US Medical Term · insurance
Secondary Insurance
Seguro secundario
Also: Seguro médico secundario (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Secondary Insurance |
| Spanish (Español) | Seguro secundario |
| Chinese (中文) | 次要保險 |
| Korean (한국어) | 2차 보험 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Bảo hiểm thứ cấp |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Pangalawang insurance |
| Portuguese (Português) | Seguro secundário |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ประกันสุขภาพรอง |
| Japanese (日本語) | 第二保険 |
What it means
Secondary insurance is a health insurance plan that pays after your primary insurance has processed a claim. When you have two health plans — for example, your own employer plan and coverage through a spouse — they coordinate benefits so that together they may cover more of your costs than either plan alone. The secondary plan typically covers some or all of what the primary plan did not pay, including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Coordination of benefits rules determine which plan pays first. Having secondary insurance does not mean all your costs are covered, but it can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. You must enroll in and actively use both plans.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have secondary insurance — can you bill my secondary plan after processing my primary claim?
Tengo seguro secundario — ¿pueden facturar a mi plan secundario después de procesar mi reclamo principal?
How does coordination of benefits work between my primary and secondary insurance?
¿Cómo funciona la coordinación de beneficios entre mi seguro primario y secundario?
What amount will my secondary insurance cover after my primary plan pays?
¿Qué monto cubrirá mi seguro secundario después de que pague mi plan principal?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026