Crohn’s & Colitis Glossary

Mucosal healing

A type of remission (absence of active disease) as seen during a colonoscopy (e.g., no ulcers and no bleeding).

Mucosal lining

The inner lining of the small intestine.

Nutrients

Substances that the body needs to live and grow, such as vitamins, proteins, fats,

and carbohydrates

Open Enrollment Period

The annual period when people can enroll in or make changes to their insurance coverage. Typically, open enrollment occurs yearly in from November–December but is important to know when your employer's period occurs. Outside of open enrollment, individuals may be eligible to enroll in a health insurance plan during a Special Enrollment Period if they have a qualifying life event (change in household, residence, or loss of healthcare coverage).

Out-of-Pocket Maximum

The most you pay before your health insurance plan begins to pay 100 percent of the cost for in-network services. This limit never includes your premium or care that your plan doesn't cover. Health insurance plans count all in-network copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance payments to this limit.

Over-the-counter

Medications that can be bought without a prescription.

Parenteral nutrition

Nutritional supplementation method where nutrients and calories are delivered through an IV directly into your veins.

Peer-to-Peer Review

A scheduled phone conversation during which an ordering physician discusses the need for a procedure or drug with a physician represnting the health insurance company to obtain a prior authorization approval or appeal a previously denied prior authorization.

Perforation

An abnormal opening in the bowel wall that allows bowel contents to escape or leak into another area of the abdomen. This will require immediate surgical intervention.

Perianal

Located around the anus.