Tip 87- What Are ‘Split’ Office Visit Co-Pays?

Your insurer’s ID card often makes reference to office visit co‐pays. Maybe it says something
like $25.00/$50.00.

Usually the first (lower) number is your co‐pay for visits to a Primary Care Physician or PCP. The
second (higher) number is your co‐pay when seeing a specialist.

Why the difference?

Evidence based medicine strongly suggests that even chronic health conditions are best
managed by your Primary Care Physician. The lower PCP co‐pay is your insurer’s way of
incenting you to seek most care from your internist, family or general practitioner.