A co-payment, often called a co-pay, is a fixed amount that a patient pays for a specific medical service or prescription. For example, when visiting a doctor or picking up medication, you might pay a set fee, like $20, while your insurance covers the rest. This helps share the cost of healthcare between you and your insurance provider. Co-payments are common in many health insurance plans and can vary based on the type of service. For instance, a visit to a specialist might have a higher co-pay than a regular check-up. Understanding your $health insurance plan can help you budget for these expenses.