capitation

noun

cap·​i·​ta·​tion ˌka-pə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a direct uniform tax imposed on each head or person : poll tax

2

: a uniform per capita payment or fee

3

: a capitated health care system

Examples of capitation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This increase is primarily attributed to growth in capitation revenue due to recent acquisitions. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024

However, technology can bridge the gap to forecast performance in primary care attribution, prospective bundles and partial or full capitation. —David Snow, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024

Initially, capitation rates for Medicare Advantage were set at 95% of the average cost of an enrollee in original Medicare. —Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2023

In general, the sicker the member, the bigger the capitation. —Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2023

It’s called capitation, and the idea was to encourage medical providers to be more efficient. —Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2023

With capitation, physicians are prepaid based on the age and known diseases of their patients. —Robert Pearl, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2022

Medicare Advantage is a capitation program. —WSJ, 1 Sep. 2021

Under Medicare Advantage, health plans are paid a set amount per patient per month, known as a capitation. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin capitation-, capitatio poll tax, from Latin capit-, caput

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

capitation

noun

cap·​i·​ta·​tion ˌkap-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a fixed per capita payment made periodically to a medical service provider (as a physician) by a managed care group (as an HMO) in return for medical care provided to enrolled individuals

2

: a capitated health-care system

Legal Definition

capitation

noun

cap·​i·​ta·​tion ˌka-pə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a direct uniform tax imposed on each head or person : poll tax

no capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid

—U.S. Constitution art. I

2

: a uniform per person payment or fee

Etymology

Late Latin capitatio, from Latin caput head