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Fluent, Reach and Voice · Glossary
The money, healthcare and local-government words that come up in our sessions and guides, each explained in a sentence or two, with a link to the official explanation. For people at a session and the hosts who run them.
Each word is explained in general terms. Where a word or system belongs to one country, the country is named next to it, and nothing here applies everywhere unless it says so. The official explanation is always the one to rely on: rules change, and they differ by country, state and province. This is general information, never advice about your own situation.
moraph.org/commons/words · Checked 21 October 2026
The list of items a meeting will discuss, in order. Councils usually publish it, with the reports behind each item, before the meeting.
Official source: City of Belle Isle, Florida; Department for Communities and Local Government (GOV.UK)
Related: Minutes, Public comment, Quorum
For records requests, often first an internal review.
Asking for a decision to be looked at again. You can ask a health insurer to review a refusal to pay, or ask a public body to review a refused records request, then go to an independent reviewer such as an information commissioner.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States); GOV.UK; Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Related: Information commissioner, Freedom of information request, Prior authorization, Ombudsman
Annual percentage rate. Australia uses a similar comparison rate.
The yearly cost of borrowing as a percentage: the interest rate plus the fees charged with the loan. It shows more of the true cost than the interest rate alone. In India, a loan’s Key Facts Statement shows it.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States); Australian Securities and Investments Commission; Reserve Bank of India
Related: Key Facts Statement, Payday loan
Often part of a “surprise bill”.
When a provider bills you for the difference between their charge and the amount your plan allows. The US No Surprises Act protects people from many unexpected out-of-network bills, such as for emergency room visits.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States); Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (United States)
Related: Good faith estimate
Barangays are one of the Philippines’ local government units (LGUs), with provinces, cities and municipalities.
The smallest unit of local government in the Philippines, which plans and carries out government programs in its community.
Official source: Local Government Academy, Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines); Province of Iloilo (Philippines)
Money or other help from government, such as financial assistance or health care, for people who qualify. Official benefit finders and calculators help you check what you might be entitled to, free.
Official source: USAGov (United States); GOV.UK; Government of Canada
Related: Tax credit, Medicaid
The Debt Respite Scheme.
A scheme that gives someone in problem debt legal protection from action by their creditors for up to 60 days. The person must live or usually reside in England or Wales.
Official source: The Insolvency Service (GOV.UK)
Related: Debt collector, Ombudsman
A plan for the money coming in and going out. A household budget plans your spending and saving. A public budget sets out what a government plans to raise and spend, usually for a year.
Official source: Sorted (Retirement Commission, New Zealand); Government Accountability Office (United States)
Related: Emergency fund, Participatory budgeting, Fiscal year, Property tax
When a doctor or other provider accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment and bills Medicare directly, so an eligible patient pays nothing out of pocket for that service.
Official source: healthdirect Australia (Australian Government)
Related: Medicare (Australia), Gap
Also spelled by-law or byelaw. In US cities, an ordinance.
A local law made by a council for its area, requiring something to be done or not done, with a penalty for breaking it. US city ordinances are the most permanent and binding form of council action.
Official source: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (GOV.UK); City of Kirkland, Washington
Related: Resolution, Council
Also called an executive session or in camera. In England, a meeting closed for exempt information.
Part of a council meeting held without the public, allowed only for certain confidential matters, such as some property, staff or legal issues. Rules on what can be discussed in private differ by country.
Official source: City of Kirkland, Washington; Department for Communities and Local Government (GOV.UK)
Your share of the cost of a covered service as a percentage, say 20 percent, rather than a fixed amount. It usually starts once you have paid your deductible.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States)
Related: Copayment, Deductible, Out-of-pocket maximum
A small group of members of a council or parliament that looks at one subject, such as health or transport, in detail. Parliamentary committees often invite the public to send views.
Official source: Scottish Parliament; House of Commons (Canada)
Related: Submission, Council, Member of Parliament
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are one kind.
A clinic that serves areas with few health services. US federally qualified health centers provide primary care whatever your ability to pay, with fees on a sliding scale based on what you can pay.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States)
Related: GP and primary care, Financial assistance, Medicaid
When a government or council asks the public for views on a plan or policy before deciding. Consultations are meant to happen while the plan is still taking shape, and responses are taken into account.
Official source: Cabinet Office (GOV.UK)
Related: Submission, Public comment
Also called a copay or co-payment.
A fixed amount you pay toward a covered service, such as a doctor visit, a prescription or a day in hospital, with your plan paying the rest.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States); Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Australia)
Related: Coinsurance, Deductible, Prescription charge
Its elected members are councillors, or council members in the US.
The elected body that runs local government for an area, such as a county, district or city. The full council is responsible for decisions; much of the work is done by smaller groups of councillors and by paid staff.
Official source: GOV.UK
Also called a credit reporting company or agency. In the UK, a credit reference agency.
A company that collects information about how people use credit and sells credit reports to lenders. It creates your report when you first borrow or apply for credit.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States); Information Commissioner’s Office (UK); Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Related: Credit report, Credit score, Fraud alert
Also called a security freeze.
A block you can place on your credit file so that lenders can’t see it, which stops new accounts being opened in your name, including by you, until you lift it.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States)
Related: Fraud alert, Identity theft, Credit report
Your credit file or credit history.
A record of how you have used credit, such as loans and cards, whether you paid on time and what you owe. Credit bureaus keep it, and lenders look at it when you apply for credit. You have the right to dispute errors.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States): What is a credit report?, How do I dispute an error on my credit report?; Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Related: Credit score, Credit bureau, Credit freeze, Identity theft
A number worked out from the information in your credit reports that predicts how likely you are to repay on time.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States); Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Related: Credit report, Credit bureau
A not-for-profit financial institution owned and controlled by its members. Like a bank, it takes deposits, makes loans and offers other financial services.
Official source: National Credit Union Administration (MyCreditUnion.gov)
Related: Deposit insurance, Overdraft
When a debt is “in collections”, a debt collector is trying to recover it.
A person or company, such as a collection agency or lawyer, whose business is collecting debts owed to someone else.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States)
Related: Credit report
The amount you pay yourself for covered care each year before your health plan starts to pay. After that, you usually pay only a copayment or coinsurance.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States)
Related: Excess, Copayment, Coinsurance, Out-of-pocket maximum
Protection for money you keep in a licensed bank or credit union: if it fails, a public scheme pays depositors back, up to a limit. Examples are the FDIC (US), FSCS (UK), CDIC (Canada), Financial Claims Scheme (Australia), DICGC (India) and PDIC (Philippines).
Official source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (United States); Financial Services Compensation Scheme (UK); Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation; Australian Prudential Regulation Authority; Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (India); Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation
Related: Credit union
Money set aside only for unplanned costs or emergencies, such as a car or home repair, a medical bill or a drop in income.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States)
Related: Budget
In Australian private hospital insurance, an agreed amount you pay toward a hospital stay under your policy before the insurer pays. Policies with no excess usually have higher premiums.
Official source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Australia): Out of pocket costs, What private health insurance covers
Related: Deductible, Premium, Gap
Withheld information is often redacted: blacked out.
A reason the law allows a public body to withhold information from a records request, such as personal privacy, national security or law enforcement. The rest is released, with the exempt parts blacked out.
Official source: FOIA.gov (US Department of Justice)
Related: Freedom of information request, FOIA, Appeal
A statement from your health plan after you get care, showing the total charges, how much the plan covers and what you may owe. It is not a bill: compare it with the bill when that arrives.
Official source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (United States)
Related: Itemized bill
Sometimes called charity care.
Help with a hospital bill, from a discount to free care, for patients who qualify. In the US, tax-exempt hospitals must publish a financial assistance policy saying who is eligible and how to apply.
Official source: Internal Revenue Service (United States); Connecticut Office of Health Strategy (United States)
Related: Itemized bill, Community health center, Medicaid
The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. It may not match the calendar year: the US federal fiscal year, for example, runs from 1 October to 30 September.
Official source: USAGov (United States)
Related: Budget
Freedom of Information Act.
The US law that, since 1967, gives the public the right to ask any federal agency for its records. Generally anyone can make a FOIA request.
Official source: FOIA.gov (US Department of Justice)
Related: Freedom of information request, Exemption
Also called a drug list.
The list of prescription medicines a health plan covers.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States)
Related: Generic medicine, Prior authorization, PBS
A note on your credit report that tells businesses to check it is really you, usually by contacting you, before they open new credit in your name. Unlike a credit freeze, it doesn’t stop them seeing your report.
Official source: Federal Trade Commission (United States)
Related: Credit freeze, Identity theft
Also called a public records request. In India, a right to information (RTI) application; in New Zealand, an Official Information Act (OIA) request; in Canada, an access to information request.
A written request to a public body for information it holds. Many countries give people this right by law, with some exceptions.
Official source: GOV.UK; Department of Internal Affairs (New Zealand); RTI Online (Government of India); Government of Canada
Related: FOIA, Exemption, Appeal, Information commissioner
Also called a gap payment or out-of-pocket cost.
The difference between what a doctor charges and what Medicare and any private insurer pay. Some doctors have arrangements with insurers that reduce or remove it.
Official source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Australia); healthdirect Australia (Australian Government)
Related: Bulk billing, Out-of-pocket costs, Medicare (Australia)
Also called a generic drug.
A medicine with the same active ingredient as a brand-name medicine, which works the same way. Generics usually cost less. Regulators hold them to the same quality standards.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States); Health Canada; Pharmac (New Zealand)
A written estimate of what care will cost. US providers usually must give one to people who are uninsured or paying for themselves, when they schedule care in advance or ask for one.
Official source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (United States)
Related: Balance billing, Itemized bill
GP stands for general practitioner. US plans say primary care provider.
The family doctor or clinic you see first for health needs that aren’t an emergency, who can refer you on. In the UK and New Zealand you register or enrol with a general practice.
Official source: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora; NHS (England); HealthCare.gov (United States)
Related: Referral, Health advice line, Community health center
A free phone or online service where nurses or other clinicians help you decide what to do and where to go when you are unwell. Examples are NHS 111 in England, healthdirect in Australia and Healthline in New Zealand.
Official source: NHS (England); healthdirect Australia (Australian Government); Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Related: GP and primary care, Telehealth
Proof of your provincial or territorial health insurance.
In Canada, each province and territory runs its own public health insurance plan. The health card shows you are registered in that plan; you apply for one, or update it, through your provincial or territorial government.
Official source: Health Canada: Health cards, About Canada’s health care system
Related: GP and primary care
When someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission, for example to open accounts or borrow in your name.
Official source: USAGov (United States); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States)
Related: Fraud alert, Credit freeze, Phishing
Also spelled imposter. Includes government and bank impersonation.
A scam where someone pretends to be from a government agency, a bank or another official organization to get you to send money or share account details.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States)
Related: Phishing, One-time code
An independent official who oversees the right to get information from government, and can review complaints when a public body refuses or doesn’t answer a request. Examples are the ICO (UK), the Information Commissioner of Canada and the OAIC (Australia).
Official source: Information Commissioner’s Office (UK); Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada; Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Related: Appeal, Freedom of information request, Ombudsman, Right of access
Spelled “itemised” in British English.
A bill that lists each service and supply separately, line by line, instead of one total. If you have questions about a hospital bill, you can ask for one and check each line.
Official source: Connecticut Office of Health Strategy (United States)
Related: Explanation of benefits (EOB), Financial assistance
KFS.
A short summary of a loan’s key terms in plain, standard language, which lenders in India must give borrowers. It includes the annual percentage rate.
Official source: Reserve Bank of India
Related: APR, Payday loan
Also called the exchange.
The official US service for shopping for and enrolling in health insurance, which also tells you whether you qualify for lower premiums, Medicaid or CHIP. Most states use HealthCare.gov; some run their own.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States)
Related: Premium
A US program that gives free or low-cost health coverage to some people on low incomes, families and children, pregnant women, older people and people with disabilities. Rules differ by state.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States)
Related: Medicare (United States), Marketplace
Australia’s universal public health insurance scheme. It gives Australians, and some overseas visitors, a wide range of health and hospital services at low or no cost. Not the same as Medicare in the United States.
Official source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Australia)
Related: Bulk billing, Gap, PBS, Medicare (United States)
The US federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, some younger people with disabilities, and people with permanent kidney failure. Not the same as Medicare in Australia.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States)
Related: Medicaid, Medicare (Australia)
MP.
A person elected to represent a constituency, or area, in a national parliament, where members consider and vote on laws.
Official source: House of Commons (Canada); Australian Electoral Commission
The smallest amount you must pay on a credit card bill by the due date. Paying only the minimum means paying more interest, and it can take years to clear the balance.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States): Credit card contract definitions, If I pay a certain amount, will I pay off my balance in three years?
Related: APR
The written record of a meeting, including the decisions made. Councils publish them, so you can check what was decided after a meeting you couldn’t attend.
Official source: City of Belle Isle, Florida; GOV.UK
Related: Agenda, Motion, Resolution
False information shared without meaning to cause harm. Disinformation is false information spread deliberately to mislead or manipulate.
Official source: Canadian Centre for Cyber Security; Government of Canada
Related: Nonpartisan, Impostor scam, Phishing
A formal proposal that the council or board take an action. One member makes it, and it usually needs another member to second it.
Official source: City of Belle Isle, Florida
Related: Resolution, Quorum, Minutes
Australia’s national online record that keeps your key health information, such as test results, prescriptions and hospital summaries, where you and your healthcare providers can see it.
Official source: Australian Digital Health Agency
Related: Patient portal, Right of access
Also spelled non-partisan.
Not supporting or opposing any political party or candidate. Election agencies such as Elections Canada are independent and nonpartisan, and so are our Voice sessions.
Official source: Elections Canada
Related: Register to vote, Misinformation
A free, independent service that looks into complaints you haven’t been able to settle with an organization. Some cover councils and government agencies, such as in England and New Zealand; others cover banks, such as India’s RBI Ombudsman.
Official source: Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (England); Govt.nz (New Zealand); Reserve Bank of India
Related: Appeal, Information commissioner, Breathing Space
Also called a one-time passcode or OTP.
A short code sent to your phone or email to confirm it is you. Never share it with anyone who contacts you, even if they say they are from your bank or a government agency.
Official source: Scamwatch (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission); Stop Think Fraud (UK Government)
Related: Two-factor authentication, Phishing, Impostor scam
What you pay for care yourself and don’t get back from insurance or a public scheme: deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, plus anything that isn’t covered at all.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States); Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Australia)
Related: Out-of-pocket maximum, Gap, Copayment
Also called an out-of-pocket limit.
The most you have to pay for covered services in a plan year. Once your deductible, copayments and coinsurance reach it, the plan pays the full cost of covered in-network care. Premiums don’t count toward it.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States)
Related: Out-of-pocket costs, Deductible
When you don’t have enough money in your account for a payment and the bank pays it anyway. You owe the bank the amount, and it may also charge an overdraft fee.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (United States)
Related: Unauthorized transaction, Credit union
Local self-government at village level in India. Towns and cities have municipalities and municipal corporations instead.
Official source: Ministry of Panchayati Raj (India)
A process in which residents vote to decide directly how part of a public budget is spent.
Official source: City of Cambridge, Massachusetts
Related: Budget, Consultation
A secure website or app from your clinic or hospital where you can often book appointments, message your provider and see test results and some of your health records.
Official source: Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (United States)
Related: Telehealth, Right of access, My Health Record, Two-factor authentication
A short-term, high-cost loan, usually for a small amount, that is due in one payment on your next payday. Rolling it over means paying a fee to delay repayment, and the fee doesn’t reduce what you owe.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States): What is a payday loan?, What does it mean to renew or roll over a payday loan?
Related: APR, Key Facts Statement
Pay As You Earn.
The system UK employers and pension providers use to take Income Tax and National Insurance from your pay or pension before you receive it.
Official source: HM Revenue and Customs (GOV.UK)
Related: Tax return, Tax refund
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
The Australian Government scheme that subsidizes the cost of listed medicines for most medical conditions, so that necessary medicines are affordable.
Official source: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (Australian Government)
Related: Medicare (Australia), Generic medicine
Te Pātaka Whaioranga.
The New Zealand government agency that decides which medicines and related products are publicly funded.
Official source: Pharmac (New Zealand): About Pharmac, Generic medicines
Related: Generic medicine, Prescription charge
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
The government corporation that runs the Philippines’ National Health Insurance Program, set up to give health insurance coverage and affordable care to all citizens.
Official source: PhilHealth (Philippines)
When criminals use scam emails, texts or calls to trick you into giving away personal information, such as passwords or bank details, or into visiting a harmful website.
Official source: National Cyber Security Centre (UK); Scamwatch (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission)
Related: Impostor scam, One-time code, Two-factor authentication
Also called an election worker.
A person who helps run voting, for example setting up the polling place, welcoming voters, checking registrations and handing out ballots. Your election office says how to apply.
Official source: Election Assistance Commission (United States)
Related: Register to vote, Nonpartisan
The amount you pay to have health insurance, usually every month, whether or not you use any care. What you pay when you do get care, such as a deductible or copayment, comes on top.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States); Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Australia)
Related: Deductible, Copayment, Excess
The NHS charge in England for each item on a prescription, unless you qualify for free prescriptions. A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) covers all your NHS prescriptions for a set period, which can cost less if you need many.
Official source: NHS (England): NHS prescription charges, Save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)
Related: Copayment, Generic medicine
Also called preauthorization or prior approval.
Approval from your health plan that may be needed before you get a service or fill a prescription, for it to be covered. Getting it is not a promise that the plan will pay.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States): Prior authorization, Preauthorization
In the UK, Council Tax. In Australia, rates.
A local tax based on the value of homes and other property, which helps pay for local services. In England, Council Tax depends on your home’s valuation band; in New South Wales, councils must by law collect rates.
Official source: Eureka County, Nevada; GOV.UK; Kempsey Shire Council (New South Wales)
A public hearing is a meeting held to hear public comment, for example on a budget or plan.
Time set aside, or a process, for members of the public to give their views to a council or agency, in person or in writing. US federal agencies must take public comments on proposed rules and respond to them.
Official source: City of Kirkland, Washington; National Archives, Office of the Federal Register (United States)
Related: Agenda, Consultation, Submission
The smallest number of members who must be present for a council or board to do official business.
Official source: City of Kirkland, Washington
A written request from your primary care doctor for you to see a specialist or get certain services. Some US plans won’t pay for specialist care without one.
Official source: HealthCare.gov (United States)
Related: GP and primary care
In Australia and New Zealand, enrol to vote.
Getting your name on the official list of voters, so that you can vote. Your official election office explains how and by when; in Australia, enrolling is compulsory for eligible citizens.
Official source: GOV.UK; Australian Electoral Commission; USAGov (United States)
Related: Poll worker, Nonpartisan
A formal decision a council adopts to state its policy or to direct the staff to take certain action. It is usually less permanent than a local law.
Official source: City of Kirkland, Washington
In the UK, a subject access request (SAR). In the US, your HIPAA right of access.
Your right to ask an organization for copies of the personal information it holds about you, including your health records. The rules on timing and cost differ by country.
Official source: Information Commissioner’s Office (UK); Department of Health and Human Services (United States); Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Related: Patient portal, My Health Record, Freedom of information request
In Canada, a written submission to a parliamentary committee is called a brief.
A written statement of your views on a council or government matter, sent in during a consultation. New Zealand councils, for example, invite submissions on their plans.
Official source: Porirua City Council (New Zealand); House of Commons (Canada)
Related: Consultation, Committee, Public comment
An amount taken off the tax you owe. Some credits are refundable, so they can pay you money even if you owe no tax. In the US, the Earned Income Tax Credit helps workers on low to moderate incomes.
Official source: Internal Revenue Service (United States): Credits and deductions for individuals, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Related: Tax return, Tax refund, Benefits
Money you get back when you have paid more tax during the year than you owe. In the US you must file a tax return to get one.
Official source: Internal Revenue Service (United States)
Related: Tax return, Tax credit
In Australia, you lodge a tax return; elsewhere you file one.
The form you complete for your tax authority, usually once a year, about your income and tax. In the US you must file one to get a refund. In Australia you lodge it, or check whether you need to.
Official source: Australian Taxation Office; Internal Revenue Service (United States)
Related: Tax refund, Tax credit, PAYE
Also called telemedicine, or a video appointment.
Seeing a health care provider without going to their office: by video or phone call, or by sending secure messages.
Official source: Department of Health and Human Services (United States)
Related: Patient portal, Health advice line
Also called multi-factor authentication (MFA), two-step verification or 2FA.
A way of signing in that asks for two or more proofs that it is you, such as a password plus a code or an app on your phone, so a stolen password alone isn’t enough.
Official source: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (United States); Get Cyber Safe (Government of Canada)
Related: One-time code, Patient portal, Phishing
A charge or withdrawal from your account that you didn’t make or allow. In the US, how much you could lose can depend on how quickly you tell your bank or credit union.
Official source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (United States)
Related: Phishing, Identity theft, One-time code
Many US cities use council districts in the same way.
An area of a city or district that elects its own councillor or councillors.
Official source: Renfrewshire Council (Scotland); Census Bureau (United States)
Related: Council
The same words, grouped by the session program that uses them.
Official sources
Every definition here is supported by one of these official pages, from governments, regulators and public bodies in the countries our sessions cover. Each was opened and checked on 21 October 2026. If a definition no longer matches what they say, they are right. Tell us at hello@moraph.org.
For free official help in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and the Philippines, see free help by country.
Last reviewed October 2026
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Fluent, Reach and Voice sessions are taught free by Moraph people and vetted volunteers, with nothing to sell. The session kits are free for anyone to teach.