Talk:Copayment
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Added a section (with references) on some of the downstream effects of copayment. Would welcome discussion or other thoughts on the article as it is now. MastCell 17:07, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
- This is an American term? The article doesn't really define it. Is it a contractual term, like an "excess" - where only costs exceeding a certain limit are covered by the policy, leaving the insured to cover the costs up to that limit?--Shtove 20:08, 24 January 2007 (UTC)
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- As far as I know, it's a concept used mostly in the American system of health insurance. I think what you're describing above would be a "deductible" - that is, if you have a $500 annual deductible, you have to cover all costs up to $500/year before the insurance kicks in. The copayment is separate - basically, every time you see the doctor, you pay $10, or $25, or $50, or whatever the copayment is. As the article suggests, the idea possibly to make people think twice about accessing the healthcare system, although may have deleterious effects (see the article refs) as it can discourage appropriate use as well as inappropriate use. MastCell 21:06, 24 January 2007 (UTC)
- Thanks. Something similar is used in the "socialized" health care system of Ireland, where you pay up front to access the emergency facilities. Guess health care systems are pretty mind numbing in their variety.--Shtove 23:59, 24 January 2007 (UTC)
- As far as I know, it's a concept used mostly in the American system of health insurance. I think what you're describing above would be a "deductible" - that is, if you have a $500 annual deductible, you have to cover all costs up to $500/year before the insurance kicks in. The copayment is separate - basically, every time you see the doctor, you pay $10, or $25, or $50, or whatever the copayment is. As the article suggests, the idea possibly to make people think twice about accessing the healthcare system, although may have deleterious effects (see the article refs) as it can discourage appropriate use as well as inappropriate use. MastCell 21:06, 24 January 2007 (UTC)
