Copay (Copayment)
Also called: Co-payment, Co-pay
In plain English
A fixed dollar amount you pay for a covered medical service at the time you receive it. Unlike coinsurance (a percentage), a copay is a set fee — like $25 for a doctor visit or $50 for a specialist.
Real-world example
Your plan has a $30 copay for primary care visits and a $50 copay for specialists. No matter what the doctor charges, you pay the copay amount and insurance covers the rest (assuming you're in-network).
Why this matters for your bill
Copays are the simplest form of cost-sharing. They're predictable and usually apply before your deductible. But watch for services that are subject to coinsurance AFTER the deductible instead — not everything is a flat copay.
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