Health Insurance Glossary - D Terms
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D
Declined Coverage
An insurance company refuses to accept the request for insurance coverage. The insurance company might refuse to insure the applicant, or refuse to insure a particular pre-existing condition.
Deductible
The amount of an insured must pay for eligible health care expenses before the costs are covered by insurance. Deductibles are usually specified as an annual amount, but may also be specified for an individual procedure or service.
In addition to an individual deductible, plans usually include some type of family deductible in order to limit a family's total exposure for health care expenses. On this basis, the family deductible will be less than the sum of the individual deductibles of each member of the family covered by the plan.
Having a higher deductible will lower your insurance premium costs.
Denial of Claim
Refusal by an insurance company to pay a claim.
Dental Insurance
An insurance contract that provides for the payment of certain dental care costs. Usually covers normal dental care as well as accidental damage to teeth.
Dependent
Any person who relies on the financial support of another person. Usually includes spouse and unmarried children (whether natural, adopted or step), and may also include a parent or grandparent.
Dependent Worker
Any person who works for an income, but still relies on the financial support of another person.
Drug Formulary
A schedule of approved prescription drugs covered under an insurance policy.
September 7, 2010
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