Deductible - Glossary (2024)

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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Deductible - Glossary (2024)

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 the definition of a deductible? ›

Simply put, a deductible is the amount of money that the insured person must pay before their insurance policy starts paying for covered expenses.

What does 80% deductible 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 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 the best explanation for a deductible? ›

A deductible is an amount that you have to pay for health care costs before your insurance will begin to help you pay for services in a calendar year. Deductibles renew each calendar year. A copay is a fee that you pay for each doctor visit or each time you fill a prescription.

What counts to a deductible? ›

Here's what it actually means: Your annual deductible is typically the amount of money that you, as a member, pay out of pocket each year for allowed amounts for covered medical care before your health plan begins to pay. This excludes certain preventive services that may be automatically covered.

What best defines the term deductible? ›

A deductible is the amount you pay for coverage services before your health plan kicks in. After you meet your deductible, you pay a percentage of health care expenses known as coinsurance. It's like when friends in a carpool cover a portion of the gas, and you, the driver, also pay a portion.

What deductible is too high? ›

The benefits of a high-deductible versus a low-deductible medical plan. In 2023, health insurance plans with deductibles over $1,500 for an individual and $3,000 for a family are considered high-deductible plans.

Do copays go towards deductible? ›

You pay a copay at the time of service. Copays do not count toward your deductible. This means that once you reach your deductible, you will still have copays. Your copays end only when you have reached your out-of-pocket maximum.

How can I hit my deductible fast? ›

How to Meet Your Deductible
  1. Order a 90-day supply of your prescription medicine. Spend a bit of extra money now to meet your deductible and ensure you have enough medication to start the new year off right.
  2. See an out-of-network doctor. ...
  3. Pursue alternative treatment. ...
  4. Get your eyes examined.

What is the most common deductible? ›

Average Car Insurance Deductibles

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.

How is a deductible calculated? ›

Health insurance deductibles are calculated annually, with your expenses over the course of the year adding up until you've hit the limit. Once that happens, your insurance will begin covering some or all of the cost of medical treatment. The amount then resets every January 1.

What are medical deductibles for dummies? ›

A: A deductible is the amount you pay for health care services each year before your health plan starts to pay. For example, if you have a $1,500 deductible, you pay the first $1,500 of the services you need.

Can I negotiate deductible? ›

With regard to healthcare deductibles, always ask if it's possible to negotiate a payment plan. The healthcare provider cannot legally waive the deductible but they can allow you to pay it over time. The challenge comes in when a procedure involves multiple providers, such as with surgery.

How do you read a deductible? ›

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 the difference between copay and deductible? ›

A deductible is the set amount of money you pay out of pocket for covered services per plan year before your insurance starts to share costs. A copay is also a set amount of money, but it's a fixed fee attached to certain covered services. Copays don't always count towards your deductible.

What is the point of paying a deductible? ›

Deductibles cushion against financial stress caused by catastrophic loss or an accumulation of small losses all at once for an insurer. In addition to premiums, individuals must meet health insurance deductibles and may also be required for other costs like copays and coinsurance, depending on their plans.

What does a $500 deductible mean? ›

A car insurance deductible is what you have to pay out of pocket to cover damages from an accident before the insurance company covers anything. For example, if you have a $500 deductible, you'll have to pay that $500 out of pocket before your insurer will put a dime toward damages.

Does deductible mean free? ›

A deductible is a specific payment made toward the cost of a claim. In the case of health insurance, your deductible is a set dollar amount that you must pay out of your pocket before your health insurance provider will pay for certain medical services.

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