How to pick a health insurance plan

The amount you pay for your health insurance every month. In addition to your premium, you usually have to pay other costs for your health care, including a deductible, copayments, and coinsurance. If you have a Marketplace health plan, you may be able to lower your costs with a premium tax credit.

Refer to glossary for more details.

and very high deductibles

The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself.

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. They may be an affordable way to protect yourself from worst-case scenarios, like getting seriously sick or injured.

If you qualify for premium tax credits

A tax credit you can use to lower your monthly insurance payment (called your “premium”) when you enroll in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Your tax credit is based on the income estimate and household information you put on your Marketplace application.

Refer to glossary for more details.

cost-sharing reductions

A discount that lowers the amount you have to pay for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. In the Health Insurance Marketplace®, cost-sharing reductions are often called “extra savings.” If you qualify, you must enroll in a plan in the Silver category to get the extra savings.

Refer to glossary for more details.

a Bronze or Silver plan may be a better value. Be sure to compare.

Who can get a Catastrophic plan

What Catastrophic plans cover

Catastrophic plans cover the same 10 essential health benefits as other Marketplace plans, including preventive services

Routine health care that includes screenings, check-ups, and patient counseling to prevent illnesses, disease, or other health problems.

Refer to glossary for more details.

at no cost. They also cover at least 3 primary care visits per year before you've met your deductible.