This glossary covers some of the commonly used terms and phrases used in health insurance documents. It is not a full list but is intended to provide you with definitions of terms you are likely to see as you begin to use your health insurance.

You should read all the documents provided to you by your health insurance company and contact them if there are any terms you don’t understand.

Premium: the amount you must pay each month to keep your health insurance. Failure to pay required premiums could result in your health insurance being canceled.

Deductible: depending on which plan you pick, you may have to “meet a deductible” before your health insurance company pays for the cost of your health care. For example, if you have a $500 deductible, you must pay the first $500 of health care services that you receive from a doctor or hospital. Then your health insurance company will pay for your health care services. Some health care services do not require you to meet your deductible and will be covered by your health insurance company from the start.

Copayment or copay: a fee you pay for health care at the time of a service. For example, if you visit the doctor for a sinus infection, you would be required to pay a small amount of the cost of the visit. Usually, but not always, copay amounts are between $10 and $50, depending on the health care service.

Coinsurance: similar to a copayment, coinsurance is a payment that you are required to make at the time you receive a health care service. Unlike a copayment, however, coinsurance is a percentage of the cost of the health care service you receive. For example, if the health care service you receive costs $100 and you are required to pay 10% coinsurance, you would pay $10.

In network: your health insurance plan contracts with specific doctors, hospitals and other types of health care professionals to deliver health care. When you select an insurance plan, you have access to these providers at a lower cost than if you went to a provider who is not in the insurance plan’s network.

If you go to a health care provider who is out of the plan’s network, you will have to pay more of the cost of your care or possibly all of the cost of the care you receive. Check with your insurance company before you make an appointment with a provider to confirm that he or she is in the plan’s network.

Out of network: your health insurance plan contracts with specific doctors, hospitals and other types of health care professionals to deliver health care. When you select an insurance plan, you have access to these providers at a lower cost than if you went to a provider who is not in the insurance plan’s network.

If you go to a health care provider who is out of the plan’s network, you will have to pay more of the cost of your care or possibly all of the cost of the care you receive. Check with your insurance company before you make an appointment with a provider to confirm that he or she is in the plan’s network.

Primary care provider (PCP): after you choose a health insurance plan and pay your premium you should select a primary care provider who will be your main point of contact for your health care services. He or she will provide routine medical care, including annual check-ups, and help you determine if care from a specialist or other type of health care professional is required.

Contact your health insurance plan for assistance in finding a primary care provider who meets your needs and is accepting new patients.