Ancillary Services

What Does Ancillary Services Mean?

Ancillary services are health services that are not directly administered by a physician but which are still covered by health insurance. These services provide support for a physician's diagnosis and treatment.

Insuranceopedia Explains Ancillary Services

In a medical setting, the physician performs the primary obligation of assessing and treating a patient. Physicians, however, also rely on a support system that includes laboratories, therapists, nurses, and other healthcare providers. This support system constitutes ancillary care.

Since laboratory tests, nursing care, and rehabilitative hospital stays are important, they are included in most health insurance in addition to the primary care given by physicians as benefits.