coinsurance
noun
co·in·sur·ance
ˌkō-ən-ˈshu̇r-ən(t)s 
also -ˈin-ˌshu̇r-
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.
Thomas H. Lee et al.Examples of coinsurance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Plans typically combine coverage for hospital and outpatient care as well as medications, while eliminating the 20% coinsurance requirement and capping beneficiaries’ annual out-of-pocket costs.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
But without a Medigap policy to supplement original Medicare, the beneficiary has to pay for all the gaps in Medicare Part B.
The out-of-pocket cost can be substantial, because a major gap is the 20% coinsurance amount on most covered care.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
This year, that will be a 50% coinsurance, increasing the monthly cost to $275.
—Diane Omdahl, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Cain was instrumental in getting passed a 2000 Colorado law that requires insurers to cover prosthetic arms and legs at parity with Medicare, which requires coverage with a 20% coinsurance payment.
—Michelle Andrews | Kff Health News, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coinsurance
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Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
But without a Medigap policy to supplement original Medicare, the beneficiary has to pay for all the gaps in Medicare Part B.
The out-of-pocket cost can be substantial, because a major gap is the 20% coinsurance amount on most covered care.
—Bob Carlson, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
This year, that will be a 50% coinsurance, increasing the monthly cost to $275.
—Diane Omdahl, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Cain was instrumental in getting passed a 2000 Colorado law that requires insurers to cover prosthetic arms and legs at parity with Medicare, which requires coverage with a 20% coinsurance payment.
—Michelle Andrews | Kff Health News, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coinsurance
Cite this Entry
“Coinsurance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coinsurance. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
coinsurance
noun
co·in·sur·ance
ˌkō-ən-ˈshu̇r-ən(t)s, -ˈshər- also -ˈin-ˌshu̇r-, -ˌshər-
: 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
Thomas H. Lee et al., The New England Journal of MedicineLegal Definition
coinsurance
noun
co·in·sur·ance
ˌkō-in-ˈshu̇r-əns, kō-ˈin-ˌshu̇r-
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
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