healthcare cost-sharing

Healthcare cost-sharing is a system where patients pay a portion of their medical expenses directly, such as copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance, instead of the entire bill being covered by insurance. This approach helps manage healthcare costs by encouraging responsible use of services, reduces insurance premiums, and shares financial risk between patients and insurers. For example, you might pay a copay for a doctor visit or meet a deductible before your insurance covers most costs. Cost-sharing aims to balance affordability with maintaining access to necessary healthcare.