noun
copay
KOH-pay
Copay (noun) means a fixed sum that a patient pays towards the cost of a medical service, with an insurer covering the remainder. Example: “My doctor's visit has a twenty-dollar copay.”
noun
1
A fixed sum that a patient pays towards the cost of a medical service, with an insurer covering the remainder.
"My doctor's visit has a twenty-dollar copay."
"She checked her plan to see what the copay would be for the prescription."
"Some insurance plans waive the copay for routine check-ups."
How to use copay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA copay is the bit of a medical bill you pay yourself, with insurance covering the rest.
When to use it
Copay is everyday, practical vocabulary used mainly around healthcare and insurance.
Memory tip
Think of co- as 'shared', since the patient and the insurer are sharing the cost between them.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
pay a copay
twenty-dollar copay
copay for a visit
waive the copay
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My doctor's visit has a twenty-dollar _____.
Etymology
Copay is formed from the prefix co-, meaning jointly or together, added to pay.
Rhymes for copay
See all rhymes for copay →Frequently asked questions
What does copay mean?
A copay is the set amount a patient pays out of pocket for a medical visit or service, while the rest is covered by insurance.
Is copay the same as a deductible?
The grounding used here does not cover deductibles, so no comparison can be given beyond copay meaning a copayment.
How do you spell copay?
It is usually written as one word, copay, though co-pay with a hyphen is also used.
What is the meaning of copay?
"copay" (noun) means a fixed sum that a patient pays towards the cost of a medical service, with an insurer covering the remainder.
