Interactive infographic
Low Premium or Low Deductible? Compare Health Plans
Compare two health insurance plans by their total yearly cost, premiums plus what you pay for care, before open enrollment ends.
What this infographic shows
The cheapest health plan is the one with the lowest total cost for the year you actually have. Every plan has two kinds of cost: premiums, which you pay every month no matter what, and your share of medical bills, which depends on how much care you use.
The chart shows each plan’s total yearly cost as medical bills rise:
- Indigo: Plan A, a lower premium and a higher deductible.
- Teal: Plan B, a higher premium and a lower deductible.
- Amber line: the medical bills you set.
Each line rises while you pay toward the deductible and coinsurance, then goes flat at the out-of-pocket maximum.
How to use it
- Copy the monthly premium, deductible and out-of-pocket maximum of two real plans you are comparing.
- Move the medical bills slider from a quiet year to a bad year.
- Look for where the lines cross. That is the level of bills at which the other plan becomes cheaper.
The infographic assumes you pay 20% coinsurance after the deductible. Real plans differ, and many charge fixed copays for visits and prescriptions instead.
This is an educational illustration, not insurance advice. The starting numbers are examples, not real plans. Check each plan’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage before you choose.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a premium and a deductible?
The premium is what you pay every month to have insurance, whether or not you use it. The deductible is how much you pay for covered care yourself before the plan starts paying.
Is a high-deductible plan worth it?
It can be if you expect few medical bills, because the lower premium saves money every month. If you expect surgery, a pregnancy or ongoing treatment, a lower deductible often costs less overall.
What is an out-of-pocket maximum?
The most you will pay for covered, in-network care in one plan year. After you reach it, the plan pays 100% of covered costs. Premiums do not count toward it.
When is open enrollment for 2027 health insurance?
On HealthCare.gov it runs from November 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. State marketplaces can set different dates.
Sources
Text version of this infographic
Low premium or low deductible?
The cheaper plan depends on how much care you use. Set two plans, then move the medical bills slider.
Medical bills this year
Plan A: lower premium
Monthly premium
Deductible
Out-of-pocket maximum
Plan B: lower deductible
Monthly premium
Deductible
Out-of-pocket maximum
Plan A, whole year
Plan B, whole year
$0 of bills $60,000
Plan A total cost
Plan B total cost
Your bills