For advanced learners: healthcare bureaucracy, insurance systems, patient rights, and the precise vocabulary used to discuss cost and fairness in care.
Free Medical English & Doctor Visits vocabulary flashcards at the C1 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and use these words precisely, including nuance most learners miss.
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bureaucracy
a system of official rules and procedures that an organisation follows, often seen as slow
entitlement
the right to receive something guaranteed by an official rule
subsidy
money given by the government to reduce the cost of something
clause
a specific numbered section within an official policy document
overhead
the ongoing cost of running an organisation, such as rent and staff wages
caseload
the number of patients a professional is responsible for at one time
protocol
an official set of steps to be followed in a particular situation
directive
an official instruction stating what must be done in a particular situation
proxy
a person who is authorised to make decisions on someone else's behalf
disparity
a noticeable difference in outcomes between different groups of people
equity
fairness in how resources are shared among different groups of people
stigma
a feeling of shame that society unfairly attaches to something
caregiver
a person who regularly looks after someone who cannot fully care for themselves
respite
a short period of rest away from something difficult and demanding
formulary
an official list of medicines that an insurance plan agrees to pay for
reimbursement
money paid back to someone who has already spent it
waiver
an official document in which someone gives up a right that would otherwise apply
disclosure
the act of making private information known to someone
delegate
to give a specific task to someone else to carry out
audit
to officially examine an organisation's records to check they are correct
accredit
to officially recognise that an organisation meets certain standards
allocate
to officially assign a share of a resource for a particular purpose
regulate
to control an activity using official rules and standards
ration
to allow only a fixed amount of something when supplies are limited
prioritize
to deal with the most urgent matter before anything else
appeal
to formally ask for an official decision to be reconsidered
administer
to officially give a dose of medicine to a patient
exorbitant
much too expensive for what something actually offers
underinsured
having insurance that does not cover enough of your medical costs
uninsured
not covered by any insurance plan at all
holistic
considering the whole person, including mental and social wellbeing, not just physical illness
mandatory
required by an official rule and impossible to avoid
discretionary
given according to someone's own judgment rather than by a fixed rule
impartial
treating all sides fairly and without any personal bias
unsustainable
not able to continue at the same level for much longer