Hospital & Professional Terms & Definitions
Who provides your care
Primary Care Physician:
A primary care physician (PCP) is a healthcare professional who provides general medical care and helps prevent illness for people of all ages, usually in non-emergency situations. Your PCP might be a doctor (MD or DO) but could also be a highly trained nurse practitioner (NPs) or Physician Assistant (PA). Family medicine PCPs treat patients of all ages, but other PCPs focus on specific groups, like pediatricians who care for children or OB/Gyns who care for female patients.
Specialist:
A specialist is a doctor or healthcare provider who has additional training and certification in a specific area of medicine. They are experts in their field and can give more specialized care than your PCP. Some examples of specialists include allergists, anesthesiologists, chiropractors, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and urologists.
Provider types
Physician:
A physician is a doctor who has completed medical school and residency to become licensed to practice medicine. The credentials after a physician’s name show what type of physician they are and their education. Here are some common types of physicians:
- Medical Doctor (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) are both types of medical doctors. They go through similar schooling, residency, and board certification to become licensed to practice medicine. MDs and DOs can be PCPs or specialists depending on their field of practice.
- Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) is a physician that specializes in the musculoskeletal system and its manipulation.
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is a physician who specializes in treating the foot, ankle, and lower legs.
Non-physician practitioners:
A non-physician practitioner is a healthcare provider who has completed advanced training and is licensed to practice medicine, either alone or under the supervision of a doctor. Here are a few examples of non-physician practitioners:
- Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners (APRNs) are registered nurses who have completed advanced education and training. They may practice alone or with a doctor’s supervision. Some may serve as PCPs depending upon their specialty or assist doctors in surgery.
Types of Nurse Practitioners are:
– Nurse Practitioners (NP) can work in general medicine, mental health, or a specific medical field
– Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) also practice in general medicine, mental health, or a specialized medical field.
– Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) specialize in women’s health, childbirth, and reproductive care Physician Assistants (PA-C) practice under a doctor’s supervision. They may act as PCP or assist doctors in surgery. - Audiologists (AuD) treat hearing loss and other hearing-related issues.
- Physical Therapists (PT) help patients improve movement, reduce pain, and recover from injuries or surgeries through exercises and treatments.
- Behavioral Health Provider: A behavioral health provider is a licensed professional who helps people manage mental health conditions, emotional challenges, and behavioral issues through counseling and therapy. This includes clinical psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers. These providers work with individuals, families, or groups to improve mental health and well-being.
Note: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medications and provide treatment for mental health conditions but are not included in this section about non-physician providers.
Where does your care take place
Hospital:
A hospital is a medical facility where people go to receive treatment for serious illnesses, injuries, or surgeries. Hospitals have doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provide care, and they often have emergency rooms for urgent medical needs. Some patients stay overnight or longer for observation and recovery, depending on their condition.
Hospital-based Outpatient Facility:
A hospital-based outpatient facility is a place where you receive care at a clinic connected to or part of a hospital. Even though it might not feel like you’re in the hospital, treatment in these departments is considered “within the hospital.” Examples of hospital outpatient departments include 24-hour emergency rooms, hospital doctor clinics, outpatient physical therapy, cardiac rehab, infusion therapy, imaging, and lab services. Receiving care in these setting usually has higher costs compared to an urgent care center, free-standing clinic or imaging center, or ambulatory surgery center.
Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC):
An ambulatory surgical center is a stand-alone facility, not part of a hospital, where you can have outpatient surgery. You will be discharged within 24 hours. Services at an ASC usually cost less than the same procedure at a hospital, which can help lower your out-of-pocket costs.
Freestanding Clinic:
A freestanding clinic provides specialized care, diagnostic imaging, infusion treatments, or go to an urgent care or non-24-hour emergency room. These clinics are not part of a hospital, and getting treatment here usually costs less than at a hospital, helping you save on out-of-pocket costs.
Physician Office:
A physician’s office, or doctor’s office, is where clinicians see patients, diagnose and treat health issues, and may perform simple surgeries. A doctor may have offices in more than one location, but offices are not part of hospitals, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities. The services you receive at a physician’s office typically have the lowest costs.
Virtual Care:
Virtual care allows you to get medical services remotely by connecting with a doctor or other healthcare provider through phone, video calls, or online methods. You can use virtual care from home or while you’re at one of the other clinical settings mentioned above.