Nursing Home Abuse Glossary

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Malfeasance. Commission of a wrongful act; evil doing; wrongful conduct.

Malnourished. Suffering from malnutrition.

Malnutrition. A serious health problem caused by poor nutrition due to an insufficient or poorly balanced diet.

Manipulation. This occurs when one person deviously influences another for his or her own advantage.

Material Fact. Generally, a fact essential to a case or a defense without which said case or defense could not be supported.

Medicaid. A joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for many low-income people. Medicaid programs vary from state to state, but if you qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare, most health-care costs are covered.

Medically Necessary. Health-care services and supplies are medically necessary when they are proper and necessary to diagnose and/or treat a medical condition and not merely used for the convenience of the physician or the patient.

Medicare. A federal health insurance program for persons 65 or older. Medicare also covers some people under 65 who suffer from certain disabilities as well as people with End-Stage Renal Disease.

Medicare Managed Care Plan. Generally, a Medicare plan which permits you to go to specific doctors, specialists, and hospitals on the plan's list. Medicare Managed Care Plans must cover all Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) health care. The plan may or may not cover extras, like prescriptions.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance). Medicare Part A pays for in-patient hospital stays, skilled nursing home care, home health care, and hospice care.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). Medicare Part B pays for doctor's services, out-patient hospital care, and other services not covered by Medicare Part A.

Medigap. A Medicare supplemental health insurance policy offered by private insurance companies that fills the gaps in the original Medicare plan.

Misfeasance. Improper performance of a lawful act.

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