Common terms used in health insurance:
Premium: The amount you pay each month for your coverage, typically taken out of each paycheck. Premiums do not count toward your out-of-pocket maximum. Contact your employer with questions about your premium.
Deductible: The amount you pay out-of-pocket before your health plan starts covering costs. Plans with no deductible start to pay for your care right away.
Copay: A fixed dollar amount you pay for a healthcare service or visit.
Coinsurance: The percentage of the cost you’ll pay for your care after you meet your deductible. In most cases, you either pay a copay or coinsurance, but not both.
Out-of-pocket maximum: The most you’ll pay for any covered healthcare and pharmacy expenses during the plan year. Premiums do not count toward your out-of-pocket maximum.
Referral: A formal recommendation from your primary care doctor to see another provider, like a specialist, for further evaluation or treatment.
Order: Instruction for a procedure, diagnostic service, lab test or other planned service.
Pre-certification: Approval from Centivo, your health plan administrator, for a specific service such as a surgery.