What is the difference between indemnity payment and service-based payment?

• A. Service-based payment reimburses the insured.
• B. Indemnity payment reimburses the insured; service-based pays the provider directly according to the policy terms.
• C. They are the same.
• D. Indemnity payment pays the provider directly.

Answer: (B)

At the heart of this distinction is who receives the payment and how claims are settled. In an indemnity arrangement, the insurer reimburses the insured for eligible medical expenses. The insured may pay the provider upfront and then submit a claim to get reimbursed, and the payment typically goes to the insured (subject to deductible, coinsurance, and limits).

In a service-based arrangement, the plan pays the provider directly for services rendered, usually under contract terms with the provider network. The insured’s role is mainly to pay any required copayments or coinsurance, with the provider receiving payment from the insurer rather than from the patient.

So the best description is that indemnity payments reimburse the insured, while service-based payments are made directly to the provider according to policy terms. The other statements misstate who is paid or imply they’re the same, which isn’t correct.