Health Care Abbreviations, Acronyms and Definitions

Health Care Abbreviations, Acronyms and Definitions A AAHP American Association of Health Plans AAPCC Adjusted Average Per Capita Cost The estimated average cost of Medicare benefits for an individual in a county, based on factors of age, sex, institutional status, Medicaid, disability, and end stage renal disease status. HCFA uses the AAPCCs to make monthly payments to risk and cost contractors. AAPPO American Associatio0n of Preferred Provider Organizations ABMS American Board of Medical Specialties An organization formed for the purpose of assisting its member boards in their efforts to promote quality and efficiency in the process of evaluating and certifying physician specialties. ACHE American College of Healthcare Executives ACI Ambulatory Care, Inc. ACR Adjusted Community Rating Community rating impacted by group specific demographics and the group s prior experience ACSW Academy of Certified Social Workers ADA Americans with Disabilities Act ADM Alcohol, Drug or Mental Disorder ADS Alternative Delivery System An all-purpose phrase generally used to cover forms of health care delivery other than the traditional private, fee-for-service, practice, PPOs, HMOs, and IPAs are among the systems covered by the term. AHA American Hospital Association AHC Alternative Health Care AHRQ Association for Healthcare Research Quality AHS Alternative Health Services ALOS Average Length of Stay The average number of days in a hospital for each admission-to determine ALOS, a formula is used; total patient days incurred / number of admissions and discharges during the period. AMA American Medical Association AMCRA American Managed Care and Review Association, see AAHP AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction AOD Administrator on Duty AP Accounts Payable APT Admissions Per Thousand The number of hospital admissions per 1,000 health plan members. This number is determined by utilizing the formula (# of admissions/member months) x 1,000 members x # of months. AR Accounts Receivable

B C ASO ASR ASU AUR AWP BSI Administrative Services Only A service requiring a third party to deliver administrative services to an employer group and requiring the employer to be at risk for the cost of health care services provided. This is a common arrangement when an employer sponsors a self-funded health care program. Age/Sex Rate A set of rates for a given group product in which there is a separate rate for each grouping of age and sex categories One overall tab serves a defined group or product. These rates are used to calculate premiums for group billing purposes. This type of premium structure is often preferred over single and family rating in small groups because it automatically adjusts to demographic changes in the group. Ambulatory Surgery Unit Ambulatory Utilization Review Average Wholesale Price The standardized cost of a pharmaceutical, calculated by averaging the cost of an undiscounted pharmaceutical charged to a pharmacy provider by a large group of pharmaceutical wholesale supplier. Blood Stream Infection CAC Certified Alcoholism Counselor CAM Center for Advanced Medicine Cap Capitation In the strictest sense, capitation is a stipulated dollar amount established to cover the cost of health care delivered for a person. The term usually refers to a negotiated per capita rate to be paid periodically, usually monthly, to a health care provider. The provider is responsible for delivering or arranging for the delivery of all health services required by the covered person under the conditions of the provider contract. CAP Community Acquired Pneumonia CAUTI Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection CCU Critical Care Unit CEO Chief Executive Officer CFO Chief Financial Officer CHA The Catholic Health Association of the United States CHAMPUS Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services CHAP Community Health Accreditation Program CHCS Community Health & Counseling Services CHF Congestive Heart Failure CHS Covenant Health Systems CICLSAL Congregation of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of

Apostolic Life CIO Chief Information Officer CLABSI Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection CM Case Management CME Continuing Medical Education CMP Competitive Medical Plan An organization is granted this status by the federal government after they have shown they meet specified criteria. Once this status is achieved, it enables the organization to obtain a Medicare risk contract. CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMSM The Conference of Major Superiors of Men s Institutes in the United States COA Certificate of Authority A certificate issued by a state government, licensing the operation of a health maintenance organization. COB Coordination of Benefits The provision in a contract which applies when a person is covered under more than one group medical program - It requires that payment of benefits will be coordinated by all programs to eliminate over-insurance or duplication of benefits. COBRA Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act A federal law that requires employers to offer continued health insurance coverage to certain employees and their beneficiaries whose group health insurance coverage has been terminated. COC Certificate of Coverage A description of the benefits included in a carrier s plan. The certificate of coverage is required by state laws and represents the coverage provided under contract issued to the employer. The certificate is provided to the employee. COLA Cost of Living Adjustment CON Certificate of Need A certificate issued by a government body to an individual or organization proposing to construct or modify a health facility, acquire major new medical equipment, or offer new or different health service. Such issuance recognizes that a facility or service, when available, will meet the needs of those of whom it is intended. COO Chief Operating Officer CPHA Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities CPT Current Procedural Terminology (Physician s) A list of medical services and procedures performed by physicians and other providers - Each service and/or procedure is identified by its own unique 5-digit code. CQI Continuous Quality Improvement CR Carrier Replacement

CRC A situation where a sole carrier replaces one or more other carriers on a specific group client - This allows consolidation of the group s experience and risk. Community Rating By Class The practice of community rating impacted by the group s specific demographics CRNA Certified Registered Nurse in Anesthesia D DAW Dispense As Written DC Dual Choice A term used to describe a situation in which only two carriers are contracted by a specific group. DCA Deferred Compensation Administrator A company that provides services through retirement planning, salary survey administration and workers compensation claims administration. DCI Duplicate Coverage Inquiry A request to an insurance company or group medical plan by another insurance company or medical plan to find out whether other coverage exists for the purpose of coordination of benefits. DME Durable Medical Equipment Equipment which can stand repeated use, is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, and is appropriate for use at home. Examples include hospital beds, wheelchairs and oxygen equipment. DNR Do Not Resuscitate DO Doctor of Osteopathy DOB Date of Birth DOH Department of Health DOS Date of Service The date on which care services were provided to the covered person DPR Drug Price Review A weekly updating of drug prices, at average wholesale price, from the American Druggist Blue Book DPT Days per Thousand The number of inpatient days per 1000 health plan members. The formula is: (# of days/member months) x 1000 members x # of months. DRG Diagnosis Related Group A system of classification for inpatient hospital services based on principal diagnosis, secondary diagnosis, surgical procedures, age, sex, and presence of complications. This system of classification is used as a financing mechanism to reimburse hospital and selected other providers for services rendered. DSH Disproportionate Share Hospital DSMIII-R Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 3 rd Edition, Revised

DUE DUR DX American Psychiatric Association s manual of diagnostic criteria and terminology, widely accepted as the common language of mental health clinicians and researchers. Drug Use Evaluation Same as drug utilization review, qualitative in nature rather than quantitative. Drug Utilization Review A quantitative evaluation of prescription drug use, physician prescribing patterns or patient drug utilization to determine the appropriateness of drug therapy Diagnosis Code E EAP ED EDI EMTALAA EOB EOI EOM EOMB EOY EPO Employee Assistance Program Services designed to assist employees, their family members, and employers in finding solutions for workplace and personal problems. Emergency Department Electronic Data Interchange The computer-to-computer exchange of business or other information between two organizations The data may be in either a standardized or proprietary format. Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act Explanation of Benefits The statement sent to covered persons by their health plan listing services provided, amount billed, and payment made. Evidence of Insurability Proof presented through written statements and/or medical examination that an individual is eligible for a certain type of insurance coverage. This form is required for eligible persons who do not enroll during the open enrollment period, or who apply for excess amounts of group life insurance. End of Month Explanation of Medicare Benefits End of Year Exclusive Provider Organization A term derived from the phrase preferred provider organization (PPO). However, where a PPO generally extends coverage for non-preferred provider services as well as preferred provider services, an EPO provides coverage only for contracted providers. ERDs Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services ERISA Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 This law mandates reporting and disclosure requirement for group life and health plans.

F FACHE Fellow of American College of Healthcare Executive FFS Fee For Service Equivalency A quantitative measure of the difference between the amount a physician and/or other provider receives from an alternative reimbursement system, e.g. capitation, compared to fee-for-service reimbursement. FFS FSA Fee For Service Reimbursement The traditional health care payment system, under which physicians and other providers receive a payment that does not exceed their billed charge for each unit of service provided. Flexible Spending Account G GHAA Group Health Association of America H HAI Hospital Acquired Infection HAC Hospital Acquired Condition HAZMAT Hazardous Materials HCFA Health Care Financing Administration The federal agency responsible for administering Medicare and overseeing states administration of Medicaid HCFA 1500 A universal billing form developed by HCFA. HCPCS HCFA Common Procedural Coding System A listing of services, procedures and supplies offered by physicians and other providers HCPP Health Care Prepayment Plan A cost contract with the Heath Care Financing Administration that prepays a health plan a flat amount per month to provide Medicare-eligible Part B medical services to enrolled members Members pay premiums to cover the Medicare coinsurance, deductibles and copayments, plus any additional non-medicare covered services that the plan provides. The HCPP does not arrange for Part A services. HEDIS Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set A core set of performance measures to assist employers and other health purchasers in understanding the value of health care purchases and evaluating health plan performance. HHA Home Health Agency A facility or program licensed, certified or otherwise authorized pursuant to state and federal laws to provide health care services in the home. HH&H Home Health and Hospice HHS Department of Health and Human Services

HIAA Health Insurance Association of America HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPC Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperative Purchasing pools which are responsible for negotiating health insurance arrangements for employers and/or employees. HMO HR HSA HSP Health Maintenance / Management Organization An entity that provides, offers or arranges for coverage of designated health services needed y plan members for a fixed, prepaid premium. There are four basic models of HMOs: group model, individual practice association, network model, and staff model. Human Resources Health Service Agreement The detailed procedure and benefit description given to each enrolled employer. Health Service Plan I IBNR ICD ICD-9-CM ICF IHI IMO IPA IME IRB IS Incurred But Not Reported Costs associated with a medical service that has been provided, but for which a claim has not yet been received by the carrier. See ICD-9-CM International Classification of Diseases, 9 th Edition (Clinical Modification) A listing of diagnoses and identifying codes used by physicians for reporting diagnoses of health plan enrollees. Intermediate Care Facility A facility providing a level of care that is less than the degree of care and treatment that a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF) is designed to provide, but greater than the level of room and board Institute for Healthcare Improvement Integrated Multiple Option Individual Practice Association A health care model that contracts with an entity which in turn contracts with physicians, to provide health care services in return for a negotiated fee Physicians continue in their existing individual or group practices and compensated on a per capita, fee schedule, or fee-for-service basis. Independent Medical Evaluation An examination carried out by an impartial health care provider, generally board certified, for the purpose of resolving a dispute related to the nature and extent of illness or injury. Institutional Review Board Information Systems

J JCAHO Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations A private, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits hospitals and other health care organizations providing home care, mental health care, ambulatory care, and long-term services. K L LCP Licensed Clinical Psychologist LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCWR Leadership Conference of Women Religious LOS Length of Stay The number of days that a covered person stayed in an inpatient facility LPC Licensed Professional Counselor M MAC MCR MD MDC MEC Medigap Medsupp MHA MH/CD MHDO MHHEFA MHMC Maximum Allowable Cost List A list of specified multi-source prescription medications that will be covered at a generic product cost level established by the plan. Modified Community Rating A separate rating of medical service usage in a given geographic area using age-sex data, etc Medical Doctor Major Diagnostic Category A clinically coherent grouping of ICD-9-CM diagnoses by major organ system or etiology that is used as the first step in assignment of most diagnosis related groups (DRGs). MDCs are commonly used for aggregated DRG reporting. Medical Staff Executive Committee Medicare Supplement Insurance See Medsupp. Medicare Supplement Insurance A policy guaranteeing that a health plan will pay a policyholder s coinsurance, deductible and copayments and will provide additional health plan or non-medicare coverage for services up to a predefined benefit limit Maine Hospital Association Mental Health/Chemical Dependency Maine Health Data Organization Maine Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority Maine Health Management Coalition

N MH/SA Mental Health/Substance Abuse MPHP Maine Partners Health Plan MQF Maine Quality Forum MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging MSHJ Medical Staff Hospital Joint Venture MSO Management Service Organization A legal entity that provides practice management, administrative and support services to individual physicians or group practices. An MSO may be a direct subsidiary of a hospital or may be owned by investors. MSS Medical Social Services MSW Master s in Social Work NAEHCA National Association of Employers on Health Care Action NAHMOR National Association of HMO Regulators NAIC National Association of Insurance Commissioners NAIP National Association of Inpatient Physicians NCPDP National Council of Prescription Drug Programs NCQA National Committee on Quality Assurance NDC National Drug Code A national classification system for identification of drugs Similar to the Universal Product Code (UPC) NDNQI National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators NHCQF Northeast Health Care Quality Foundation (Medicare QIO) NHSN National Health Safety Network Non-par Non-participating Provider A term used to describe a provider that has not contracted with the carrier or health plan to be a participating provider of health care services. NPA National Prescription Audit NPA Non-par Approved NPN Non-par Not Approved NPOA Not Present on Admission NQF National Quality Forum O OA OCD OI OIG OOA Open Access A self-referral arrangement allowing members to see participating providers for specialty care without a referral from another doctor Official Catholic Directory Organizational Integrity (same as Corporate Compliance) Office of Inspector General Out-Of-Area

Coverage for treatment obtained by a covered person outside the network service area OOPs Out-Of-Pocket costs/expenses The portion of payments for health services required to be paid by the enrollee, including copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. OR Operating Rooms OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration OT Occupational Therapy OTC Over-The Counter A drug product that does not require a prescription under federal or state law P PA Physician s Assistant PA-C Physician s Assistant-Certified PAC Pre-Admission Certification A review of the need for inpatient hospital care, done prior to the actual admission Established review criteria are used to determine the appropriateness of inpatient care. Par Participating Provider A provider who has contracted with the health plan to deliver medical services to covered persons. The provider may be a hospital, pharmacy, or other facility or a physician who has contractually accepted the terms and conditions as set forth by the health plan. PAT Pre-Admission Testing PCC Patient Care Committee PCHC Penobscot Community Health Care PCN Primary Care Network A group of primary care physicians who have joined together to share the risk of providing care to their patients who are covered by a given health plan PCP Primary Care Physician A physician whose practice is devoted primarily to internal medicine, family/general practice and pediatrics PCPM Per Contract Per Month The dollar amount related to each effective contract holder, subscriber or member for each month. PCR Physician Contingency Reserve The at-risk portion of a claim that is deducted and withheld by the health plan before payment is made to a participating physician as an incentive for appropriate utilization and quality of care. PEC Pre-Existing Condition

PET Pharm-D PHO PI P&L PMG PMPM PMPY POA POS PPO PPRC PPS PRO Any medical condition that has been diagnosed or treated within a specified period immediately preceding the covered person s effective date of coverage under the master group contract Positron Emission Tomography Doctor of Pharmacy Physician-Hospital Organization A legal entity formed and owned by one or more hospitals and physician groups in order to obtain payor contracts and to further mutual interests. Performance Improvement Profit and Loss Primary Medical Group Per Member Per Month The unit of measure related to each effective member for each month the member was effective. The calculation is: #of units/members months (MM). Per Member Per Year Present on Admission Point of Service (or Point of Sale) A health plan allowing the covered person to choose to receive a service from a participating or non-participating provider, with different benefit levels associated with the use of participating providers. Preferred Provider Organization A program in which contracts are established with providers of medical care Providers under such contracts are referred to as preferred providers. Usually, the benefit contract provides significantly better benefits for services received from preferred providers, thus encouraging covered persons to use these providers. Covered persons are generally allowed benefits for non-participating providers services, usually on an indemnity basis with significant copayments. A PPO arrangement can be insured or self-funded. Providers may be, but are not necessarily, paid on a discounted fee-for-service basis. Physician Payment Review Commission A bipartisan congressional advisory group established in 1986 to advise Congress on setting Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. In 1990, the PPRC s responsibilities were expanded to include other payment policy issues. Prospective Payment System Professional (or Peer) Review Organization A physician-sponsored organization charged with reviewing the services provided patients. The purpose of the review is to determine if the services rendered are medically necessary; provided in accordance with professional criteria, norms and standards; and provided in the appropriate setting. ProPAC Prospective Payment Assessment Commission

A federal commission established under the Social Security Act amendments of 1983 to advise and assist Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services in maintaining and updating the Medicare prospective payment system. PsyD, LCP Doctor of Psychology, Licensed Clinical Psychologist P&T Pharmacy and Therapeutics An organization panel of physicians from varying practice specialties that function as an advisory panel to the plan regarding the safe and effective use of prescription medications. PT Physical Therapy Q QA/QI Quality Assurance (Same as PI) A formal set of activities to review and affect the quality of services provided. QIO Quality Improvement Organization QM Quality Management QMB Qualified Medicare Beneficiary A person whose income falls below 100% of federal poverty guidelines, for whom the state must pay the Medicare Part B premiums, deductibles and copayments R R&C Reasonable and Customary A term used to refer to the commonly charged or prevailing fees for health services within a geographic area. A fee is considered to be reasonable if it falls within the parameters of the average or commonly charged fee for the particular service within that specific community. RBRVS Resource Based Relative Value Scale A fee schedule introduced by HCFA to reimburse physicians Medicare fees based on the amount of time and resources expended in treating patients, with adjustments for overhead costs and geographical differences. Retro Retrospective Rate Derivation An addendum to insurance coverage that provides for risk sharing with the employer being responsible for all or part of that risk The employer can be at risk for a pre-negotiated percentage of the group s health care cost in excess of total premium dollars paid by the employer during the contract year. The carrier may also be required to refund to the employer a prenegotiated percentage of premium dollars paid if actual health care cost of the group are less than the premium dollars paid during the contract year. RFP Request For Proposal

RMC Rating Method Code RN Registered Nurse S SCIP SCR SIC SJIM SMI SNF SPD SPIN SSI SVC Surgical Care Improvement Project Standard Class Rate A base revenue requirement on a per member or per employee basis, multiplied by group demographic information to calculate monthly premium rates. Standard Industry Code St. Joseph Internal Medicine Supplementary Medical Insurance Program Skilled Nursing Facility A facility, either freestanding or part of a hospital, that accepts patients in need of rehabilitation and medical care that is of a lesser intensity than that received in a hospital. Summary Plan Description A description of the entire benefits package available to an employee as required to be given to persons covered by self-funded plans. Standard Prescriber Identification Number Under development by the National Council of Prescription Drug Programs in conjunction with other professional organizations; this standard number could be used to identify prescribers. Surgical Site Infection Service T TAT Turnaround Time The measure of a process cycle from the date a transaction is received to the date completed. For claims processing, it would be the number of calendar days from the date a claim is received to the date paid. TCAB Transforming Care at the Bedside TEFRA Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act The federal law which created the current risk and cost contract provisions under which health plans contract with HCFA and which defined the primary and secondary coverage responsibilities of the Medicare program. TJC The Joint Commission TPA Third Party Administrator An independent person or corporate entity (third party) that administers group benefits, claims and administration for a self-insured company/group A TPA does not underwrite the risk.

U U&C Usual and Customary UB-92 Uniform Billing Code of 1992 A revised version of the UB-82, a federal directive requiring a hospital to follow specific billing procedures, itemizing all services included and billed for on each invoice, which was implemented October 1, 1993. UCR Usual, Customary and Reasonable A term used to refer to the commonly charged or prevailing fees for health services within a geographic area. A fee is considered to be reasonable if it falls within the parameters of the average or commonly charged fee for the particular service within that specific community. UM Utilization Management A process of integrating review and case management of services in a cooperative effort with other parties, including patients, employers, providers and payors UPIN Universal Physician Identification Number UR Utilization Review A formal assessment of the medical necessity, efficiency, and/or appropriateness of health care services and treatment plans on a prospective, concurrent or retrospective basis. USCCB United States Conference of Catholic Bishops V VAP VBP VE VP Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Value Based Purchasing Voluntary Effort Vice President W WEDI Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange A task force formed in 1991 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop recommendations for government and industry relating to the advancement of electronic data in health care. Y YTD Year-To-Date

Glossary alienation allocation apostolate Apostolic See canon law canonical Sponsorship decree dicastery / dicasteries diocesan bishop ecclesiastical goods ecumenical council The transfer of ownership or significant encumbrance of church property (or temporal goods of the church) to someone else. Property owned by public juridic persons in the church is ecclesiastical goods and can be alienated only with the necessary authorization to protect the patrimony of the public juridic person. Canon Law also requires this authorization for any transaction that could endanger the patrimony of the juridic person. A formal speech or address Any activity performed in Christ s name that helps people share the life of grace or improve their temporal well-being (e.g., preaching, teaching, and caring for the sick and the poor). See Holy See. See Code of Canon Law. See sponsorship. A written statement approving of something: appointing someone to something; giving an honor; promulgating something such as a new law. These are departments or offices in Vatican City through which the Roman Pontiff (Pope) usually conducts the business of the universal Church. At this moment in time, the health care pontifical public juridic persons in the United States are accountable to the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life which is a dicastery. Term used in the current Code of Canon Law to designate the bishop who governs a particular diocese. The earlier Code of Canon Law used the term local ordinary to describe this position. See church property. A meeting of bishops led by the pope to renew church life through instruction, admonition, or legislation.

ecumenism eisegesis Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services exegesis Official Catholic Directory pastoral care Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers preferential option for the poor private juridic person A movement toward better understanding and even union among various churches and religions. An approach to Scripture interpretation where the interpreter tries to force the Scripture text to mean something that fits their existing belief or understanding of a particular issue or doctrine; i.e., private interpretation of Sacred Scripture Sometimes referred to as the Directives or ETDs. The norms for Catholic health care facilities approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as the national code, subject to the interpretation of the diocesan bishop, for use in his diocese. The purpose of the Directives is to ensure that spiritual service and medical practice of Catholic-sponsored health facilities are in accord with Catholic Church teachings. They are not the sum and substance of the Catholic moral tradition. Critical study, explanation, interpretation of a text; i.e., a sacred scripture passage. This directory is sometimes referred to as the Kenedy Directory because it is published in New Jersey by P.J. Kenedy and Sons Publishing Company. If you are listed in this book the IRS automatically gives you tax exemption. This directory is published annually, the entities are listed within a particular diocese/archdiocese and who gets into this directory is controlled by each diocese/archdiocese. The discipline that promotes an individual s understanding of the relationship between physical health and spiritual wholeness by directing that person through self-discovery and transition and applying sound spiritual and psychological direction. This Vatican agency was founded to provide educational support for the sick and those caring for them. They focus on three areas of development: the word, sanctification, and communion. The consideration of the poor when making important decisions; helping the poor personally and socially. See juridic person.

public juridic person rescript religious institute reserved powers Roman pontiff social justice synod of bishops temporal goods Tradition United States Conference of Catholic Bishops See juridic person. Response to a request. A collegial public juridic person, properly recognized by the competent ecclesiastical authority, consisting of individual members who live a common life and take temporary, then perpetual, vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in accordance with the institute s constitutions. In a membership corporation, the powers that the corporate members keep for their own exercise and do not delegate to others. The name used in the Code of Canon Law to refer to the pope. The right ordering of social relationships such that individuals fulfill their obligation to participate actively and productively in society, and society fulfills its obligation to ensure the conditions that enable people to participate fully. Racism and vast differences in the distribution of resources among groups are examples of social injustice. A meeting of selected bishops held about every three years under the direction of the pope to counsel on specific pastoral problems (e.g., family life, social justice, and priestly life). See church property. A body of religious belief, practices and rituals; e.g., writings of the Church Fathers, the Eucharistic Liturgy, defined dogmas of the roman Catholic Church The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the United States. Vatican A general meeting of Roman Catholic bishops who met to renew Council II the Catholic Church. The meeting was held from 1963 to 1965 under the leadership and jurisdiction of Popes John XXIII and Paul V in Vatican City. The teachings of the Second Vatican Council (sometimes called Vatican Council II or Vatican II) are contained in 16 conciliar documents (The Document of Vatican Council II).

votum witness An opinion. The adherence through word and deed to the person of Jesus Christ, resulting in a living out of the truth and values identified with him (e.g., witnessing to the value of caring for the sick); influence or impact on others that may result from witnessing to Christ or to the truth and values associated with him.