A co-pay is a fixed amount that a patient pays for a specific medical service or prescription medication at the time of receiving care. This fee is part of a health insurance plan and helps share the cost of healthcare between the patient and the insurance provider. For example, a patient might pay a $20 co-pay for a visit to a doctor. Co-pays can vary depending on the type of service. For instance, a visit to a specialist may have a higher co-pay than a visit to a primary care physician. Understanding co-pays is important for managing healthcare expenses and budgeting for medical costs.