Which statement is true about the relationship between deductible and copayments?

• A. Deductibles are paid after copayments.
• B. Deductibles are paid before coverage begins, and copayments are fixed charges for services.
• C. Deductibles count toward the deductible.
• D. Copayments replace coinsurance.

Answer: (B)

Understanding cost-sharing in medical insurance helps explain why this statement is true. The deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurer starts paying for covered services. Copayments are fixed dollar amounts you pay for specific services or visits, usually at the time you receive the service. They are separate from the deductible and represent a predictable, fixed cost, not a portion of the total charge.

So, the correct idea is that you pay the deductible before coverage begins, and copayments are fixed charges for services. This contrasts with the other options: deductibles aren’t typically paid after copayments, the deductible isn’t something you count toward itself, and copayments don’t universally replace coinsurance—many plans use both copayments and coinsurance in different situations.