Key Takeaways
- A copay is a fixed fee for a service — e.g., a doctor or outpatient visit.
- You pay it at the time of service, so the cost is predictable.
- Copays are a common form of cost-sharing.
Copays are fees you pay for services such as seeing the doctor, receiving outpatient services or being hospitalized. Because a copay is a fixed dollar amount, you always know the cost up front.