Which of the following services is considered an outpatient service under Medicare?

Lab and diagnostic tests are categorized as outpatient services under Medicare because they are typically performed in a setting where patients do not require a hospital stay. These services include blood tests, imaging studies (like X-rays or MRIs), and other diagnostic procedures that can be performed in outpatient facilities or offices. Patients can undergo these tests and return home on the same day, aligning with the definition of outpatient care.

In contrast, inpatient hospitalization involves patients being admitted to a hospital for treatment and staying overnight, which clearly falls under inpatient care. Home health care often requires skilled services delivered in a patient's home but is more complex than simple lab tests. Moreover, nursing home care is meant for residents who need long-term care, making it a different category entirely from outpatient services. Understanding the distinctions in these categories helps clarify Medicare's coverage and the services it considers as outpatient.