1. a tax or fee assessed equally on each person; a per-person charge
2. a payment system where healthcare providers receive a fixed amount per patient regardless of services provided
Usage: medical/insurance

Examples

• The ancient Romans imposed a capitation on all adult males in conquered territories.
• Many states have banned capitation taxes as a requirement for voting.
• The insurance company uses a capitation model to pay primary care physicians.
• Under capitation, doctors receive the same monthly payment whether they see a patient once or ten times.
• The capitation fee was set at fifty dollars per enrolled member.
• Critics argue that capitation can discourage doctors from providing necessary care.