What is the purpose of a copayment in vision insurance?

The purpose of a copayment in vision insurance is to require the patient to pay part of the bill for specific services, such as eye exams or consultations. This cost-sharing mechanism is designed to make patients more responsible for their healthcare spending while also helping insurance companies manage their expenses. By having the patient contribute to the cost, it can discourage unnecessary visits and procedures while ensuring that the patient remains engaged in their care.

In contrast, covering the full cost of an eye exam would negate the purpose of a copayment, as it would not involve any out-of-pocket expense from the patient. Providing additional coverage for glasses pertains to benefit offerings within the policy rather than the function of copayments. Setting the premium amount for the policy is a separate aspect of insurance financing and does not relate directly to the copayment feature, which is specifically about individual service costs.