What is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)? | Anthem (2024)

How Do High-Deductible Health Plans Work?

The amount of your yearly deductible depends on the plan you choose. The higher the deductible, the more out-of-pocket costs you pay before your insurer begins covering medical expenses.

The IRS defines high-deductible health plans for 2023 as:

  • Individual plans with deductibles of at least $1,500
  • Family plans with deductibles of at least $3,000

The plan’s out-of-pocket maximum must be no higher than $7,500 for an individual plan and $15,000 for a family plan.

High-Deductible Health Plan Pros And Cons

Pros

Lower premiums. Pay less for health coverage monthly.

Tax-free spending account option. Eligible HDHPs help you save on medical expenses when paired with an HSA.

Cons

Higher deductible. You pay more toward your deductible before your healthcare plan begins paying for covered costs.

More out-of-pocket expenses. You may pay more out of pocket for non-preventive healthcare until you reach your plan’s yearly deductible amount.

Why Choose A High-Deductible Health Plan?

You mainly need health insurance for preventive care

If you expect to need health insurance mostly for preventive care, like annual checkups with your doctor, then you could benefit from lower monthly premiums offered with an HDHP.

You have a health savings account (HSA)

With some HDHPs, you can use an HSA to help pay for eligible medical expenses. The money deposited into an HSA is tax-free, which can help you save money. A high-deductible health plan paired with an HSA is also known as a consumer-driven health plan.

More About Consumer-Driven Health Plans

A consumer-driven health plan (CDHP) is a high-deductible health insurance plan that allows individuals and families to set aside pre-tax money to help pay for qualified medical expenses. CDHPs are HDHPs paired with HSAs. Members may use the pre-tax funds from their HSA to pay for medical expenses, like copays and other costs, not covered by their health insurance plan.

What is the difference between an HDHP and a CDHP?

You can sign up for an HDHP for you and your family without using an HSA. A CDHP incorporates the added benefit of an HSA to help with medical expenses.

How Do High-Deductible Health Plans Compare To Other Health Plans?

HDHPs (High-Deductible Health Plans) are available as PPO or HMO plans. Here are a few key details of each type.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans may offer:

  • Higher premiums – pay more monthly for your plan
  • Lower deductibles – pay less out of pocket for medical costs
  • Flexible provider network – access to a large number of doctors and hospitals

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans may offer:

  • Lower premiums – pay less monthly for your plan
  • Higher deductibles — pay more out of pocket for medical costs
  • Most Anthem HMO plans are open access, meaning they do not require a referral to see a specialist

We Can Help You Navigate Your Health Insurance Options

Count on our experience and support to enroll in health coverage. We can help you choose a health insurance plan with Anthem and guide you through the process.

What is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)? | Anthem (2024)

FAQs

What is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)? | Anthem? ›

A high-deductible health plan (HDHP) is a type of health insurance that can offer lower monthly premiums. You may want to understand how HDHPs work, the pros and cons of the plan depending on your situation, and how a health savings account (HSA) can be funded with pre-tax dollars to pay for medical expenses.

What is considered high-deductible health plan HDHP? ›

Save for your deductible

You will have more than 60% of this amount saved in your HSA. Per IRS guidelines in 2025, an HDHP is a health insurance plan with a deductible of at least $1,650 if you have an individual plan or a deductible of at least $3,300 if you have a family plan.

What is a high-deductible health plan quizlet? ›

High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) health plan that combines high deductible insurance and a funding option to pay for patients out of pocket expenses up to the deductible. lower premiums and higher deductibles than a traditional health plan.

What is a high deductible health account? ›

A High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) is a health plan product that combines a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Health Reimbursem*nt Arrangement (HRA), traditional medical coverage and a tax-advantaged way to help save for future medical expenses while providing flexibility and discretion over how you use your health ...

How do I know if I had a high deductible plan? ›

In most cases, your health insurer or your employer can confirm if you are enrolled in a qualifying high-deductible health plan. Oftentimes, this information is included in the declaration page of your policy or in another official correspondence.

What qualifies as a high-deductible health plan in 2024? ›

For calendar year 2024, a “high deductible health plan” is defined under § 223(c)(2)(A) as a health plan with an annual deductible that is not less than $1,600 for self-only coverage or $3,200 for family coverage, and for which the annual out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, co-payments, and other amounts, but not ...

Is a 5000 deductible high for health insurance? ›

For families, the deductible has to be at least $2,700, with a $13,500 max out-of-pocket. Many high deductible plans actually have a much higher deductible ($5,000-$7,000).

Is the high-deductible health plan worth it? ›

A high-deductible health plan can make sense for you if: You're healthy and rarely get sick or injured. You have no existing medical conditions. You can afford to pay the high deductible out of your pocket if an unexpected medical expense arises.

What does the IRS consider a high-deductible health plan? ›

An HDHP is health coverage with a: Higher annual deductible than typical health plans and. Maximum limit on the sum of the annual deductible and out-of-pocket medical expenses that the taxpayer must pay for covered expenses. Out-of-pocket expenses include copayments and cost sharing but do not include premiums.

Do I want a high or low health insurance deductible? ›

Low deductibles are best when an illness or injury requires extensive medical care. High-deductible plans offer more manageable premiums and access to HSAs. HSAs offer a trio of tax benefits and can be a source of retirement income.

What are the disadvantages of a high-deductible health plan? ›

HDHPs do have some downsides, including:
  • Some Individuals May Avoid Healthcare Treatment Due to High Costs. ...
  • It Is More Expensive to Manage a Chronic Illness With an HDHP. ...
  • Few Exceptions to the Deductible Rules. ...
  • Premium Costs and Deductible Levels Seem to Rise Every Year. ...
  • Contributions to Your HSA Are Capped.
Dec 21, 2023

Can I cash out my HSA when I leave my job? ›

Yes, you can cash out your HSA at any time. However, any funds withdrawn for costs other than qualified medical expenses will result in the IRS imposing a 20% tax penalty. If you leave your job, you don't have to cash out your HSA.

Is ppo a HDHP? ›

An HDHP can be an HMO, POS, PPO or EPO.

What does the IRS consider a HDHP? ›

An HDHP is health coverage with a: Higher annual deductible than typical health plans and. Maximum limit on the sum of the annual deductible and out-of-pocket medical expenses that the taxpayer must pay for covered expenses. Out-of-pocket expenses include copayments and cost sharing but do not include premiums.

Is 3000 deductible high? ›

The IRS defines high-deductible health plans for 2023 as: Individual plans with deductibles of at least $1,500. Family plans with deductibles of at least $3,000.

Is a PPO deductible higher than HDHP? ›

On the flip side, a traditional PPO plan typically has a lower deductible and lower out-of-pocket maximum than an HDHP. For example, let's say you receive a medical bill for $5,000. Under an HDHP, your deductible might be $3,000.

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