Premature infants, who often did not survive 10 years ago, now may develop into normal children due to the specialized care available in newborn intensive care units across the nation. Many adults have been able to live longer, happier and more productive lives because of specialized surgical procedures (such as heart bypass, laparoscopic techniques, organ transplants, laser surgery, and so on); bioengineering machinery (such as artificial hearts, pacemakers, insulin pumps and so on); enhanced diagnostic procedures (such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and so on); improved medications (such as various vaccines, chemotherapy, prescription and nonprescription drugs, and so on); and the knowledge, experience, and skills of a wide range of health care providers.

A "National Health Board" would identify a uniform minimal benefit package, certify plans that offer tax-deductible coverage through "accountable health plans" (AHPs), develop standards and guidelines for "health plan purchasing cooperatives" (HPPCs)--more recently termed "Health Alliances"--and establish a national health outcomes database essential for effective competition between AHPs. Within today''s health care system, a wide range of models exist and are frequently only referred to by acronym. This "alphabet soup" adds to the confusion and frustrations consumers encounter when attempting to "wade through" the health care system. A brief list of commonly used terms or acronyms and their meanings follows.HMO (health maintenance organization)--A health plan that contracts with providers for prepaid, comprehensive care for its members. Members are required to obtain managedhealthcare care from managedhealthcare providers within the HMO. Different models for HMOs include the group model, the IPA model, the network model, and the staff modelPPO managedhealthcare (preferred provider organization)--A health plan that allows members to freely choose providers, managedhealthcare but the insurance builds in financial incentives for members to select providers within a specific system or group FFS (fee for service)--A traditional system in which the insurer pays for services after they are received, based upon the provider''s fee schedule. Consumers have the freedom to seek care without prior approval from any provider, including specialists.

Any funds that aren''t used continue to earn interest. One out of every seven workers will suffer a five-year or longer period of disability before age 65, yet many of these same people don''t have insurance to protect against such events. The good news is that there are more choices than ever. Even small companies with 15 or fewer employees can offer two or more plans, and there are more choices among individual policies, too. The availability of individual managedhealthcare policies is especially critical to the growing legion of early retirees who need medical coverage There are three general types of medical insurance policies: Traditional indemnity policies aren''t very common any more. As medical costs have escalated, insurers want to contain their managedhealthcare costs and keep premiums affordable by controlling the process.

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