Which term describes a fixed amount paid at the time of service, regardless of the total bill?

• A. Copayment
• B. Deductible
• C. Coinsurance
• D. Out-of-pocket maximum

Answer: (A)

A fixed amount paid at the time of service describes a copayment. You pay this set fee when you receive a service, and the rest of the cost is handled by the plan. This is different from a deductible, which is the amount you must pay before the plan begins paying benefits. It also differs from coinsurance, which is a percentage of the costs you share after meeting the deductible. And it’s not the cap you can’t exceed, which is the out-of-pocket maximum. Copayments can vary by service or plan, but the key idea is the upfront, predictable payment at the point of service.