Health terms glossary
Health terms, decoded.
From A1c to deductibles, here are clear definitions of the words you hear at the doctor's office and on your insurance card — so nothing about your care feels like a foreign language.
How to use this page
A quick reference, not a diagnosis.
These are everyday explanations meant to help you feel informed — not medical advice. For what any term means for your health specifically, book a visit with Johanna Delphin, FNP, in person in Port St. Lucie or by telehealth across Florida.
A
- A1c (HbA1c)
- A1c is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar over the past two to three months, reported as a percentage. It is the main number used to diagnose and track diabetes. An A1c at or above 6.5% generally indicates diabetes.Type 2 diabetes
- Acute vs. Chronic
- An acute problem comes on suddenly and is usually short-lived, like a sore throat or a sprained ankle. A chronic condition lasts for months or years and is managed over time, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.Chronic disease management
B
- BMI (Body Mass Index)
- BMI is a quick screening number that compares your weight to your height. It helps flag whether weight may be affecting your health, but it does not measure body fat directly, so your provider reads it alongside other findings.Weight management
C
- CBC (Complete Blood Count)
- A CBC is a common blood test that counts your red cells, white cells, and platelets. It helps screen for anemia, infection, and other issues, and is often part of routine bloodwork at a physical.What to expect at an annual physical
- Chronic Disease
- A chronic disease is a long-term health condition that usually needs ongoing care, like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or thyroid disorders. The goal of treatment is to keep it controlled and prevent complications.Chronic disease management
- CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)
- A CMP is a blood test that checks 14 measures of how your body is working, including blood sugar, kidney and liver function, and key electrolytes. It gives your provider a broad snapshot of your metabolic health.Preventive care
- Coinsurance
- Coinsurance is the share of a medical bill you pay as a percentage after you have met your deductible. For example, with 20% coinsurance, your insurance pays 80% of the covered cost and you pay the remaining 20%.
- Copay (Copayment)
- A copay is a fixed dollar amount you pay for a covered visit or service, such as $30 for an office visit. You usually pay it at the time of care, and it is set by your insurance plan.
D
- Deductible
- A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for covered care each year before your insurance starts paying its share. Once you meet it, you typically only owe copays or coinsurance.
- Diagnostic Test
- A diagnostic test is ordered to find the cause of a symptom or to confirm a suspected condition. It differs from a screening test, which looks for problems before any symptoms appear.Screening vs. diagnostic test
E
- EHR (Electronic Health Record)
- An EHR is the secure digital chart your care team uses to store your visit notes, lab results, medications, and history. It lets your providers see an up-to-date picture of your health and share it safely when needed.
F
- FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- A Family Nurse Practitioner is an advanced-practice nurse with graduate training who can serve as your primary care provider for all ages. An FNP can diagnose conditions, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and manage chronic disease.When to see a nurse practitioner
G
- Good Faith Estimate
- A Good Faith Estimate is a written estimate of expected charges that you have a right to receive before scheduled care if you are uninsured or paying out of pocket. It helps you understand costs up front under the federal No Surprises Act.Our Good Faith Estimate notice
H
- HDL Cholesterol
- HDL is often called the "good" cholesterol because it helps carry cholesterol out of your bloodstream. Higher HDL levels are generally protective for your heart.High cholesterol
- HIPAA
- HIPAA is the federal privacy law that protects your personal health information. It limits who can see your records and gives you rights over your own health data.Our HIPAA notice
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Hypertension means the pressure of blood against your artery walls stays too high over time, which can quietly strain your heart and blood vessels. A reading at or above 130/80 mmHg is generally considered high.High blood pressure
I
- Immunization vs. Vaccination
- Vaccination is the act of getting a vaccine, usually as a shot. Immunization is the broader process of becoming protected from a disease as a result. In everyday use the two words are often used to mean the same thing.Preventive care
- In-Network
- In-network means a provider or facility has a contract with your insurance plan, so your covered care usually costs less. Out-of-network care often costs more or may not be covered at all.
L
- LDL Cholesterol
- LDL is often called the "bad" cholesterol because high levels can build up in your arteries and raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. Lowering LDL is a common goal in managing heart health.High cholesterol
- Lipid Panel
- A lipid panel is a blood test that measures your cholesterol and triglycerides, including total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol. It helps your provider gauge your risk for heart disease.High cholesterol
N
- NPI (National Provider Identifier)
- An NPI is a unique ten-digit number assigned to a healthcare provider in the United States. It is used on insurance claims and records to identify the provider, much like an ID number.
P
- PCP (Primary Care Provider)
- Your PCP is the clinician you see first for most health needs, including checkups, common illnesses, and ongoing conditions. A PCP gets to know your full history and coordinates any specialist care you need.How to choose a primary care provider
- Prediabetes
- Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diabetes. It is an early warning sign, and lifestyle changes can often bring levels back to a healthy range. An A1c of 5.7% to 6.4% generally indicates prediabetes.Type 2 diabetes
- Preventive Care
- Preventive care is the routine care that helps keep you healthy and catches problems early, such as annual physicals, screenings, and vaccines. Many preventive services are fully covered by insurance with no copay.Preventive care
- Primary Care
- Primary care is the everyday, whole-person healthcare you receive from a provider you can return to over time. It covers prevention, common illnesses, chronic conditions, and guidance on when you need a specialist.Primary care
R
- Referral
- A referral is a recommendation from your primary care provider to see a specialist. Some insurance plans require a referral before they will cover specialist care.
S
- Screening vs. Diagnostic Test
- A screening test checks for a possible problem before you have any symptoms, like a routine cholesterol check. A diagnostic test is done to investigate a symptom or confirm a condition that is already suspected.Preventive care
T
- Telehealth
- Telehealth is a medical visit you attend by secure video or phone instead of coming into the office. It is well suited to follow-ups, reviewing lab results, and many routine concerns.Telehealth
- TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
- TSH is a blood test that measures how hard your body is signaling your thyroid to work. It is the main test used to check for an underactive or overactive thyroid.Thyroid disorders
V
- Vitals (Vital Signs)
- Vitals are the basic measurements taken at the start of most visits, including blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, breathing rate, and often weight. They give a quick read on how your body is functioning.What to expect at an annual physical
Still have a question about a term — or your own numbers?
The best way to understand what a result or a coverage detail means for you is a conversation. Book a visit or reach out and we will walk through it together.
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