A fixed amount ($20, for example) you pay for a covered healthcare service after you've paid your deductible.
Let's say your health insurance plan's allowable cost for a doctor's office visit is $100 and your plan's co-payment for a doctor visit is $20.
- If you've paid your deductible: You pay $20, usually at the time of the visit.
- If you haven't met your deductible: You pay $100, the full allowable amount for the visit.
Co-payments (sometimes called "co-pays") can vary for different services within the same plan, like drugs, lab tests and visits to specialists.
Generally, plans with lower monthly premiums have higher co-payments. Plans with higher monthly premiums usually have lower co-payments.