Which cost is typically considered a part of "cost-sharing"?

Cost-sharing refers to the portion of healthcare costs that patients are responsible for paying out of their own pockets when they receive medical care. This typically includes specific payments that a patient makes directly to their healthcare provider in conjunction with the health insurance coverage they have. Deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance fall under this category because they represent the direct costs incurred by the insured individual as part of their health plan when accessing services.

Deductibles are the amount patients must pay before their insurance kicks in, copayments are fixed amounts paid for specific services (like doctor visits), and coinsurance represents a percentage of costs that patients are responsible for after they have met their deductible. Together, these elements reflect the shared financial responsibilities between the insured and the insurer, which is integral to understanding how health insurance works and what it means for patients when they seek care.