coinsurance

noun co·in·sur·ance \ ˌkō-ən-ˈshu̇r-ən(t)s also -ˈin-ˌshu̇r- \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Definition of coinsurance

1 : joint assumption of risk (as by two underwriters) with another

2 : insurance (such as fire insurance) in which the insured is obligated to maintain coverage on a risk at a stipulated percentage of its total value or in the event of loss suffer a penalty in proportion to the deficiency

3 : health insurance in which the insured is required to pay a fixed percentage of the cost of medical expenses after the deductible has been paid and the insurer pays the remaining expenses

Coinsurance is not a new idea—Americans who grew up in the era before managed care will remember their parents paying 20% of the costs of office visits, tests, and prescriptions.
—Thomas H. Lee et al.

Recent Examples of coinsurance from the Web

The copay will be waived, but Medicare beneficiaries will still be responsible for a portion of the bill under the coinsurance provision of their plan, Siddique said.

— sarah gantz, Philly.com, "Patient beware: Insurance covers colonoscopies in full - except when it doesn't," 20 Apr. 2018
Proponents say that in an age of increasingly high deductibles and coinsurance charges, such help is the only way some patients can afford crucial medications.

— special to the oregonian, OregonLive.com, "Prescription drug copay help: 2018 changes leave patients paying more," 4 June 2018
Women who need more complex pumps — ones that have always required coinsurance payments — now must shell out more money as a result of Anthem’s decision, breastfeeding advocates say.

— samantha young, Washington Post, "Insurer Slashes Breast Pump Payments, Stoking Fears Fewer Moms Will Breastfeed," 23 May 2018
Seniors also face costly premiums and coinsurance expenses.

— christy bieber, USA TODAY, "Should you retire in 2018? Questions to consider first," 7 Apr. 2018
What the $280,000 estimate does include are out-of-pocket drug expenses, Medicare deductibles and coinsurance expenses.

— russ wiles, azcentral, "Health costs in retirement: 5 things you should know," 22 Apr. 2018
More than $5 billion of those savings benefit patients through lower deductible and coinsurance payments.

— kaiser health news, Washington Post, "Readers Seek Transparency On Surgery Centers, ‘Bill Of The Month’ Investigations," 28 Mar. 2018
Prescription copay/coinsurance tiers represent the level of payment for which a patient is responsible.

— cathy cunningham, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Why are so many more medications not covered by insurance?," 21 Mar. 2018
Since under this particular plan the coinsurance is 10 percent, that also reveals the reimbursement rate by the insurance company.

— jeanne pinder, Philly.com, "Philly Health Costs: Frequently Asked Questions," 20 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coinsurance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of coinsurance

circa 1889

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

coinsurance

noun co·in·sur·ance \ ˌkō-ən-ˈshu̇r-ən(t)s, -ˈshər- also -ˈin-ˌshu̇r-, -ˌshər- \

medical Definition of coinsurance

: health insurance in which an insurer requires the insured to pay a fixed percentage of the cost of medical expenses after the deductible has been paid and with the insurer to pay the remaining expenses

Coinsurance is not a new idea—Americans who grew up in the era before managed care will remember their parents paying 20% of the costs of office visits, tests, and prescriptions.
—Thomas H. Lee et al., The New England Journal of Medicine, 24 July 2008

Law Dictionary

coinsurance

noun co·in·sur·ance \ ˌkō-in-ˈshu̇r-əns, kō-ˈin-ˌshu̇r- \

legal Definition of coinsurance

1 : joint assumption of risk (as by two underwriters) with another

2 : insurance (as fire insurance) in which the insured is obligated to maintain coverage on a risk at a stipulated percentage of its total value or in the event of loss to suffer a penalty in proportion to the deficiency