Deductible - Glossary (2023)

The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself.

After you pay your deductible, you usually pay only a

A fixed amount ($20, for example) you pay for a covered health care service after you've paid your deductible.

Refer to glossary for more details.

or

The percentage of costs of a covered health care service you pay (20%, for example) after you've paid your deductible.

Refer to glossary for more details.

for covered services. Your insurance company pays the rest.

  • Many plans pay for certain services, like a checkup or disease management programs, before you've met your deductible. Check your plan details.
  • All Marketplace health plans pay the full cost of certain preventive benefits even before you meet your deductible.
  • Some plans have separate deductibles for certain services, like prescription drugs.
  • Family plans often have both an individual deductible, which applies to each person, and a family deductible, which applies to all family members.

Generally, plans with lower monthly

The amount you pay for your health insurance every month. In addition to your premium, you usually have to pay other costs for your health care, including a deductible, copayments, and coinsurance. If you have a Marketplace health plan, you may be able to lower your costs with a premium tax credit.

Refer to glossary for more details.

have higher deductibles. Plans with higher monthly premiums usually have lower deductibles.

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FAQs

Deductible - Glossary? ›

The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself.

What is an example of deductible? ›

A health insurance deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance kicks in. For example, if you have a $1000 deductible, and you need a $1000 MRI procedure and a $2000 surgery, you will pay $1000 out-of-pocket for the MRI, and then $0 for the surgery.

What does deductible 80% mean? ›

You have an “80/20” plan. That means your insurance company pays for 80 percent of your costs after you've met your deductible. You pay for 20 percent. Coinsurance is different and separate from any copayment. Copayment (or "copay")

What does $10 copay after deductible mean? ›

A copay after deductible is a flat fee you pay for medical service as part of a cost-sharing relationship in which you and your health insurance provider must pay for your medical expenses. Deductibles, coinsurance, and copays are all examples of cost sharing.

What are the different types of deductibles? ›

There are two types of health insurance deductibles: individual and family deductibles. A health insurance plan can have either one of these or a combination of the two. The individual deductible is straightforward, but the family deductible is more complex.

What is a deductible for dummies? ›

The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself. A fixed amount ($20, for example) you pay for a covered health care service after you've paid your deductible.

What is deductible in simple terms? ›

A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of your own pocket toward a covered claim. It is a key feature of many types of insurance coverage.

Is a $6000 deductible high? ›

For 2022, the IRS defines a high deductible health plan as any plan with a deductible of at least $1,400 for an individual or $2,800 for a family. An HDHP's total yearly out-of-pocket expenses (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) can't be more than $7,050 for an individual or $14,100 for a family.

What is a good deductible amount? ›

Generally, drivers tend to have average deductibles of $500. Common deductible amounts also include $250, $1000, and $2000, according to WalletHub. You can also select separate comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles.

What does deductible 100% mean? ›

A deductible is the amount you pay for health care services before your health insurance begins to pay. How it works: If your plan's deductible is $1,500, you'll pay 100 percent of eligible health care expenses until the bills total $1,500. After that, you share the cost with your plan by paying coinsurance.

Do you still pay copay before deductible? ›

A fixed amount ($20, for example) you pay for a covered health care service after you've paid your deductible. The maximum amount a plan will pay for a covered health care service.

Is it better to have high deductible or copay? ›

A high deductible plan may seem cheaper at first, but it can expose you to higher financial risk if you have a major health issue or an unexpected emergency. A low copay plan may seem more expensive at first, but it can protect you from high medical bills and help you manage your cash flow better.

Do copays go away after deductible? ›

Copayments generally don't contribute towards reaching your deductible. Some insurance plans won't charge a copay until after your deductible is met. (Once that happens, your provider may charge a copay as well as coinsurance, which is another out-of-pocket expense.)

What are the 3 reasons for deductibles? ›

The reasons for deductibles are to eliminate small claims, which helps keep premiums affordable, and to reduce moral and morale hazard.

Is it better to have a $500 or $1000 deductible? ›

A $1,000 deductible is better than a $500 deductible if you can afford the increased out-of-pocket cost in the event of an accident, because a higher deductible means you'll pay lower premiums. Choosing an insurance deductible depends on the size of your emergency fund and how much you can afford for monthly premiums.

What is the most common insurance deductible? ›

Deductible choices typically range from $250 to $2,000, with $500 representing the most common deductible choice. A lower deductible—such as $250 or $500—will mean higher auto insurance rates. That's because the lower the deductible, the more your car insurance company will need to pay out if you make a claim.

What are examples of insurance deductibles? ›

For example, if you have a health insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible and you receive a medical bill for $2,000, you would be responsible for paying the first $1,000 and your insurance would cover the remaining $1,000.

What is the most common deductible? ›

Generally, drivers tend to have average deductibles of $500. Common deductible amounts also include $250, $1000, and $2000, according to WalletHub. You can also select separate comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles.

What is a good deductible to have? ›

You'll also want to figure out how much a higher deductible may save you in premiums and compare that to how much you'd save in an accident with a lower deductible. The most common deductible amount is $500, but companies usually offer deductibles ranging from $100 to over $2,000.

Is $1000 a high deductible? ›

For 2022, the IRS defines a high deductible health plan as any plan with a deductible of at least $1,400 for an individual or $2,800 for a family. An HDHP's total yearly out-of-pocket expenses (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) can't be more than $7,050 for an individual or $14,100 for a family.

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