What is the term for the amount an insured must pay before the insurance company begins to pay claims?

The correct term for the amount an insured must pay before the insurance company starts to cover claims is "deductible." A deductible is a specified amount that the insured is responsible for paying out of their own pocket for healthcare services before their health insurance kicks in to cover the remaining costs.

This concept is fundamental in health insurance as it determines the initial financial burden placed on the insured before they can receive benefits from their plan. For instance, if a person's deductible is $1,000, they will need to spend that amount on covered healthcare services before their insurance will pay for subsequent costs.

In contrast, copayment refers specifically to a set fee the insured pays for particular services, coinsurance is the percentage of costs the insured must pay after meeting the deductible, and premium is the regular payment made to maintain the health insurance policy, which does not count towards out-of-pocket costs for care.