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Glossary

As you learn more about us, you may see some terms that are unfamiliar to you. This glossary explains some frequently used terms. If you have any questions, just give us a call.

A

All Kids
An Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) insurance program that provides medical insurance for children ages birth to 18.

Authorization to Release Health Information (Consent)
Special written permission from you to get or share your child’s medical information with those specific individuals you indicated. This authorization is available on our Forms page.

C

Care Coordination
A person- and family-centered, strength-based, assessment-driven approach of empowering families to achieve their goals, ultimately leading to positive health outcomes, improved quality of life and overall family satisfaction. DSCC care coordination efforts focus on partnering with families and communities to help children with special healthcare needs connect to services and resources  they need.

Care Coordinator
A UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children staff person who is either a nurse, social worker, speech pathologist or audiologist.

Care Coordination Team
The team includes you, your child, the UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children Care Coordinator and Program Coordinator Assistant.  Your Care Coordination Team will provide assistance to you and your child, answer your questions and talk with you about your concerns.

Cost Log
A form that financially eligible UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children families can complete for help with some “out-of-pocket” expenses such as co-pays and deductibles. Cost log forms are available on our Forms page.

D

Diagnostic
The evaluation by an enrolled specialist that determines whether your child has a UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children medically eligible condition.

DSCC
Abbreviation for the University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children.

E

Eligibility Letter
A letter that states your child’s medically eligible condition(s) and the time period during which UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children may help pay bills for services related to the eligible condition(s).

Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
A statement from your insurance company that explains what was paid on a specific bill and why the bill was processed in that way.  UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children must have a copy of this paperwork in order to pay any cost for the service or equipment that was not covered by your insurance.

F

Financial Period
If you meet the financial eligibility criteria for Division of Specialized Care for Children, a financial eligibility period is established.  If you applied before Oct. 1, 2018, the period may be one or two years, depending on what documentation of income you provided.  If you applied Oct. 1, 2018, or after, our financial eligibility period will only be one year, regardless of documentation provided. Your financial period will be indicated on your eligibility letter.

H

HIPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.  This Federal law protects the privacy of health information that can be linked to an individual.  The law ensures your right to access your personal health information and to determine how that information may be shared with others.

I

ID Card
The card tells specialists that your child is eligible for UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children financial assistance for approved specialty care.

Insurance Referral
A formal request to your insurance company from your child’s primary care physician (PCP) for your child to see a specialist.  Most insurance companies issue a referral number to the specialist to indicate the referral has been approved.

L

Legally Responsible Adult (LRA)
For minor children, the parent or legal guardian is the LRA. Participants who are married, age 18 and over, or legally emancipated are their own LRA.

M

Maximize Benefits
UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children requires that you maximize insurance benefits.  When you follow all the rules of your insurance company, the insurance may pay for more services and at a higher rate.  Following the rules is necessary in order for the insurance company to pay the maximum benefit on a claim.

Medicaid
An Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) program that provides assistance with medical, dental and vision services for low income families.

Medically Eligible Condition
Medical eligibility is determined either through a diagnostic evaluation or through review of existing medical reports regarding your child’s condition.

N

Network Provider
The providers that have agreements with your insurance company are considered “in-network” providers for that insurance company.  Using “out-of-network” providers usually results in a lower payment by your insurance company or a penalty that you have to pay.

P

Primary Care Physician (PCP)
The child’s regular pediatrician or family physician who gives routine child care.  Many insurance companies require children to have a PCP.

Prior Approval
A written approval that is required for some services.

Program Coordinator Assistant (PCA)
A PCA will most likely be your first contact with us.  The PCA will take your referral, discuss your child’s needs and send the application to you.  The PCA will determine your financial eligibility for UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children and will update that financial eligibility periodically.  The PCA and the Care Coordinator will work together as a team to meet your child’s needs.

R

Regional Office
Illinois is divided into 102 counties.  UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children has 11 regional offices that cover all counties in the state.

S

Specialty Care
Service from a physician or other provider who treats children with certain diagnoses.

T

Transition
The process of preparing for adulthood and the changes that will bring in coordinating health care and other areas of your life.