Abbreviations

AB

Aid to the Blind

ACF

Administration for Children and Families

ACR

Adjusted Community Rate

AET

Annual earnings test

AFDC

Aid to Families with Dependent Children

AFDC-UP

Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Unemployed Parents

AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AIME

Average indexed monthly earnings

AMW

Average monthly wage

APTD

Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled

BBA

Balanced Budget Act of 1997

BC/BS

Blue Cross/Blue Shield

CDR

Continuing disability review

CHAMPVA

Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs

CLIA

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act

CMP

Competitive medical plans

CMS

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

COBRA

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

COLA

Cost-of-living adjustment

CPI-U

Consumer price index for all urban consumers

CPI-W

Consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers

CPS

Current Population Survey

DA&A

Drug addiction and alcoholism

DHHS

Department of Health and Human Services

DI

Disability Insurance

DME

Durable medical equipment

DOE

Department of Energy

DOL

Department of Labor

DRG

Diagnosis-related group

EA

Emergency Assistance

EBT

Electronic benefit transfer

EPSDT

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment program

ESRD

End-stage renal disease

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

FERS

Federal Employees Retirement System

FFS

Fee for service

FICA

Federal Insurance Contributions Act

FMAP

Federal medical assistance percentage

FPL

Federal poverty level

FQHC

Federally qualified health center

FRA

Full retirement age

FUTA

Federal Unemployment Tax Act

FY

Fiscal year

GDP

Gross domestic product

GPO

Government Pension Offset

HCBS

Home and community based services

HCFA

Health Care Financing Administration

HHA

Home health agency

HHS

Department of Health and Human Services

HI

Hospital Insurance

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus

HMO

Health maintenance organization

ICF

Intermediate care facility

ICFs/MR

Intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded

LIHEAP

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

LTC

Long-term care

MA

Medicare Advantage

MBC

Monthly benefit credited

MBR

Master Beneficiary Record

MCCA

Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act

MCCRA

Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act

MMA

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act

MN

Medically needy

MSA

Medical savings account

NRC

National Research Council

OAA

Old-Age Assistance

OASDI

Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance

OASI

Old-Age and Survivors Insurance

OBRA

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

OEO

Office of Economic Opportunity

OMB

Office of Management and Budget

PACE

Programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly

PDP

Prescription Drug Plan

PESS

Property essential to self-support

PIA

Primary insurance amount

PIB

Primary insurance benefit

PPO

Preferred provider organization

PPS

Prospective payment system

PRO

Peer review organization

PSO

Provider-sponsored organization

QC

Quarter of coverage

QDWIS

Qualified disabled working individuals

QI

Qualified individual

QMB

Qualified Medicare beneficiary

RVS

Relative value scale

SCHIP

State Children's Health Insurance Program

SECA

Self-Employment Contributions Act

SGA

Substantial gainful activity

SIPP

Survey of Income and Program Participation

SLMB

Specified low-income Medicare beneficiary

SMI

Supplementary Medical Insurance

SNF

Skilled nursing facility

SSA

Social Security Administration

SSI

Supplemental Security Income

TANF

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

TDI

Temporary Disability Insurance

TEFRA

Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act

TWP

Trial work period

USDA

U.S. Department of Agriculture

VA

Department of Veterans Affairs

VEAP

Veterans' Educational Assistance Program

WEP

Windfall Elimination Provision

WIN

Work Incentive Program