Glossary · Costs
What is a total cost estimate?
A total cost estimate is the amount you may pay for a plan before you have the coverage: generally the premium plus the deductible, out-of-pocket costs, and any copayments or coinsurance.
Definition and figures from HealthCare.gov glossary, checked October 23, 2026. This page explains the term; it does not recommend a plan.
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Rivvi explains the term from public CMS, Medicare.gov, and HealthCare.gov sources and works through an example with your numbers.
Expand my textTotal cost estimate: the facts
| Item | Fact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Formula from HealthCare.gov | Premium + deductible + out-of-pocket costs + copayments/coinsurance | HealthCare.gov glossary: Total cost estimate (for health coverage) |
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What does total cost estimate mean in health insurance?
A total cost estimate is the amount you may pay for a plan before you have the coverage: generally the premium plus the deductible, out-of-pocket costs, and any copayments or coinsurance.