Vocabulary
Preferred words
| Use this | Not this | Notes |
| your employer | the company, the organization | While using a specific company name is always preferable, in a general context, it’s best to write around this, or use “your employer” if you must. |
| 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) | 401K, 401k, 403b, 403B, etc | No space in between, lowercase letter in parentheses, per the IRS |
| ADA | ada | Acronym for Americans with Disabilities Act, which is uppercase when spelled out |
| after-tax | After tax, post-tax | When discussing contributions made after taxes are taken out |
| ALEX | Alex, alex | ALEX should appear in all caps, except in logos. |
| auto-enrollment, auto-escalation | auto enrollment, auto escalation | |
| biweekly, bimonthly | bi-weekly, bi-monthly | |
| caregiver | care giver | |
| C-section, Cesarean section | c-section, c section, cesarean section | The “C” is capitalized when abbreviated. |
| checkup | check-up, check up | |
| childcare | child care | |
| coinsurance | co-insurance, co insurance | |
| copay | co-pay, co pay | This is contrary to Merriam-Webster, but matches how most healthcare companies refer to it. |
| DCFSA, dependent care FSA, dependent care flexible spending account | Dependent Care FSA, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, dcfsa | Not a proper noun when written out |
| E-mail, eMail | ||
| ER | E.R., er | Abbreviation for Emergency Room |
| EOI, evidence of insurability | E.O.I., Evidence of Insurability | Not a proper noun when written out |
| FMLA, Family and Medical Leave Act | F.M.L.A., family and medical leave act | |
| FSA, flexible spending account | F.S.A., fsa, Flexible Spending Account | |
| full-time, part-time | fulltime, parttime | Hyphenated when used as an adjective |
| health care (when using as a noun) | healthcare | When used as a noun, it’s two words. This style guide prefers that it be one word when referring to the industry or system (ex. healthcare plans). |
| healthcare (when using as an adjective) | health care | When used as an adjective, it’s one word. This style guide prefers that it be two words when referring to medical care or treatment (ex. preventive health care). |
| HRA, health reimbursement arrangement, health reimbursement account | H.R.A., Health Reimbursement Account, etc | The IRS refers to it as an arrangement, but some customers use “account” instead, so keep an eye out. Also, it’s “an HRA” and not “a HRA.” |
| HSA, health savings account | Health Savings Account, health spending account | Not a proper noun when written out. Also, it’s “an HSA” and not “a HSA.” |
| in-network | in network | Hyphenate unless you’re saying “in the network” or “in your network” |
| inpatient | in-patient | |
| IRA, individual retirement account | Individual Retirement Account | Note that it’s not a proper noun when written out. |
| LASIK | Lasik, lasik | |
| LOA, leave of absence | Leave of Absence, leave-of-absence | |
| log in (verb) | sign in, login | Two words when used as a verb (i.e. “Log in to the website.”). Also, we use log in vs. sign in for consistency. |
| login (noun) | sign-in, log in | One word when used as a noun or adjective (i.e. “Go to your login page.”) |
| long-term disability | long term disability, longterm disability | Unless saying “your disability is long term.” |
| okay | OK, o.k., O.K. | |
| online | on-line, on line | One word |
| out-of-network | out of network | Hyphenate unless you’re saying “out of the network” or “out of your network.” |
| out-of-pocket maximum | out of pocket maximum, maximum out of pocket | Hyphenate as an adjective. Not hyphenated as part of a phrase, ex. “What you pay out of your pocket.” |
| outpatient | out-patient | |
| over-the-counter | over the counter | Hyphenate when using as an adjective |
| parental leave | maternity/paternity leave | Unless referring to a specific company policy with those names. |
| prescription | Rx, RX | |
| pre-tax | pre tax, pretax | |
| preventive | preventative | Both are real words, but our style guide prefers “preventive care.” |
| rollover (as a noun) | roll over | One word as noun or modifier (i.e. rollover healthfund). See below for verb usage. |
| roll over (as a verb) | rollover | Ex: The annual coverage maximum rolls over at the end of the plan year.”. See above for noun usage. |
| Roth IRA | roth IRA | |
| short-term disability | short term disability, shortterm disability | Unless saying “your disability is short term.” |
| target date fund | Target Date Fund | Roth usually appears in the context of “Roth or traditional IRA/401(k).” Note that “traditional” isn’t capitalized. |
| toward | towards | |
| US | U.S. | |
| walkthrough | walk through | Note: we break with Merriam-Webster here. |
| website | web-site, web site | |
| well-being, well-woman, well-man, well-baby, well-child | Wellbeing, well-male, well-female | Always hyphenated. |
| workers’ compensation | worker’s compensation, workers compensation, worker compensation | “Workers’” is both plural and possessive so the apostrophe goes after the final s. |
| worst-case scenario | worst case scenario |
Words to avoid
The list below highlights potentially confusing language to avoid. For a summary of problematic language that should not appear in ALEX’s vocabulary, go to the list of Off-the-table words & phrases, which covers health and insurance terminology that should be avoided and some potential alternatives.
- Healthfund: This is sometimes used internally to refer to the umbrella of HSA, HRA, FSA, but is not a standard term and should not be used in any external copy.
- Mammography: Use “mammograms.”
- Maternity: This term should be phased out in favor of pregnancy care, gestational leave, parental leave, etc. as appropriate.
- Mat/pat: short for maternity/paternity. This term should be phased out of usage, since it is not inclusive of all parental identities. Instead, use “parental leave” when referring to taking a leave to have a kid, regardless of reason. An exception can be made if it is used in the official name of a customer policy.
- Opposite-sex (as in “opposite-sex partner”): not gender inclusive. Write around this as much as possible.
Be conscientious about using the following words.
- Client: The people who buy and use our products are our customers.
- Company: As in, “your company provides…” If in text, use the customer’s name. If audio is required, write around using this word. Ex. “The kind souls where you work offer you a 401k,” “You have access to…” “XYZ benefit is available to you…”
- Employee: Many customers have different euphemisms for this. Also, some people who use ALEX are not employees.
- Employer: Likewise, some customers are not employers, or do not wish to be referred to as such. See guidance for “company.”
- Insurance: Use sparingly. “Coverage” or “the plan” often do the trick.
- Premium: Many self-insured customers use the term “contribution,” so it’s best to minimize usage. Ex. “Here’s what you pay to be on the plan.”
Insurers
Below is a list of frequently-listed insurers with the correct spelling and style treatment for each.
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Coventry Health Care
- Health Net
- HMSA
- Humana
- Kaiser Permanente
- Premera
- Security Administrative Services (SAS)
- UnitedHealthcare
- WellCare
- WellPoint