Which cost-sharing feature is the small fixed fee paid at the time of an office visit?

• A. Deductible
• B. Premium
• C. Co-payment
• D. Coinsurance

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is understanding what a co-payment is. A co-payment is a fixed dollar amount you pay at the time you receive a medical service, such as an office visit. It’s paid regardless of the total bill and doesn’t depend on how much the service actually costs. This differs from a deductible, which is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts paying for most services. It also differs from a premium, which is the regular amount you pay to maintain your health plan, typically monthly or annually. Coinsurance, on the other hand, is a share of the costs you pay after the deductible is met, usually a percentage of the total cost, not a fixed fee. So the small fixed fee paid at the time of an office visit is a co-payment.