Copayments, or copays for short, are a form of cost-sharing between you and your insurer on payments made for specific medical services.
With copays, your plan states the fixed out-of-pocket amount for specific services you will pay. The copay is the amount of money you typically pay to a doctor at the time of service, regardless of if you have met your deductible.
For some services, like emergency room visits, copays typically range between $300 to $1,000. Some plans require you to pay for the entire ER visit rather than just the copay if your deductible has not been satisfied. If you see your primary care doctor because you have an infection, which is classified as a non-preventative issue, you’ll pay a copay. No copays are required for your annual physical, treatments like mammograms, and immunizations, which are classified as preventative coverage.
Whether you choose an HMO or PPO plan, copays are typically average between $20 to $75.
