Plain language
Glossary A to Z
36 terms you'll meet on Medicare forms, tax relief letters and care plans, explained in a sentence or two.
- ADRC
- Aging and Disability Resource Connection. New Jersey's network of county offices on aging. Statewide number 1-877-222-3737.
- ANCHOR
- Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters. A yearly property tax benefit for homeowners and renters.
- Annual Wellness Visit
- A yearly Medicare visit to make or update a prevention plan. It costs nothing if your doctor accepts Medicare.
- Area Agency on Aging
- The county office that plans and funds services for older residents, such as meals, rides and caregiver help.
- Assisted living
- Housing with help for daily tasks like bathing and medications, but less medical care than a nursing home.
- COLA
- Cost-of-living adjustment. The yearly raise in Social Security benefits. It is 3.6% for 2027.
- Copay
- A fixed amount you pay for a covered service or prescription, such as $5 for a generic drug under PAAD.
- Creditable coverage
- Health or drug coverage at least as good as Medicare's. Having it lets you delay enrolling without a penalty.
- Deductible
- What you pay each year before your plan starts paying. The 2026 Medicare Part B deductible is $283.
- Durable power of attorney
- A legal document naming someone to handle your finances if you can't. It stays valid if you lose capacity.
- Extra Help
- A federal program that lowers Medicare Part D drug costs for people with limited income. Also called the Low Income Subsidy.
- Formulary
- A plan's list of covered drugs, usually sorted into tiers with different costs.
- Inheritance tax
- A New Jersey tax on what some heirs receive. Spouses, children and grandchildren (Class A) are exempt.
- Initial Enrollment Period
- The seven-month window around your 65th birthday when you can first sign up for Medicare.
- Lifeline
- A New Jersey utility benefit of $225 a year for people who qualify for PAAD.
- LIHEAP
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Federal help with heating and cooling bills.
- Look-back period
- The five years before a Medicaid application when gifts and transfers are reviewed.
- Medicaid
- Health coverage for people with low income and assets. In New Jersey it is called NJ FamilyCare.
- Medicare Advantage
- Also called Part C. Private plans that replace Original Medicare, usually with networks and extra benefits.
- Medicare Savings Program
- State programs that pay Medicare premiums and sometimes copays for people with limited income.
- Medigap
- Supplement insurance sold by private companies that pays some costs Original Medicare doesn't.
- MLTSS
- Managed Long Term Services and Supports. NJ FamilyCare's program for long-term care at home or in a facility.
- Open enrollment
- October 15 to December 7, when anyone on Medicare can change plans for the next year.
- Original Medicare
- Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical), run by the federal government. You can see any doctor who takes Medicare.
- PAAD
- Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled. Cuts prescription copays to $5 or $7.
- PACE
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Day center based care that covers medical and support services.
- Part D
- Medicare prescription drug coverage, sold by private plans.
- PAS-1
- The single New Jersey application for ANCHOR, Senior Freeze and Stay NJ.
- POLST
- Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. A medical order, signed with your clinician, that records your wishes.
- Respite care
- Short-term care that gives a family caregiver a break.
- Senior Freeze
- New Jersey's Property Tax Reimbursement program, which pays back increases in property taxes for eligible seniors.
- Senior Gold
- A New Jersey prescription program for people whose income is just above the PAAD limit.
- SHIP
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Call 1-800-792-8820.
- Stay NJ
- A property tax benefit for homeowners 65 and older that covers up to half of the tax bill, with caps.
- Surrogate
- The county official in New Jersey who handles probate of wills and estates.
- USF
- Universal Service Fund. Monthly credits on gas and electric bills for qualifying households.