ACRONYMS

Search:
(clear)

  • a

  • The Affordable Care Act (ACA), often called Obamacare, is a comprehensive 2010 U.S. health reform law aimed at increasing health insurance access, reducing costs, and expanding Medicaid. It protects people with pre-existing conditions, provides subsidies for marketplace plans, and allows young adults to stay on parental plans until age 26.
  • ACH stands for Automated Clearing House, an electronic network used in payroll to directly deposit employee paychecks into their bank accounts. It serves as a secure, fast, and cost-effective alternative to paper checks, allowing employers to transfer funds directly from their company account to employee accounts in one to three days.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a landmark federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and public/private places open to the public. It ensures equal opportunity and access, requiring reasonable accommodations.
  • The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), running from October 15 to December 7 annually, is a critical, set window for beneficiaries to review and change their Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Changes made during this time go into effect on January 1 of the following year.
  • AI/AN is the standard abbreviation for American Indian and Alaska Native, a term used by U.S. government agencies and organizations to represent individuals belonging to indigenous tribes, nations, bands, pueblos, or communities in the United States. It is commonly used in data, health, and policy contexts.
  • In workers' compensation, especially in California, AME stands for Agreed Medical Evaluator (or sometimes Agreed Medical Examiner). It refers to a physician selected by agreement between an injured worker's attorney and the insurance company to evaluate medical disputes, such as injury extent or permanent disability.
  • AOE-COE (Arising Out of Employment/Course of Employment) is the two-pronged legal standard in US workers' compensation law determining if an injury is work-related and compensable. "Arising Out of" (AOE) refers to the cause/origin of the injury, while "Course of Employment" (COE) refers to the time, place, and circumstances of the incident
  • The Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC) is a HealthCare.gov federal subsidy that lowers monthly health insurance premiums for eligible individuals purchasing coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Based on estimated household income (generally 100%–400% of the federal poverty level, though expanded through 2025), the credit is paid directly to insurers. Recipients must file a tax return to reconcile this credit.
  • Administrative Services Only (ASO) insured refers to a self-insured arrangement where an employer directly funds employee health claims rather than paying fixed, traditional premiums to an insurance carrier. The employer assumes the financial risk, while a third-party administrator (TPA)—often a major insurer—handles claims processing, network access, and administration.
  • An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers and recruiters to manage the hiring process, serving as a central database for job postings, applications, and candidate screening. It streamlines recruiting by scanning resumes for keywords, filtering applicants, and tracking candidate progress from application to hiring.
  • In workers' compensation, the Average Weekly Wage (AWW) is the calculation of an employee's average gross income—including overtime, bonuses, and tips—during the weeks preceding an injury. It acts as the foundation for determining weekly benefit rates, which are typically two-thirds of this average, and is usually calculated by dividing total earnings from the 52 weeks (or 26 weeks in some jurisdictions) prior to the injury by the number of weeks worked