What might be an example of a copayment?

A copayment, often referred to as a copay, is a fixed amount that a policyholder is required to pay for specific medical services at the time of service. This amount is typically predetermined and is distinct from the deductible or percentage-based costs associated with certain types of insurance plans.

In the context of the options presented, the scenario of paying $30 for each doctor’s visit exemplifies a copayment. This is because it represents a fixed fee that the insurance holder agrees to pay per visit, regardless of the total cost of the service rendered.

This contrasts with other options, such as paying 20% of a hospital bill after the deductible, which describes coinsurance rather than a copayment since it involves a percentage of the total bill rather than a fixed amount. Paying the entire medical bill upfront reflects a situation where the insured pays the total cost without any predefined sharing from the insurance plan, and having no out-of-pocket costs for preventive services describes a situation where certain services are covered fully by the insurance without a copayment.