Co-Pay

What it means

A fixed dollar amount the patient pays each time they see a doctor, fill a prescription, or use certain health services. Insurance pays the rest. For Medicaid in New York, most services have no co-pay at all. For other insurance, co-pay amounts depend on the type of visit and the plan; current co-pay schedules are at the insurer's member portal. Some clinics waive co-pays or use a sliding scale for patients who cannot pay. Emergency rooms cannot turn a patient away for inability to pay.

When you might hear this

You hear this at a doctor's office, pharmacy, or clinic. It is the small amount you pay out of pocket each time you use a service, even if insurance covers the rest.

What to ask