---
title: "What Is Coinsurance? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Coinsurance is your share of a covered dental bill, shown as a percentage. The plan pays the rest, usually after you pay your deductible."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/coinsurance
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Insurance and Billing

# Coinsurance

Coinsurance is your share of a covered dental bill, shown as a percentage. The plan pays the rest, usually after you pay your deductible.

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](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/basic-services-benefit), and a lower share again for [major services](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/major-services-benefit). 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](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/patients/insurance-and-financing) has the practice's own information.

## Related terms

-   [Copay](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/copay)
-   [Deductible](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/deductible)
-   [Annual maximum](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/annual-maximum)
-   [Dental insurance](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-insurance)
-   [Major services benefit](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/major-services-benefit)

## Sources

1.  [HealthCare.gov Glossary: Co Insurance](https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/co-insurance/)
2.  [National Association of Dental Plans: Glossary of Dental Insurance Terms](https://www.nadp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GlossaryInsuranceTerms_updated_12_31_20.pdf)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)