Health care costs are substantial and can change dramatically from year-to-year. One family with a chronic condition may be more likely to experience higher medical expenses than another, even if both families have had the same health care coverage.
You can use a tool, such as KFF's Marketplace Calculator, to find an affordable plan of health insurance that meets your needs and fits within your budget. This site provides consumers with information about deductibles, maximum out-of pocket costs and other cost sharing options.
Average Health Insurance Deductible
A deductible refers to the amount of money you have to pay yourself before your insurer will start paying. You and your insurance company will usually share the costs of medical services up until the deductible is reached. Once you've reached this level, it is your health insurance that pays the rest.
You can select a high-deductible or low-deductible plan. Low deductible plans usually have lower premiums but will cost you more if you fall ill or need to pay for a medical emergency.
Individuals and families with the most expensive plans have a minimum annual deductible amount of $1700. Lively CEO Ryan Wiik says that Obamacare plans have the highest deductibles, with some options having an average deductible as high as $4,000 or even more.
Bronze-tier plans are relatively affordable if you don't use prescriptions or expect to need many medical services. Bronze-tier plans have higher deductibles, but the premiums are often lower than other tiers of coverage. Bronze-tier plans may have deductibles equal to the maximum limit of $7,900 set by law for 2019.