfare benefit plan to the extent that the plan provides medical care
(including items and services paid for as medical care) to employees or their
dependents (as defined under the terms of the plan) directly or through
insurance, reimbursement or otherwise.
- Health
insurance coverage as defined by ERISA
means benefits consisting of medical care (provided directly, through insurance
or reimbursement, or otherwise) under any hospital or medical service policy or
certificate, hospital or medical service plan contract, or HMO contract offered
by a health insurance issuer. For purposes of this plan, health insurance
coverage also includes a Medicare Managed Care Plan and Individual Medicare
Supplemental Insurance (Medigap).
- Home
health care agency means a public or
private agency or organization (or subdivision of such an agency or
organization) that administers and provides home health care and is either a
Medicare-certified home health care agency or certified as a home health care
agency by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services or the
equivalent department of another state.
- Home
health care plan means a program of home
care that is required as a result of an illness or injury; is established in
writing and periodically reviewed by the attending physician; and is certified
by the physician as a replacement for hospital or skilled nursing care
confinement that would otherwise be necessary.
- Hospital means an institution that fully meets all
of the following
criteria:
- Is
primarily engaged in providing, by or under the supervision of physicians,
inpatient diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic services for the diagnosis,
treatment and rehabilitation of injured, disabled or sick persons.
- Maintains
clinical records on all patients.
- Has
bylaws in effect with respect to its staff of physicians.
- Has
a requirement that every patient be under the care of a physician.
- Provides
24-hour nursing service rendered or supervised by a registered, professional
nurse.
- Has
in effect a hospital utilization review plan.
- Is
licensed pursuant to any state or agency of the state responsible for licensing
hospitals.
- Has
accreditation under one of the programs of the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of
Hospitals.
Unless
specifically provided, the term “hospital” does not include any
institution or part thereof that is used principally as a place for rest, for
custodial care, as a home for the aged, for drug addicts, for alcoholics, for
the care of persons with mental, nervous or emotional disorders or conditions,
for the care of senile or mentally deficient persons, or as a nursing home,
hotel, or similar institution.
- Illness means a sickness, disorder or disease and all related symptoms and recurrent
conditions resulting from the same causes that is not employment
related.
- Incurred refers to the date the service was rendered or the supply was ordered rather
than the date the bill was submitted or received.
- Injury means physical damage to the body caused by purely accidental means, such as an
external force, independent of all other causes requiring immediate medical
attention. Only injuries that are not employment-related are considered for
benefits under this plan, except as provided for under “Life Insurance and
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefits.”
- Inpatient
and outpatient refers either to the
setting in which medical care is given or to the individual who is receiving
care in that
setting:
- “Inpatient” means that the care is furnished to the individual while the individual is
confined in a facility as a registered bed patient.
- “Outpatient” means that the care is furnished to an individual while the individual is not so
confined.
- Intensive
or coronary care unit means only a
separate, clearly designated service section that is part of an acute care
hospital and fully meets
all
of the tests listed
below:
- It
is solely for treatment of patients who are in a critical condition.
- It
provides constant special nursing care and observation not available in the
other sections of the hospital.
- It
contains special life-saving equipment that is ready for immediate
use.
- It
contains at least two beds for critically ill patients.
- It
has, at all times, at least one registered nurse who is in constant
attendance.
- It
meets the standards set for an intensive care unit by the Joint Commission on
Accreditation of
Hospitals.
“Intensive
care unit” shall include a burn unit or a cardiac care unit that meets all
of the above tests. The term shall not include a unit for post-operative
recovery, intensive alcoholism or psychiatric treatment.
- Medically
necessary means those covered services and
supplies that are, in the judgement of the plan, determined to meet all
of the following requirements. They must
be:
- Essential
to the diagnosis or the treatment of an illness, injury or condition and could
not have been diagnosed or treated without it.
- Consistent
with the symptom or diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
- Generally
recognized by the medical profession as tested and accepted medical practice in
accordance with authoritative medical or scientific literature.
- The
most appropriate supply or level of service that is vital to the patient’s
needs.
- Not
primarily for research or data accumulation.
- Not
primarily for the convenience of the patient, the patient’s family, the
patient’s provider, or another provider.
- Neither
experimental nor investigative and not in conflict with accepted medical
standards.
The
fact that a physician or other provider has prescribed, ordered, suggested, or
approved a service, supply or setting, does not alone make it medically
necessary or make the charge covered even though it is not specifically listed
as an exclusion. A service or supply may be medically necessary in part
only.
- Medicare means the program established under Title XVII of the Social Security Act
(Federal Health Insurance for the Aged) as it is presently constituted or may
hereafter be amended.
- Medicare
entitlement means receiving coverage from
Medicare. Normally this is accomplished when an individual who is age 65 signs
up for Social Security benefits, which automatically enrolls the individual in
the Medicare program. Medicare coverage also is possible with kidney (end-stage
renal) disease, generally beginning three months after treatment begins, or for
individuals younger than age 65 who Social Security deems disabled, effective on
the first day of the 25th month after the date the individual’s Social
Security disability began. Social Security disability benefits do not begin
until the sixth full month of disability.
- Mental
health conditions means any nervous or
mental disease or disorder whether the cause is organic, physical, mental, or
environmental including, but not limited to, conditions that fall within the
range of diagnostic codes 290.0 through 319.9 as listed in the current edition
of the International Classification of Diseases Manual. The term includes eating
disorders but not problems that relate to alcohol or drug use or abuse, or
specific delays in the development of thinking, motor, speech, or language
skills.
- Mental
health facility as it applies to the
treatment of a nervous or mental condition means a hospital or an institution,
or a distinct part of a hospital, that admits patients for 24-hour skilled care
of mental conditions. It is also able to provide full-day or part-day acute
treatment of the condition for patients who do not require full-time
hospitalization, but who need broader programs than are possible from outpatient
visits in a hospital-based or hospital-affiliated facility. A mental health
facility also meets all
of the following
requirements:
- It
is primarily engaged in providing for compensation from its patients a program
for diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of mental or nervous disorders. It is
not primarily a school or custodial, recreational or training
institution.
- It
provides, or has an agreement with a hospital in the area to provide, medical
services for the treatment of any physical disease or injury manifested during
the treatment period.
- It
is under the continuous supervision of a psychiatrist who has the overall
responsibility for coordinating patient care and who is at the facility on a
regularly scheduled basis.
- It
is staffed by psychiatrists who are directly involved in the treatment program,
at least one of whom is present at all times during the treatment program, and
continuously provides the service of psychiatric registered nurses and licensed
psychiatric social workers.
- It
prepares and maintains a written treatment plan for each patient based on a
diagnostic assessment of the patient’s medical, psychological and social
needs with documentation that the plan is under the supervision of a
psychiatrist.
- It
meets any applicable licensing standards established by the jurisdiction in
which it is located.
- It
continuously provides skilled nursing services under the direction of a
full-time registered nurse, with licensed nursing personnel on duty at all
times.
- Has
accreditation under one of the programs of the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Hospitals.
- Myofascial
pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) means a
disorder involving muscles of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area that is
generally characterized
by:
- Preauricular,
temporal, occiput, and/or jaw pain.
- Spasm
and/or tenderness of the masticatory muscles.
- Limited
jaw movement.
- The
occasional sound of a click in the joint (TMJ).
- Out-of-pocket
expense means expenses such as the annual
deductible, copayment, coinsurance, and any or all of the
following:
- Expenses
that exceed the “usual, customary and reasonable” charge.
- Expenses
for services or supplies not medically necessary.
- Expenses
for services or supplies not covered under this plan.
- Expenses
that exceed benefit maximums.
- Expenses
not covered as a result of a benefit reduction under the medical review
program.
- Expenses
which exceed vision and dental scheduled amounts.
- Outpatient
and inpatient refers either to the setting
in which medical care is given or to the individual who is receiving care in
that
setting:
- “Outpatient” means that the care is furnished to an individual while the individual is not so
confined.
- “Inpatient” means that the care is furnished to an individual while the individual is
confined in a facility as a registered bed patient.
- Placed
or placement is a
term used to describe the event that makes a child who is being adopted eligible
to be covered under this plan. A child is “placed” for the purposes
of legal adoption on the date the participant takes on the legal duty to support
that child as part of the process of adopting the child.
- Plan
means this document outlining benefits provided by the Carpenters Health and
Security Plan of Western
Washington.
For
the purpose of coordination of benefits under this plan, the term “plan” also means all of the following, even if they do not have
their own coordination of benefits provision: group, individual, or blanket
disability insurance policies and health care service contractor and health
maintenance organization agreements issued by insurers, health care service
contractors and health maintenance organizations; labor-management trustee
plans, labor organization plans, employer organization plans or employee benefit
organization plans; government programs which provide benefits for their own
civilian employees or their dependents; and group coverage required or provided
by any law including Medicare. This does not include workers’ compensation.
- Preadmission
certification
involves utilization management which includes the evaluation of medical
necessity, appropriateness, and efficiency of the use of health care procedures
and facilities under the auspices of this plan. This includes the evaluation of
medical necessity by medical professionals from the medical review agency. The
review programs include prospective review, concurrent review, discharge
planning, and retrospective review of hospital admissions as described
below:
- Prospective
review. The process begins during
precertification review by medical professionals from the medical review agency
that evaluates the medical necessity of the hospital admission. If the admission
is considered medically necessary, the medical review agency initially certifies
the number of inpatient hospital days for the admission. Follow-up reviews are
conducted with the hospital if an extension is necessary.
- Concurrent
review. Ongoing review while the patient
is undergoing treatment in the hospital.
- Discharge
planning. Discharge planning is designed
to identify patients who could be discharged with appropriate arrangements made
for covered alternative care.
- Retrospective
review. Retrospective review includes all
the steps of precertification review, but after services are rendered.
Retrospective review occurs when the medical review program is not contacted
before
treatment.
The
role of the medical review program is to advise on medical appropriateness. The
patient and physician decide on the treatment actually performed.
- Rehabilitative
hospital
means a
licensed institution which is accredited as a medical inpatient rehabilitation
hospital by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of the American Hospital
Association or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and
meets all
of the following
criteria:
- It
provides facilities for the diagnosis and inpatient rehabilitative treatment of
an illness or injury with the objective of improving or restoring physical
function to the fullest extent possible.
- It
has facilities or a contractual agreement with another hospital in the area for
emergency treatment, surgery and any other diagnostic or therapeutic services
that might be required during a confinement.
- It
provides all normal infirmary level medical services required for the treatment
of any illness or injury occurring during confinement.
- It
has a staff of physicians specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation
directly involved in the treatment program, one of whom is present at all times
during the treatment
day.
Unless
specifically provided, the term “rehabilitative hospital” does not
include any institution or part thereof which is used principally for vocational
counseling, job training or social adjustment services, as a place for rest, for
custodial care, as a home for the aged, for drug addicts, for alcoholics, for
the care of persons with mental, nervous or emotional disorders or conditions,
for the care of senile or mentally deficient persons, or as a nursing home,
hotel, or similar institution.
- Residential
treatment center means a facility that
provides full-day and part-day programs to treat alcohol and drug dependence or
mental conditions, but that is not licensed to provide inpatient care. The
center must be licensed or otherwise approved to provide this care by the state
in which it is located.
- Retired
carpenter or retiree means any person who
meets the eligibility requirements for retired carpenters as established by the
Carpenters Health and Security Plan of Western Washington and the Carpenters
Retirement Plan of Western Washington.
- Retirement
effective date means the date a carpenter
retires as determined by the Carpenters Retirement Plan of Western
Washington.
- Self
contribution means the monthly
contribution amount required, under the terms of the plan, in order to maintain
continued eligibility.
- Skilled
nursing facility means an institution (or
distinct part thereof) recognized as such by Medicare and approved by Medicare
for payment which also meets all
of the following
criteria:
- It
is licensed to provide, and is engaged in providing, on an inpatient basis, for
patients convalescing from an illness or injury, professional nursing services
rendered by a registered nurse (RN) or by a licensed practical nurse (LPN) under
the direction of a registered nurse; and physical restoration services to assist
patients to reach a degree of body functioning to permit self-care in essential
daily living activities.
- Its
services are provided for compensation from its patients and under the full-time
supervision of a physician or registered nurse.
- It
provides 24-hour-per-day skilled nursing services by licensed nurses, under the
direction of a full-time registered nurse.
- It
has a contract for the services of a physician, maintains daily records on each
patient and is equipped to dispense and administer drugs.
- It
complies with all licensing and other legal requirements, and is recognized as
an “extended care facility” by the Secretary of Health, Education
and Welfare of the United States pursuant to Title XVIII of the Social Security
Act of 1965.
- It
has transfer arrangements with one or more hospitals, a utilization review plan,
and operating policies developed and monitored by a professional group that
includes at least one
physician.
Unless
specifically provided, the term “skilled nursing facility” does not
include any institution or part thereof which is used principally as a place for
rest, for custodial care, as a home for the aged, for drug addicts, for
alcoholics, for the care of persons with mental, nervous or emotional disorders
or conditions, for the care of senile or mentally deficient persons, or as a
nursing home, hotel, or similar institution.
- Temporomandibular
joint dysfunction or disease (TMJ) means a
disorder of the temporomandibular joint (the joint that connects the mandible or
jawbone to the temporal bone) that is generally characterized
by:
- Pain
or muscle spasms in one or more of the following areas: face, jaw, neck, head,
ears, throat, or shoulders.
- Popping
or clicking of the jaw.
- Limited
jaw movement or locking.
- Malocclusion,
overbite or underbite.
- Mastication
(chewing) difficulties
- Total
disability means, in the case of a
participant, the complete inability to work or engage in any occupation for
compensation or profit or, in the case of a dependent, the complete inability to
substantially engage in all the normal activities of a person of like age and
gender in good health. This definition applies to an extension of
benefits.
- Treatment
facility means an institution
providing treatment for chronic chemical dependency abuse and operating under
the direction and control of the Washington State Department of Social and
Health Services or the equivalent department of another state. If the facility
does not operate under the direction and control of the Department, then it must
provide effective treatment for chemical dependency through a contract with the
Department, be included in the Department’s current list of approved
public and private treatment facilities, and meet all applicable government
standards.
- Trust means the Carpenters Health and Security Trust of Western Washington, originally
created and established on January 1, 1960, as amended.
- Trust
Agreement means the Trust Agreement
establishing the Carpenters Health and Security Trust of Western Washington and
any modification, amendment, extension, or renewal thereof.
- Usual,
customary and reasonable (UCR) means a
charge, as determined by this plan, that meets all
of the following criteria and
is:
- Usual.
The usual fee that the provider of service
most frequently charges to the majority of his or her patients for a similar
service or medical procedure.
- Customary.
The fees that fall within the customary
range of fees charged in a locality by most providers of a similar training and
experience for the performance of a similar service or medical
procedure.
- Reasonable.
Unusual circumstances or medical
complications requiring additional time, skill and experience in connection with
a particular service or medical procedure. When an unusual or complicated
service or supply is provided, the usual and customary charge is determined by
taking into consideration charges for treatment of comparable nature and
complexity.
The
plan makes the final determination as to whether or not the fee is “usual,
customary and reasonable.” If an individual becomes obligated to a
physician for a charge in excess of the usual, customary and reasonable charge
as determined by this plan, the excess amount is the individual’s
responsibility.
- Waiting
period means, with respect to a group
health plan and an individual who is a potential participant, spouse or
dependent child in the plan, the period that must pass with respect to the
individual before the individual is eligible to be covered for specific benefits
under the terms of the plan.
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