Once referred to as 'major medical' insurance, a broad range of coverage under a medical insurance plan is now commonly referred to as comprehensive health insurance. This generally covers medical, surgeries and hospital bills, but not always. Broad coverage in this case does not mean all-inclusive medical coverage.

Normally anything that is deemed medically necessary will be covered, such as surgical procedures which are life-saving. This would not cover cosmetic surgery unless it is a secondary condition performed during a surgery which is medically necessary.

A good example of this would be a person who gets a rhinoplasty performed to aid in their breathing, being finished off with some slight cosmetic surgery. Or a woman who has undergone a mastectomy being given a silicon breast replacement. It does depend on the particular medical policy, doctor and sometimes even the medical facility.

Reconstructive surgery is normally covered under comprehensive medical coverage, and can include facial surgery if necessary to correct deformities or paralysis. Ear, breast, eyelid and stomach surgeries can usually be covered if they are needed because of birth defects, or cause discomfort or restricted use.

Another type of policy available is the hospital-surgical policy, also known as basic health insurance. It covers most things necessary if the patient's condition necessitates a hospital stay. Then the room and board, x-rays, tests done in a laboratory, surgeries and all things required for the surgery will be covered.

There is almost always a set amount available for surgery, and they are not meant to cover extremely costly operations. Comprehensive health insurance will occasionally pay a large percentage of the cost of the surgery.

Different surgical procedures have varying benefit amounts which are listed on a pre-written summary of the expected operation. Hospital-surgical policies sometimes require the patient to pay a small deductible for surgeries or none at all, and refer to this as 'first-dollar' coverage.

Some kinds of surgery are more subjective than others, such as the case for getting gastric bypass surgery. Costing anywhere from $20,000 to $26,000, it can also depend on what state you live in, what insurance company you use and your individual policy.

Sometimes you may hear the expression 'managed care' or 'fee-for-service health care' but they are also a type of broad coverage health plan. Both will cover a spectrum of surgical expenses and hospital stays along with connected medical procedures and possibly needed medications.

Who pays for surgery and who doesn't has as many answers as there are health policies and they all have varying benefit amounts. The policy holder should be aware of their coverage and occasionally reassess if it is indeed the best for them.