capitation
noun
cap·i·ta·tion
ˌka-pə-ˈtā-shən 
Examples of capitation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That is where capitation re-enters the conversation.
—
Robert Pearl, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
The crux of the UnitedHealth crash lies in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Advance Notice for Calendar Year 2027 Medicare Advantage capitation rates, released January 26, 2026.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
This increase is primarily attributed to growth in capitation revenue due to recent acquisitions.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
However, despite the clear drawbacks of the fee-for-service model and the benefits of capitation, the transition has been slow.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
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Robert Pearl, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
The crux of the UnitedHealth crash lies in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Advance Notice for Calendar Year 2027 Medicare Advantage capitation rates, released January 26, 2026.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
This increase is primarily attributed to growth in capitation revenue due to recent acquisitions.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
However, despite the clear drawbacks of the fee-for-service model and the benefits of capitation, the transition has been slow.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Capitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capitation. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
capitation
noun
cap·i·ta·tion
ˌkap-ə-ˈtā-shən
1
: a fixed per capita payment made periodically to a medical service provider (as a physician) by a managed care group (as an HMO) in return for medical care provided to enrolled individuals
2
: a capitated health care system
Legal Definition
capitation
noun
cap·i·ta·tion
ˌka-pə-ˈtā-shən
1
: a direct uniform tax imposed on each head or person : poll tax
no capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid—U.S. Constitution art. I
U.S. Constitution art. I2
: a uniform per person payment or fee
Etymology
Late Latin capitatio, from Latin caput head
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