Which term describes the portion of the cost of each service that the patient pays?

Which term describes the portion of the cost of each service that the patient pays?

• A. Copayment
• B. Deductible
• C. Coinsurance
• D. Premium

Answer: (A)

A fixed dollar amount that a patient pays for a covered service at the time of the visit is described as a copayment. This per-service amount is set by the insurance plan and is paid by the patient regardless of the total charge for the procedure, making costs predictable for the patient. The other terms work differently: a deductible is the amount a patient must pay out of pocket before insurance begins to pay, coinsurance is the share of costs the patient pays as a percentage after the deductible is met, and a premium is the regular payment to maintain the insurance coverage. Because the question focuses on the per-service amount the patient pays at the time of service, copayment is the best fit.

A fixed dollar amount that a patient pays for a covered service at the time of the visit is described as a copayment. This per-service amount is set by the insurance plan and is paid by the patient regardless of the total charge for the procedure, making costs predictable for the patient. The other terms work differently: a deductible is the amount a patient must pay out of pocket before insurance begins to pay, coinsurance is the share of costs the patient pays as a percentage after the deductible is met, and a premium is the regular payment to maintain the insurance coverage. Because the question focuses on the per-service amount the patient pays at the time of service, copayment is the best fit.