What is a co-pay?

• A. A fixed payment collected after the visit
• B. A fixed payment collected at the time of visit
• C. A percentage of the total bill after the deductible
• D. The entire cost paid by the insurer

Answer: (B)

Co-pay is a fixed amount you pay at the time you receive care. Plans set specific dollar amounts for different services (for example, $20 for a primary care visit), and you pay that amount when you check in or are seen. The insurer covers the rest of the allowed charge according to the policy. This differs from coinsurance, which is a percentage of the cost you pay after meeting your deductible, and it's not the insurer paying the entire bill. So the best description is a fixed payment collected at the time of visit.