Who is responsible for coinsurance under Medicare?

The patient is responsible for coinsurance under Medicare because coinsurance is a cost-sharing structure that requires beneficiaries to pay a certain percentage of the covered healthcare services after their deductible has been met. In the context of Medicare, once a patient has enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B, they may be required to pay coinsurance for certain services, which means they are financially responsible for a portion of those costs, typically a set percentage of the billed amount, depending on the specific services rendered.

This system is designed to encourage beneficiaries to share in the costs of their healthcare, thereby fostering more prudent use of medical services. Coinsurance amounts can vary based on the specific Medicare plan and the type of service being received, thus emphasizing the patient’s financial responsibility in the healthcare payment process.