IX SPECIFIC BENEFITS
Each health plan or insurance policy must define what kinds of medical services are covered by insurance. These policies must also explain limitations or exclusions of coverage for specific services. In addition, insurance policies define the kinds of medical care providers that are covered by insurance. For example, covered providers usually include physicians and hospitals, but the policy’s terms may also include coverage for nurse practitioners, midwives, chiropractors, and naturopaths.
Almost all health insurance plans cover the cost of diagnostic tests, prescription drugs, and other items necessary to provide care in hospitals. Some policies also provide coverage for such things as prescription drugs to be taken outside of hospital settings.
Hospitals provide inpatient care when they admit a patient for an overnight stay. Most comprehensive health insurance policies cover the costs of inpatient care as long as that level of care is considered necessary to treat the patient’s condition.