---
title: "What Is Copay? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A copay is a fixed dollar amount you pay for a covered dental visit or service, set by your plan, no matter what the dentist charges."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/copay
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Insurance and Billing

# Copay

A copay is a fixed dollar amount you pay for a covered dental visit or service, set by your plan, no matter what the dentist charges.

A copay, or copayment, is a fixed amount you pay for a covered service, such as a flat amount for a visit. The amount is set in your policy and may be listed on your insurance card.

Copays are more common in dental HMO plans, where each service has a set dollar amount. PPO and indemnity plans more often use a percentage, called [coinsurance](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/coinsurance). With a PPO, a copay may apply after you meet your [deductible](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/deductible).

The copay is your share only. The plan pays the rest of the covered amount under its rules. A copay does not count toward your [premium](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/premium), which you pay separately. See DHMO plans and PPO plans for how plan types differ. For this office's details, see the [insurance and financing page](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/patients/insurance-and-financing).

## Related terms

-   [Coinsurance](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/coinsurance)
-   [Deductible](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/deductible)
-   [DHMO (dental HMO)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dhmo-dental-hmo)
-   [PPO dental plan](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/ppo-dental-plan)
-   [Premium](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/premium)

## Sources

1.  [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)