US Medical Term · insurance
Coordination of Benefits
Coordinación de beneficios
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Coordination of Benefits |
| Spanish (Español) | Coordinación de beneficios |
| Chinese (中文) | 福利協調 |
| Korean (한국어) | 급여 조정 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Phối hợp quyền lợi |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Koordinasyon ng mga benepisyo |
| Portuguese (Português) | Coordenação de benefícios |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การประสานสิทธิ์ประโยชน์ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 給付調整 |
What it means
Coordination of benefits (COB) is a process used when a patient is covered by more than one health insurance plan. It determines which plan pays first (the primary plan) and which pays second (the secondary plan) to avoid overpayment. The combined payments from both plans typically cannot exceed the total allowed charges. For example, if you are covered by your own employer plan and your spouse's plan, COB rules decide the order of payment. You must notify both insurers about dual coverage. COB can reduce or eliminate your out-of-pocket costs when handled correctly.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have two insurance plans — how does coordination of benefits work?
Tengo dos planes de seguro — ¿cómo funciona la coordinación de beneficios?
Which of my two plans is primary and which is secondary for coordination?
¿Cuál de mis dos planes es el primario y cuál el secundario para la coordinación?
I notified both insurers about my dual coverage — can you confirm coordination of benefits is set up?
Notifiqué a ambas aseguradoras sobre mi cobertura dual — ¿puede confirmar que la coordinación de beneficios está configurada?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026