Healthcare Glossary

This glossary explains the words and features you’ll see on ExploreCarePricing. It gives simple meanings for tools on the site, like search buttons, filters, maps, and pricing terms. Use it anytime you want quick, easy‑to‑understand definitions while comparing healthcare prices.

About Us Page

Links to a short overview of ExploreCarePricing — who we are, what we do, and our mission to make healthcare pricing easier to understand.

Get Directions Button

The Get Directions button opens the facility’s location in Google Maps. This helps consumers quickly see where the facility is located and plan their visit.

What the Get Directions Button Provides

When the Google Maps page opens, consumers can view:

1. The facility’s address
2. Driving directions, traffic estimates, and route options
3. Operating hours (if available)
4. Phone number
5. Website link (if provided by the facility)
6. Street View and photos
7. User reviews and ratings
8. Nearby landmarks or parking options

When to Use It

Consumers can use the Get Directions button when they want to:

1. Confirm the facility’s exact location
2. Check travel time
3. Navigate directly from their phone or desktop
4. Review additional facility details before choosing where to go

Back Button

Takes the user to the previous page they were viewing. Useful when navigating between search results, facility pages, or comparison views.

Bell Curve

The Bell Curve provides a visual, color‑coded graph that shows how cash prices and insurance prices compare across facilities. These can be seen on the Comparison Page and the Details page.

What the Bell Curve Shows

1. High and low prices for the selected procedure
2. Distribution of prices across facilities in the area
3. Cash price range displayed visually
4. Insurance pricing range when available
5. A quick way to see whether a facility’s price is below, above, or within the typical range

Why It’s Helpful

The Bell Curve helps consumers:

1. Understand how prices vary
2. Identify outliers (very high or very low prices)
3. See where a facility’s price falls compared to others
4. Make more informed decisions based on real pricing patterns

Cash Price Sort By Option

1. Low to High — shows the most affordable cash prices first
2. High to Low — shows the highest cash prices first

Clear Button

The Clear button on the Comparison page removes all text from both the Location and Procedure fields at the same time.

What the Clear Button Does

1. Clears the Location field
2. Clears the Procedure field
3. Resets both fields to blank so the user can start a new search

When to Use It

Users select the Clear button when they want to:

1. Quickly remove previous search inputs
2. Enter a new location and procedure without manually deleting text
3. Start a fresh comparison search

Distance Filter

Allows users to filter facilities based on how far they are from the selected location. Options include:

1. 25 miles
2. 75 miles
3. 150 miles
4. 300 miles

Drop‑Down Carets

Drop‑down carets are used throughout ExploreCarePricing to open lists of options and reveal additional fields.

Where Drop‑Down Carets Are Used

Users will see drop‑down carets in several places across the site, including:

1. City / State / ZIP Code field on the landing page
2. Search by Keyword, Treatment, or Medical Code field
3. Sort By filter on the Comparison page
4. Insurance Pricing list of insurers on the Details page

What Drop‑Down Carets Do

1. Expand a list of available options
2. Allow users to select the correct location, procedure, filter, or insurer
3. Keep the page clean and organized by showing only what’s needed

Why They’re Helpful

Drop‑down carets help users:

1. Quickly find the right option
2. Reduce typing by selecting from a list
3. Navigate complex fields more easily

Facility Tile

Each Facility Tile on the Comparison page provides a quick snapshot of key information for a facility offering the selected procedure.

What the Facility Tile Includes

1. Facility Name — the official name of the hospital or clinic
2. Review Rating — the Google star rating for the facility
3. Cash Price — displayed in the default view
4. Insurance Price — displayed in the default view when available
5. View Detail button — takes the user to the full Details page for that facility
6. Share link — allows the user to share the facility through WhatsApp, Facebook, Google, or by copying the link

Why the Facility Tile Is Helpful

Facility Tiles help consumers:

1. Quickly compare multiple facilities at a glance
2. See essential pricing and rating information without opening each page
3. Navigate directly to detailed information when needed
4. Share or save facilities easily during their comparison process

Filter Options

The Filter Options on the Comparison page help consumers narrow results and find facilities that best match their needs.

Why Filters Are Helpful

Filters help consumers:

1. Narrow down large result sets
2. Focus on facilities that match their budget
3. Compare options based on distance, payment type, insurer, and quality
4. Make more informed decisions with less effort

Footer Documents

The footer provides quick access to important information and support resources across ExploreCarePricing.

Home Button

Returns the user to the ExploreCarePricing home page at any time. This provides a quick way to start a new search or return to the main navigation.

Heart Icon (Saved Facilities)

The Heart icon opens the user’s Saved Facilities list. This list includes any facilities the user has saved using the Save option on a facility details page.

Users can:

1. View all saved facilities in one place
2. Revisit pricing information quickly
3. Compare saved options more easily

Help Button

The Help button located in the header of all website pages gives consumers a direct way to reach our team when they need support.

What the Help Button Does

1. Opens the Contact page
2. Allows consumers to send our team an email for assistance
3. Ensures questions, issues, or feedback reach the right place quickly

When to Use It

Consumers can use the Help button if they:

1. Have trouble finding a price
2. Experience an issue loading a page
3. Need clarification about a service or result
4. Want to share feedback or request improvements

What Happens Next

Once the message is submitted, our team receives it by email and responds as soon as possible.

Insurance Price Sort By Option

1. Low to High — shows the lowest insurance prices first
2. High to Low — shows the highest insurance prices first

Insurance Pricing Block

The Insurance Pricing Block on the Details page shows all insurance payers that have a negotiated price for the selected procedure. Use the scroll bar to move list up and down.

What the Insurance Pricing Block Provides

1. A list of all insurers with available negotiated rates
2. The negotiated price each insurer has for the procedure
3. A clear view of how insurance pricing compares across payers
4. Transparency into which insurers have published rates for that facility

Why It’s Helpful

The Insurance Pricing Block helps consumers:

1. Understand how their insurer’s negotiated rate compares to others
2. See whether a facility has pricing available for their specific insurance
3. Make more informed decisions based on real, payer‑specific pricing

Legal Page

Includes our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. These documents explain how we handle data, how the site may be used, and the rights and responsibilities of all users.

Logo

The ExploreCarePricing logo in the top left corner acts as a quick navigation shortcut.

What the Logo Does

1. Returns the user to the ExploreCarePricing landing page
2. Provides an easy way to start a new search or return to the main navigation
3. Works the same on all pages across the site

When to Use It

Users can select the logo anytime they want to:

1. Restart their search
2. Return to the home page after viewing facility details
3. Navigate back without using the Back button

Maps

Maps are available on both the Comparison Page and the Details Page to help consumers understand where each facility is located.

What the Maps Provide

1. A Google Maps view of each facility’s location
2. A visual reference to help users see how far facilities are from their home or workplace
3. Nearby roads, landmarks, and surrounding areas
4. A quick way to understand geographic convenience when comparing options

Where Maps Appear

1. Comparison Page — shows the locations of all facilities included in the comparison
2. Details Page — shows the location of the specific facility being viewed

Why Maps Are Helpful

Maps help consumers:

1. See which facilities are closest
2. Understand travel time and accessibility
3. Make more informed decisions based on both price and location

Name

1. A to Z — alphabetical order by facility name
2. Z to A — reverse alphabetical order

Popular Care Searches

The Popular Care Searches section appears on the ExploreCarePricing landing page. It highlights the procedures that consumers search for most often on the site.

What Popular Care Searches Provides

1. A quick list of the most frequently viewed procedures
2. A fast way for users to jump directly into common pricing searches
3. Insight into what other consumers are researching on ExploreCarePricing

Why It’s Helpful

This section helps users:

1. Start their search faster
2. Explore procedures they may not have known to look for
3. See trending or commonly compared services

Payer Name

Displays a list of all insurance payers with available pricing for the selected procedure. Users can select their insurer to see prices specific to their plan.

Payment Method Filter

Filters results based on how the user plans to pay:

1. Insurance Price
2. Cash Price
3. Both (shows all available pricing)

Price Range Filter

Helps users focus on facilities within a specific cost range:

1. $1–$200
2. $200–$500
3. $500–$1,000
4. $1,000+

Ratings Filter

Shows facilities based on their Google star rating, helping users consider both cost and patient experience.

Reset Filters

The Reset Filters button clears all selected filters on the Comparison page and returns the filter panel to its default settings.

What Reset Filters Does

1. Removes all active filter selections
2. Restores the original, unfiltered list of facilities
3. Resets Distance, Payment Method, Price Range, Payer Name, and Ratings back to default

When to Use It

Users select Reset Filters when they want to:

1. Start over with a fresh comparison
2. Remove multiple filters at once
3. View the full list of facilities again without any restrictions

Resources Page

Links to our Glossary, which contains definitions for all terms, functions, and pricing concepts used throughout the site.

Save Hospital Button

The Save Hospital button allows users to save a facility from the Details page under the Quick Actions block to your personal Saved Hospital list.

What the Save Hospital Button Does

1. Saves the facility directly to the user’s Saved Hospital List
2. Adds the facility to the list accessed through the Heart icon
3. Allows users to quickly revisit facilities they are comparing or want to remember

Why It’s Helpful

Saving a hospital helps users:

1. Keep track of facilities they’re interested in
2. Build a personalized list for easier comparison
3. Return to important facility pages without searching again

Search Button

The Search button is used to start a cost‑transparency search on ExploreCarePricing.

Where the Search Button Appears

1. Landing Page — to begin a new search for a procedure or service
2. Comparison Page — to update or refine a comparison search

What the Search Button Does

1. Initiates the search based on the procedure or keyword the user enters
2. Loads real pricing information from facilities in the selected area
3. Updates results when users change or refine their search terms

When to Use It

Users select the Search button when they want to:

1. Look up the cost of a specific procedure
2. Start a new search from the home page
3. Refresh or update results on the comparison page

Sort By

The Sort By feature on the Comparison page allows consumers to reorder facility results based on Cash, Insurance or Name.

Why Sort By Is Helpful

Sorting helps consumers:

1. Quickly identify the lowest‑cost options
2. Compare facilities based on their preferred payment method
3. Find a specific facility by name
4. Organize results in a way that supports easier decision‑making

Scroll Bar

The Scroll Bar allows users to move up and down the page to view more content.

What the Scroll Bar Does

1. Moves the page down to show information below the visible area
2. Moves the page up to return to earlier content
3. Helps users navigate long pages without using the keyboard or touch gestures

When to Use It

Users can use the Scroll Bar anytime they want to:

1. Read additional details further down the page
2. Return to the top or earlier sections
3. Navigate through long lists, search results, or facility details

Share Facility Button

The Share Facility button makes it easy for users to share a facility’s details with others. Located on the Details page and next to the Detail Button (Share Link) of all Facilities on the Comparison page

What the Share Facility Button Provides

When selected, users can share the facility through:

1. WhatsApp
2. Facebook
3. Google (Gmail or Google sharing options)
4. Copy Link — copies the facility link so it can be pasted anywhere

When to Use It

Users may share a facility when they want to:

1. Send pricing information to a family member or caregiver
2. Share options with someone helping them compare facilities
3. Save the link for later in their notes or messages

NOTE: This is the only section of website that can be copied. All other copy options have been disabled to protect the proprietary material on the website.

Support Page

Opens the Contact Us page, where consumers can reach our team for help, questions, or feedback.

Upward Caret (▲)

A green upward caret appears in the footer. Selecting it takes the user back to the top of the page for easier navigation.

Clearing your browser cache can fix slow loading, display issues, or outdated pages. Below are quick steps for the two supported browsers.

Google Chrome (Recommended)

1. Open Chrome.
2. Select the three dots in the upper‑right corner.
3. Choose Settings.
4. Select Privacy and security.
5. Select Clear browsing data.
6. Choose Cached images and files.
7. Select Clear data.

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Edge.
2. Select the three dots in the upper‑right corner.
3. Choose Settings.
4. Select Privacy, search, and services.
5. Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear.
6. Select Cached images and files.
7. Select Clear now.

Tip

After clearing your cache, close and reopen your browser to ensure changes take effect.

ExploreCarePricing.com works in both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. For the fastest load times and the smoothest overall performance, Google Chrome is the preferred browser.

Why Chrome Performs Best

1. Optimized handling of modern JavaScript frameworks
2. Faster rendering of interactive pricing components
3. More consistent behavior across devices and operating systems

Supported Browsers

1. Google Chrome – Recommended for best performance
2. Microsoft Edge – Fully supported, may load slightly slower depending on device settings

Tip for Best Results

Keep your browser updated to the latest version to ensure the site loads quickly and features display correctly.

Emergency Room (ER) - A place you go right away for serious problems.

Hospital - A place where people go when they are very sick or hurt.

Primary Care Provider (PCP) - Your main doctor or nurse.

Specialist - A doctor who helps with one health problem.

Urgent Care - A clinic for problems that cannot wait but are not emergencies.

Acute Illness - A sickness that starts fast and ends soon.

Chronic Condition - A health problem that does not go away.

Diagnosis - The name of your health problem.

Prevention - Ways to keep from getting sick.

Symptoms - How your body feels when something is wrong.

CT Scan (CAT Scan) - A special X-ray that shows more detail.

Mammogram - An X-ray of the breast.

MRI - A machine that takes detailed pictures inside your body.

Ultrasound - A test that uses sound waves to see inside your body.

X-ray - A picture to see your bones inside your body.

Copay - Money you pay when you see the doctor.

Covered Services - Care your insurance will help pay for.

Deductible - Money you pay before insurance helps.

Insurance - Help paying for healthcare.

Premium - Money you pay each month for insurance.

Ear Wax Removal - Cleaning wax from the ear.

Mole Removal - Removing a spot on the skin.

Skin Tag Removal - Removing a small piece of skin.

Wound Stitches - Closing a cut with stitches.

Biopsy - A small piece of tissue is taken to test.

Cataract Surgery - Surgery to fix cloudy vision.

Colonoscopy - A test that checks the inside of the colon.

Endoscopy - A test that looks inside the stomach.

Joint Injection - Medicine placed into a joint to reduce pain.

Annual Checkup - A regular visit to check your health.

Office Visit - A visit to see a doctor or nurse.

Physical Exam - A head to toe health check.

Well Child Visit - A checkup for a child