Encounter date

Meaning	The date on which health care services are provided to a covered person. The encounter date, not the date on which the insurance company pays a healthcare claim, is the critical date in determining health insurance benefits. For example, a health insurance company will not pay a claim for health care services incurred prior to the effective date of the health insurance coverage.
Category	Scheme Policy
Synonyma	date of service (DOS) claim item serviced
Further Reading	JLN Process - Eligibility inquiry by provider
Sources	File: NHIIS_Phase_1_Public_Report_JLN_IT_Workshop_FINAL_Jan182012_A4.pdf