Which payment method requires the patient to pay a set fee when receiving care?

The payment method that requires the patient to pay a set fee when receiving care is the co-payment. This is a fixed amount that a patient must pay out-of-pocket at the time of service, which varies depending on the type of medical service or visit. For instance, a patient might have a $20 co-payment for a doctor’s visit or a $10 co-payment for a prescription medication.

Co-payments are designed to share the cost of care between the insurer and the patient, ensuring that patients have some financial responsibility while encouraging them to seek necessary medical services. This method provides a predictable expense for patients, allowing them to budget for healthcare costs more effectively.

In contrast, a deductible is the amount a patient must pay before their health insurance begins to cover services. A premium is the regular payment made to maintain health insurance coverage, while direct payment refers to paying the full cost of care directly to medical providers without using insurance. These methods do not involve the set fee structure associated with co-payments.