What is a deductible and how does it work?

A deductible is the amount of money an individual must pay for covered healthcare services before their insurance plan starts to contribute. When a person receives medical services, they are responsible for paying this predetermined deductible amount out of pocket. Once their deductible is met, their insurance benefits come into effect, and they will make co-payments or coinsurance payments as outlined in their plan. Deductibles usually reset annually. For example, if someone has a $1,000 deductible, they must pay for the first $1,000 of covered services before their insurance coverage applies. It is important to note that some preventive services may be exempt from deductibles and covered at no cost to the insured.