Once you understand the different parts of your health insurance costs you’ll want to know how these work together and what your out-of-pocket costs may be. Here are a few examples of how deductibles, coinsurance and maximum limits work together.
Example #1: Deductibles, Coinsurance and Out-of-Pocket Maximums
Your health insurance plan has a:
- $5,000 deductible
- 20% coinsurance
- Out-of-pocket maximum of $6,000
This means:
- You must pay the first $5,000 of your medical costs.
- After that, your plan covers 80% of the costs, and you pay the other 20%.
- When the amount of coinsurance you've paid reaches $6,000, the plan covers 100% until your "plan year" renews. A plan is good for one year.
At the start of each year, your deductible and coinsurance resets for the next plan year and the $5,000 deductible and 20% coinsurance will start again.
Example #2: Coinsurance After You've Met Your Deductible
You bruise your hip in a fall and you need an X-ray. You've met your annual $5,000 deductible so your plan now pays for benefits. What you pay to see your doctor depends on your coinsurance, which in our example, is 20%.
Here's how the costs might break down:
- The X-ray costs $200.
- Your plan covers 80%, which is $160.
- Your out-of-pocket cost, or coinsurance, is $40.
Example #3: Maximum Limits
Your plan covers up to a certain amount for tests, procedures and medical services. These limits help keep rates fair and reasonable, which helps lower costs for all members.
Let's say your doctor charges more for an X-ray.
- Your plan covers a maximum of $200 for an X-ray.
- Your doctor charges $300.
- You may have to pay the $100 difference.