Coinsurance

Coinsurance is the percentage of a covered service's cost that you pay. If a plan covers 80 percent of a filling, your coinsurance is 20 percent. It usually applies after you pay your deductible.

The percentage often depends on the type of care. Many plans pay a higher share for preventive care, a lower share for basic services, and a lower share again for major services. The percentage is applied to the plan's allowed amount, not always to what the dentist charges.

Coinsurance is different from a copay, which is a fixed dollar amount. Your annual maximum limits how much the plan pays in total. Read your benefit summary for your own percentages. The insurance and financing page has the practice's own information.