point of service (POS)

Location of where the particular heath care service is provided. POS often defines under what provisions of a health insurance policy the service will be paid. If a POS provision is added to a managed care plan, it allows a member to go outside the plan for services but the copayment varies in size depending on the level of benefit. Do not confuse this with place of service (POS). Also see point-of-service (POS) plan.

point-of-service (POS) device

Piece of equipment interfaced with an analog telephone line used to identify a recipient’s eligibility, obtain share of cost liability status, key in share of cost payment toward balance, reserve medical services, perform Family PACT (planning, access, care, and treatment) client eligibility transactions, and submit pharmacy or CMS-1500 insurance claims. Also referred to as point-of-sale (POS) device or point-of-service (POS) network.