Return To Main Page	NOTE: The following definitions are offered to assist you in learning about the types of health care professionals that treat various conditions or illnesses. For example, a cardiologist treats diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Accordingly, these definitions are for educational purposes only. You should consult the benefit documents for the plan in which you are enrolled in order to determine if health care services that you may receive are covered under the plan. Adolescent Medicine Diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury in adolescents. Allergy Diagnosis and treatment of hypersensitive states resulting from exposure to a particular allergen. Allergy and Immunology Diagnosis and treatment of hypersensitive states resulting from exposure to a particular allergen and diseases of the immune system. Ambulatory Surgery Center Provider of health surgery services on an outpatient basis. Anatomic Pathology Field of pathology that deals with structural changes. Anesthesiology Administration of anesthetics. Audiology Diagnosis and treatment of hearing impairment. Cardiology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular Disease Disease pertaining to the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular Surgery Diagnosis and surgical treatment of the heart and blood vessels. Child Neurology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system of children. These include illnesses involving the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles. Chiropractic Medicine Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the spine, utilizing methods such as manipulation of the spine, physiotherapy and patient counseling, for the purpose of removing nerve interference. Clinical Genetics Diagnosis, management and counseling for genetic disorders. Colon/Rectal Surgery Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the large intestine and rectum. Critical Care Anesthesiologist trained to diagnose, treat and support patients with multiple organ dysfunction. Dermatology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin. Diagnostic Radiology The application of radiology including X-rays, radioactive isotopes and ionizing radiation for the application of information for diagnosis and treatment of disease. Dialysis Center A medical location where dialysis, the removal of liquid and chemicals from the blood, would be performed. Emergency Medicine Treatment of an accident of urgent and pressing medical need. Endocrinology Diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities of the hormone-producing glands, such as the pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands. Family Practice Physicians specializing in family medicine treat all members of a family (adults and children) for the most common illnesses. The family practitioner is concerned with the total healthcare for the individual and family. Gastroenterology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the digestive system including the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder and the pancreas. General Practice Diagnosis and treatment of many illnesses. General Vascular Surgery Diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases pertaining to blood vessels. Gynecology Diagnosis and treatment of the female reproductive organs, including the breasts. Gynecologic Oncology Diagnosis and treatment of tumors and malignancies, particularly of the female reproductive organs, including the breasts. Hand Surgery Diagnosis and treatment of deformities and/or injuries of the hand. Hematology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph glands. Infectious Diseases Diagnosis of acute and chronic infections which may or may not be contagious. Internal Medicine Diagnosis and treatment, in adults, of the internal organs and functions of the body pertaining to the heart, circulatory system, lungs, digestive system, kidneys, nervous system and endocrine system. Laboratory Facility equipped to perform diagnostic testing. Medical Oncology Therapy with medicines for the treatment of tumors. Neonatology The study of a newborn infant for the first four weeks after birth. Nephrology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the kidney. Neurological Surgery Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system which include illnesses involving the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles. Neurology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system. These include illnesses involving the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles. Nuclear Medicine Nuclear medicine specialists produce images by injecting radiopharmaceuticals into the body and making pictures of the internal organs that would not be visible on an ordinary X-ray. Nuclear Radiology Diagnosis of illness and injuries with the use of radiant energy. Obstetrics/Gynecology Care of pregnancy and diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the female reproductive system. Occupational Therapy Therapeutic use of activities to maximize a person's ability to function independently, enhance development and prevent disease. Oncology Diagnosis and treatment of tumors and malignancy. Ophthalmology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye. Optometry Diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of diseases of the eye, including visual problems treated with eyeglasses and contact lenses; diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and injury to the globe of the eye; glaucoma testing, examination of the retina, dilated eye examinations, and the provision of other services under the scope of the optometrist's license in each individual state. Orthopedic Surgery Surgery for correction of deformities and treatment of chronic joint diseases. Otolaryngology Diagnosis and treatment of otology, rhinology and laryngology (ears, nose and throat). Otology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear. Pathology Diagnosis of disease by the examination of tissues and performance of laboratory tests. Pediatrics Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of infancy, childhood and adolescents. Pediatric Adolescent Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of adolescents. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Diagnosis and treatment of hypersensitive states resulting from exposure to a particular allergen and diseases of the immune system of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Cardiology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Emergency Medicine Treatment of an accident of urgent and pressing medical need of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Endocrinology Diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities of the hormone-producing glands, such as the pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Gastroenterology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the digestive system including the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder and the pancreas of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Genetics Diagnosis and treatment of inherited diseases of infancy, childhood and adolescents. Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood, spleen lymph glands, tumors and malignancies. Pediatric Neurology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system which include illnesses involving the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles in infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Infectious Disease Diagnosis of acute and chronic infections of infancy, childhood and adolescents. Pediatric Nephrology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the kidney of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Ophthalmology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Surgery for correction of deformities and treatment of chronic joint diseases. Pediatric Otolaryngology The division of medical science which includes otology, rhinology and laryngology of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Plastic Surgery The restoration and repair of external physical defects by use of grafts of bone or tissues of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the lungs and other chest tissues of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Rheumatology Diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of arthritis and some disorders of the immune system of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric Surgery Surgery dealing with a wide variety of surgical problems including disorders of the stomach, small intestine, and colon as well as the liver, gallbladder and pancreas, and a wide variety of cancers in infancy, childhood and adolescents. Pediatric Urology Diagnosis and treatment concerned with the urinary tract in both male and females and the genital tract in the male in infancy, childhood and adolescents. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Treatment of disease by physical agents such as heat, cold, light, electricity, manipulation or the use of mechanical devices for the restoration of physiologic function. Physical Therapy Rehabilitation and prevention concerned with the restoration of musculoskeletal, neurological or cardiopulmonary function. Plastic Surgery Surgery concerned with the repair or restoration of defective or missing structures, frequently involving the transference of tissue from a part or person to another part or person. Podiatry Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the feet. Proctology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the colon and rectum. Pulmonary Medicine Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the lungs and other chest tissues. Radiation Oncology Treatment of tumors with radiation. Radiation Therapy Treatment of disease with radiation. Radiology/Nuclear Medicine Diagnosis of illnesses and injuries with the use of X-ray and other forms of radiant energy. Rehabilitative Medicine Restoration of physiologic function. Rheumatology Diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of arthritis and some disorders of the immune system. Speech Pathology Treatment of speech impairment. Sports Medicine Diagnosis and treatment of injuries sustained in athletic endeavors. Surgery Treatment dealing with manual and operative procedures for correction of deformities and defects, repair of injuries, and diagnosis and cure of certain diseases. Surgery-Abdominal Diagnosis and surgical treatment for correction of deformities and defects, repair of injuries and cure of certain diseases of the abdomen. Surgery-Cardiovascular and Thoracic Diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases or organs in the chest cavity (heart, lung, etc.). Surgery-Colon/Rectal Surgery pertaining to the colon and rectal areas. Surgical Critical Care Surgery pertaining to the care of seriously ill patients needing immediate and continuous care. Surgery-General General surgeons deal with a wide variety of surgical problems, including disorders of the stomach, small intestine, and colon as well as the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Surgeons also treat a wide variety of cancers. Surgery-Head and Neck Diagnosis and surgical treatment for correction of deformities and defects, repair of injuries and cure of certain diseases of the head and neck. Surgery-Neurosurgery Surgery of the brain and nervous system. Surgery-Orthopedic and Rehabilitative Surgery pertaining to bones and restoration of function(s). Surgery-Otolaryngology Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose and throat (ENT). Surgery-Thoracic Diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases or organs in the chest cavity. Surgery-Urology Diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases of the male and female urinary tract. Urology Medicine concerned with the urinary tract in both sexes and the genital tract in the male. Back to Top Return to Main Page