Copayment (copay)

1. Specific dollar amount to be collected when services are received. For example, the patient might pay out of pocket $10 for each prescription received and the plan would pay the remaining cost of the drug. This cost-sharing arrangement is sometimes referred to as coinsurance and deductible, cooperative payment, and cost sharing. However, coinsurance has a slightly different meaning under some programs (see coinsurance). 2. Under the Medicare program, it is considered fraud to routinely waiver copayments and deductibles, regardless of need. 3. In the Medicaid program, a dollar amount that an individual must pay at each office visit for receiving medical and child care services. Different copayment amounts may be set for each patient type and certain medical procedures. Child care copayments are based on gross annual income, number in the home, and number needing child care. Note: If a health plan integrates the copayment into the membership fee, then do not collect copays from the patients (members) of the plan.

Corneal topography

Computer-assisted test of the cornea of the eye in which a special instrument projects a series of concentric light rings on the cornea creating a color map of the corneal surface and a cross-section profile. It is used to find subtle corneal surface irregularities associated with a large number of corneal disease states; also known as computer-assisted video keratography (CAVK) and corneal mapping.

Coroner

Elected or appointed public official who investigates and provides official opinions about the cause and circumstance of deaths that occur in a specific legal jurisdiction or territory, especially a death that may have occurred from unnatural causes. See also medical examiner (ME).

Corporate bonds

Loans to corporate entities based on a fixed rate for a fixed period. Bonds can be traded and the price usually changes when there is a change in prevailing rates of interest rates. Corporate bonds carry a higher risk than government stock (gilts) but are lower than shares as a company must pay off all debts before paying shareholders.