Serious injury

In workers’ compensation cases, any injury or illness that occurs in a place of employment or in connection with any employment requiring inpatient hospitalization for a period in excess of 24 hours for other than medical observation or in which an employee suffers a loss of any member of the body or suffers any serious degree of permanent disfigurement.

Service (svc)

Medical care and items such as medical diagnosis and treatment, drugs and biologicals, supplies, appliances, and equipment, medical social services, and use of rural primary care hospital (RPCH) or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).

Service agreement

1. Contract between any two parties. 2. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), basic agreement between a business associate and a covered entity that describes the business relationship (e.g., a transcription business and a health care provider).

service area

1. Geographical area defined by a managed care plan such as a health maintenance organization (HMO) as the locale in which it will provide health care services to its members directly through its own resources or through arrangements with other providers in the area. Members may be disenrolled if they move out of the plan’s service area. 2. Area where a Medicare private fee-for-service plan accepts members.