Glossary · Costs
What is a deductible?
A deductible is the amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself.
Definition and figures from HealthCare.gov glossary, CMS fact sheet, IRS Publication 969 (2025), checked October 23, 2026. This page explains the term; it does not recommend a plan.
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Deductible: the facts
| Item | Fact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Example from HealthCare.gov | $2,000 deductible: you pay the first $2,000 of covered services | HealthCare.gov glossary: Deductible |
| Marketplace preventive care | Marketplace plans pay for certain preventive benefits before you meet your deductible | HealthCare.gov glossary: Deductible |
| Medicare Part B deductible (2026) | $283 per year | CMS fact sheet: 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles (Nov 14, 2025) |
| Medicare Part A deductible (2026) | $1,736 per inpatient hospital benefit period | CMS fact sheet: 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles (Nov 14, 2025) |
| HDHP minimum deductible (2026) | $1,700 self-only, $3,400 family | IRS Publication 969 (2025): HSAs and other tax-favored health plans |
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Related terms
Questions
What does deductible mean in health insurance?
A deductible is the amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself.
Do premiums count toward the deductible?
No. The premium is what you pay each month to have coverage. The deductible is what you pay for covered care before the plan pays.
Can a plan have more than one deductible?
Yes. Some plans have a separate deductible for prescription drugs, and family plans often have an individual and a family deductible.