advice nurse/advice line: A phone number Kaiser Permanente members can call 24 hours per day to obtain medical advice and information. board-certified: A physician who is board-certified has passed a rigorous exam in one or more specialty areas, in addition to the completion of his or her standard medical training. State medical boards offer and monitor these programs. copayment: The amount of money you must pay out of your own pocket for each doctor visit or for each prescription refill, for example. emergency: A case of illness or injury that is life-threatening or could result in the loss of a limb without immediate treatment. HMO: Health Maintenance Organization. Although it originally was intended to specify organizations like Kaiser Permanente that emphasize preventive care, the term HMO is now widely applied to many other kinds of managed care organizations. Kaiser Permanente: The name Kaiser Permanente represents the partnership between Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and the 12 Permanente Medical Groups, who care only for Health Plan members. medical office building: Permanente physicians and other Kaiser Permanente health care providers practice in our own medical office buildings. Your local medical office building may contain your physicians office, a pharmacy, or other services such as health education. Permanente Medical Groups: The 12 Permanente Medical Groups across the nation work in partnership with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, providing care and services only to Health Plan members. The Permanente Medical Groups are self-governing and independent; they are not salaried nor overseen by the Health Plan, leaving them free to make medical decisions based on their professional judgment of the best course of treatment for each patient. preventive care: The style of medicine emphasized by Kaiser Permanente. Preventive care goes beyond providing treatment when you are sick or injured, and also emphasizes how to keep individuals healthy and avoid disease and injury. primary care physician: The physician who provides your routine health care services, and is your first point of contact when you become sick. This physician can easily refer you to a specialist (such as a surgeon) should you require care outside the scope of his or her expertise. screening diagnostics: Tests that provide early detection of or rule out the possible presence of disease, such as Pap smears, mammograms, and colorectal exams. Screening diagnostics are an important part of preventive medicine. specialist: A physician who provides specialized medical services, such as heart surgery. urgent care: The sudden onset of illness or injury that requires attention but is not life- or limb-threatening. well-baby care: A series of check-ups and other services to maintain a newborn, infant, or young childs health.