What is "coordination of benefits"?

Coordination of benefits is a process used by insurance companies to determine the order in which multiple insurance plans pay for covered services when a person is covered by more than one health insurance policy. This process ensures that claims are processed correctly and payments are made in a manner that prevents overpayment and duplication of benefits.

When one insurance plan is designated as the primary plan, it pays first, followed by the secondary plan, which may cover additional costs that the primary plan did not pay. This system helps to manage the total costs of healthcare more effectively and ensures that insured individuals receive the benefits they are entitled to without exceeding the maximum benefits set by the policies.

The other options, while potentially related to insurance practices, do not accurately describe what coordination of benefits entails. For example, lowering premiums relates to pricing strategies rather than the payment process for claims. Sharing benefits among family members does not reflect the specific financial coordination between different plans. Similarly, the coordination of care, while important in health management, does not address the way multiple insurance policies interact financially.