This content is for general informational purposes and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Healthcare rules and costs change annually. Last reviewed: January 1, 2025. Always verify current details with your insurer, employer, or a licensed healthcare navigator.
Coordination of Benefits
Rules that determine which insurer pays first when you're covered by more than one health plan.
Full Definition
Coordination of Benefits (COB) is the process used when a person is covered by more than one health insurance plan — for example, through both your own employer and your spouse's employer. COB rules determine which plan is 'primary' (pays first) and which is 'secondary' (pays some or all of the remaining costs). The primary plan pays as if there's no other coverage; the secondary plan may pay some of the remaining amount. Total payments across both plans typically cannot exceed 100% of the total bill.
Real-World Example
You and your spouse are both covered under your own employers' plans. Your plan is primary; your spouse's is secondary. After your primary plan pays $700 of a $900 bill, your secondary plan may cover some or all of the remaining $200.
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