Copay

A flat fee you pay for a covered health service — like $30 to see the doctor — separate from your deductible.

A copay is a flat fee you pay for a covered health service — like $30 for a doctor visit or $15 for a prescription — separate from your deductible.

It’s predictable by design: you know the cost before you walk in, which makes routine care easier to budget than percentage-based coinsurance. Depending on the plan, some services have copays that apply even before you’ve met your deductible.

Copays, deductibles, and coinsurance all feed into your out-of-pocket maximum — the yearly ceiling after which the plan pays 100% of covered care.

This is a friendly general explanation, not legal or policy language. Exact coverage depends on your policy, carrier, and state. 🤝

Written and reviewed by the We Insure Things team — licensed independent insurance agents. Last reviewed July 23, 2026. Questions? Ask a licensed agent.