E

End-Stage Organ Disease: A disease that leads, ultimately, to permanent, complete failure of an organ to function. Some examples are emphysema (lungs), cardiomyopathy (heart), and polycystic kidney disease (kidneys).

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): The complete or almost complete failure of the kidneys to function. The kidneys can no longer remove wastes, concentrate urine, and regulate many other important body functions.

Exclusion: Medical services that are not paid for by an insurance policy.

Experimental: New treatments, procedures or drugs that are being tested. Insurance companies usually do not pay for anything considered experimental.