What does "covered service" mean?

The term "covered service" refers to healthcare services that an insurance plan agrees to pay for, at least in part, according to the terms of the policy. This means that when a service is classified as a covered service, the insurance provider recognizes it as an eligible expense under the policy and will contribute towards the cost, although the patient may still be responsible for a portion of the payment, such as a copay or coinsurance.

In the context of insurance plans, it is common for certain services to be partially covered based on specific conditions outlined in the policy. For example, the plan may only cover a percentage of the costs or may require the insured individual to pay a deductible before coverage kicks in for that service.

The other options do not accurately capture the primary meaning of "covered service." The possibility of complete coverage (all costs paid) does not define the term, nor does it suggest that all services automatically qualify for coverage without exceptions. Additionally, simply exceeding the deductible does not ensure that a service is covered; it must still meet the policy's criteria to be classified as a covered service.