How do co-pays and deductibles work?

A co-pay is a fixed amount the patient pays for medical services. The remaining balance is covered by the patient’s insurance company. Co-pays may vary within the same plans, depending on the service provided.

A deductible is a fixed amount a patient must pay each year before their health insurance benefits begin to cover the costs. After your deductible has been met, patients typically pay coinsurance — a percentage of the total costs — for any services that are covered by the plan. They continue to pay the coinsurance until they meet their out-of-pocket maximum for the year.