Healthcare has a language all its own, full of complex terms and acronyms that can be confusing. NCHA has compiled this guide to healthcare terms and acronyms that provides brief definitions for many of the industry’s medical, financial and government terms, as well as descriptions of government agencies and most of our peer provider organizations in North Carolina. You can use the search function to find a specific definition or terms pertaining to a topic, or use the alphabetical listing with acronyms included as applicable. Web links are provided for many of the agencies and organizations in our glossary. Terms included in the glossary also are highlighted throughout text on the entire website.[glossary]