A system of payment to physicians for medical care of patients. The physician receives a fixed sum of money for each patient assigned to the doctor’s panel of patients, regardless of the amount of medical care required by the patient. The patient is charged for the fixed capitation fee at regular intervals, e.g. ninthly or quarterly. A capitation fee system may be used by ‘Health Maintenance Organizations.
The amount paid a health care provider annually from each patient in a medical group plan.
In England, this refers to the payment made to a family doctor within the National Health Service for each patient on their roster.