Short Description
A fixed dollar amount a patient must pay for a specific dental service, required at the time of treatment.
Long Description
A copayment (copay) is a set fee that a patient must pay for certain dental services, regardless of the total cost of treatment. Copays are commonly associated with DHMO (Dental Health Maintenance Organization) plans, where patients pay a fixed amount instead of a percentage (coinsurance).
For example, a DHMO plan may have a $20 copay for a dental cleaning and $50 for a filling. The copay remains the same no matter what the dentist typically charges for that service.
Unlike coinsurance, which is a percentage of the cost, copayments are predictable, making budgeting easier. Patients should check their plan details to see which services require copayments and how they apply to different treatments.