co-payment

noun

co-pay·​ment ˈkō-ˌpā-mənt How to pronounce co-payment (audio)
ˌkō-ˈpā-
variants or co-pay or copay or less commonly copayment
plural co-payments or co-pays or copays also copayments
: a relatively small fixed fee that a health insurer (such as an HMO) requires the patient to pay upon incurring a medical expense (as for a routine office visit, surgical procedure, or prescription drug) covered by the health insurer
… patient out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and co-payments have grown alongside overall [health care] costs.kvtz.com
… you can put away tax-sheltered dollars that can be used to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as your doctor visit co-pays or other medical expenses not otherwise covered by your insurance.Philadelphia Inquirer
… employees currently have a 10% copay for prescriptions, whether they are purchased at the in-house pharmacy or a network pharmacy.Joyce Frieden

Examples of co-payment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
They were created to help insurers make smarter formulary decisions, negotiate lower prices with drug manufacturers and set co-payment tiers that balance affordability with patient health. Robert Pearl, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Of state prison residents, 90% were in facilities requiring co-payments, including 63% in facilities with co-payments exceeding one week's prison wage. Tina Reed, Axios, 6 Aug. 2024 While the new contract is in effect, healthcare coverage costs, benefits and prescription drug co-payments will remain fixed for members and their dependents. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2024 Panama has a two-tier health care system with public and private hospitals, clinics, and doctors, both requiring co-payments for services, with lower costs in the public system. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for co-payment 

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of co-payment was in 1966

Dictionary Entries Near co-payment

Cite this Entry

“Co-payment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/co-payment. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

co-payment

noun
co-pay·​ment (ˈ)kō-ˈpā-mənt How to pronounce co-payment (audio)
: a relatively small fixed fee that a health insurer (as an HMO) requires the patient to pay upon incurring a medical expense (as for a routine office visit, surgical procedure, or prescription drug) covered by the health insurer
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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