The cost of having a health insurance plan. This is separate from your deductible or any HSA contributions and is paid out of your paycheck.

A set dollar amount that a person must pay before the insurance company will pay, usually charged on an annual basis. Almost all private and employer health plans have deductibles.

• Non-Embedded Deductible: for anyone with dependents on their plan, there is only a family deductible. All family members’ expenses go towards the family deductible until it is met, then the whole family is covered with the plan’s copays or coinsurance.
• Embedded Deductible: has two components: individual deductibles and family deductible. When a family member meets the individual deductible, they get insurance coverage, even if the family deductible hasn’t been met yet. That individual’s expenses still count towards the family deductible.

The most that will ever be paid out of pocket in each plan year.

The money that an individual is required to pay for services after the deductible is met. It is often a percentage of charges.

A fixed amount you pay for a covered healthcare service (ex: $20 copay per office visit), usually when you receive the service.

All healthcare will be within a specific network. You will choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP), and they will refer you to specialists or hospitals when necessary. This is more limited than a PPO but is generally has less expensive premiums.

A type of health plan that contracts with medical providers to create a national network of participating providers. You pay less if you use providers that belong to that network but have the option of using out of network providers for a higher cost. Referrals are usually not required, and this provides more flexibility than an HMO, but it is also usually has more expensive premiums.

A type of insurance plan that often has lower premiums but higher deductibles. Both HMOs and PPOs can be an HDHP.