Term
Co-pay
Co-pay is the share of every hospital bill you pay yourself. The insurer pays the rest.
What it means
With a 10% co-pay, if the covered bill is ₹1,00,000 the insurer pays ₹90,000 and you pay ₹10,000 from your own pocket. It applies every single time you make a claim.
Why it matters
- A plan with co-pay usually has a cheaper premium, but you pay more each time you are in hospital.
- It applies on every claim, so the cost adds up if you are hospitalised more than once.
- Many people prefer plans with no co-pay so there is no surprise bill during treatment.
Practical tips
- Check whether the co-pay applies to everyone, or only to senior citizens or certain cities.
- Compare how much you save on premium against what you might pay at claim time.
- Read the policy to confirm the exact percentage and when it applies.