a portion of provider fees or capitation payments withheld as financial reserves to cover unanticipated utilization of services in an alternative benefit plan.

A pool of money that is at risk for being used for defined expenses. Commonly, if the pool money that is put at risk is not expended by the end of the year, some or all of it is returned to those managing the risk. Two different definitions  are in use: 1) A pool of funds set aside as reserves to be used for defined expenses. Under capitation, if all of the risk pool is not used by the end of the contract year, it is usually disseminated to participating providers, and, 2) Legislatively created programs that group individuals who cannot secure coverage in the private market. Funding comes from government or assessment on insurers.

a method used by insurance companies to reduce their exposure to sudden and severe losses caused by large-scale catastrophic events

Funds are set aside to cover over-utilization or to encourage limits on utilization. More commonly seen for primary care rather than specialty care.

a state-created, nonprofit association that -- in most states -- does not require tax dollars for its operational purposes

Money held in reserve for provider payments.