Definition of Copay
A copay is the fixed amount (e.g., $20) a person pays for a covered healthcare service, generally at the time service is rendered.
What is a copay?
A copay, or copayment, is the amount the covered participant pays out of pocket after a doctor’s visit or when buying prescription medicine. Copays are not a fixed amount and may vary from one plan to another. It’s also important to note that emergency room visits may cost more than routine doctor visits.
Copays are generally considered nominal payments commonly found as part of a health plan. They are an added benefit for more regular services, such as:
- Primary care doctor visits
- Specialist visits
- Prescriptions
- Emergency coverage
Copays may also be used for In-Network services but rarely for Out-of-Network services. Services outside of those covered by the standard health plan (e.g., dental or vision services )are usually ineligible for using a copay.
In most situations, the deductible does not need to be met before paying the copay (except if your plan is a High Deductible Health Plan). However, you should look at the plan Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) to confirm that the deductible is waived for the service you seek.
Why is understanding copays important to my business?
Copays are one way to provide a desirable health plan benefit to your employees. At the same time, your company experiences a savings benefit over a 100% coverage plan. Granted, health plans requiring participants to meet a high deductible are less expensive to your company. Still, they’re much less desirable for many employees — particularly those with children or who are aging.
Depending on your business model and how employees access their healthcare, even lower copays may create a barrier for some of your employees to seek or receive healthcare services.
What is the history of copays?
Copays are a means of plan participants sharing the cost of medical care with the insurance provider.
In 1929 a few Dallas-based teachers, along with a local hospital, proposed that prospective patients could prepay a fixed rate to receive a predetermined number of sick and hospital days. This concept became very popular, particularly during the difficult economic conditions of the Great Depression.
The development of a healthcare cost-sharing program evolved from the original idea of the patient prepaid concept. Referred to as the Baylor plan, these conglomerations set not-for-profit subscription fees to ensure families and communities could continue to receive needed care.
In response to pressure from the unions in the 1940s and 50s, during World War II, employers who were competing for talent in an extremely limited workforce began offering employer-sponsored healthcare for their employees. Mandated war-time wage controls allowed them another means to compete for workers.
Other terms similar to copay that can assist you
- Coinsurance: Coinsurance is generally expressed as a fixed percentage of the total visit cost an insured participant must pay toward a covered claim after the deductible is satisfied. Breaking down the coinsurance split into an 80/20 division is one of the most common methods. In this scenario, the insurer pays 80% and the insured 20%.
- Deductible healthcare plan: This type of healthcare plan defines a specific dollar amount that the patient must pay before the insurance plan will contribute to the healthcare expenses. Once the employee meets the deductible, the healthcare plan may require a copayment or coinsurance payment.t. Alternatively, the healthcare plan may cover 100% of the remaining expenditures.
Summary of a copay
A copay is a set dollar amount a healthcare plan participant must pay out of their own pocket. This applies when the patient receives care at a:
- Physician’s appointment
- Visit to a specialist’s office
- Trip to urgent care
- Pharmacy to fill prescriptions
Defining what the healthcare plan considers an in-network system determines whether treatment is eligible for copayment.
Similar glossary definitions you must know
- Flexible spending account (FSA): An FSA allows eligible employees to set aside pre-tax money via payroll deductions into a tax-free account and use this money to pay for eligible healthcare expenses.
- Eligible FSA expense: Expenses defined by the IRS as reimbursable from an FSA.
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