Plain-language glossary
Short explanations for tests, terms, and billing language—written for patients and attenders.
Short, careful explanations for billing words, common tests, and paperwork types. Use it like a neighbourhood dictionary—alongside your real documents and what your doctor or billing team tells you.
Cancer care & infection
Febrile neutropenia (fever with low infection-fighting cells)
After some cancer treatments, blood counts can drop and fever may need urgent evaluation. Bills may include emergency assessment, blood cultures, antibiotics, and monitoring. The medical urgency is for your care team to...
Cancer care billing
Chemotherapy daycare / daycare unit
Many hospitals run day units where chemotherapy or supportive infusions are given without an overnight stay. Typical lines include chemotherapy drugs, pre-medications (for example anti-nausea medicines), IV access or lin...
Cancer diagnostics
Tumor marker tests and biopsy processing
Tumor markers and biopsies help oncology teams plan treatment. Bills may list laboratory processing, pathology review, imaging guidance, or separate facility and professional fees. Ask billing to point to the matching r...
Critical care
Critical care / specialty intensive daily charges
Hospitals may bill “critical care” or similar labels to reflect high-intensity nursing and monitoring—not a comment on how you feel subjectively. If the category is unclear, ask which dates carried that level and how th...
Hospital charges
Consumables
Consumables are disposable supplies like gloves, syringes, and dressings used during care. If a consumable charge feels unclear, ask for an itemized list of what was included in that bundle.
Hospital charges
Room rent / ward charges
Room charges usually reflect the category of room (for example general ward vs private room) and may include associated nursing support. Ask for the room category actually used each day and confirm how per-day rates wer...
Insurance terms
Copay / deductible (insurance)
A copay is a fixed amount you may pay for a covered service under your policy. A deductible is an amount you pay before insurance starts paying for certain benefits, depending on your plan. Compare your insurer's approv...
Laboratory tests
Blood glucose / blood sugar test
A blood glucose test measures sugar levels in your blood. It is commonly used around surgery, during infections, when medications may affect glucose, and for diabetes monitoring. If you were not expecting this test, ask...
Laboratory tests
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A CBC is a common blood test that measures several parts of your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It helps clinicians look for signs of infection, anemia, and other conditions. On a bi...
Pediatric & critical care
JMML (juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia)
JMML is a rare serious blood condition in young children. Families may see long stays, transfusions, antibiotics, marrow-related tests, and imaging on bills. Some people type “JJML” by mistake when searching—double-chec...
Pediatric & critical care
PICU (pediatric intensive care unit)
The PICU provides intensive monitoring and treatment for very sick children. Bills often separate room or bed category, monitoring equipment, nursing intensity, ventilation or oxygen if used, medicines, and laboratory te...