Which service is typically NOT covered under preventive services in health insurance?

Preventive services in health insurance are designed to promote health and detect potential health issues before they become serious. These services are usually covered by health insurance plans without any cost-sharing to the insured, encouraging individuals to seek care regularly.

Annual physical exams, vaccinations, and cancer screenings are all considered preventive services because they aim to protect individuals from serious diseases and to catch any early signs of illness. For instance, annual physical exams help in monitoring an individual's overall health, vaccinations prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and cancer screenings like mammograms or colonoscopies can catch cancers at an earlier, more treatable stage.

Emergency surgery, on the other hand, is not classified as a preventive service. It is typically performed in response to acute health issues requiring immediate attention, such as trauma or severe medical conditions. Since its purpose is to treat existing problems rather than to prevent them, it falls outside the scope of preventive care services. Thus, recognizing what constitutes preventive care is essential for understanding the benefits offered in health insurance plans.