Definitions for "First-Dollar Coverage"
A term generally applied to medical expense policies that pay covered expenses from the first dollar up to specified limits, without the use of deductibles or waiting periods. The term often is used to describe basic hospital expense insurance that has benefits payable starting with the first dollar of medical expense and from the time the first such expense is incurred.
Applies to items that are covered under Aetna HealthFund but not subject to the plan's deductible or deducted from the health fund. Items that may be covered in this way include preventive care such as annual physicals, well-child visits and mammograms (actual coverages vary by employer).
Coverage for services in which the beneficiary pays no deductible, although a copayment or coinsurance may be required.