Calculate your true health insurance costs including deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket maximum. Compare plans. Free calculator. No signup required.
Choosing health insurance based only on monthly premium is one of the most expensive mistakes Americans make. A plan with a $200 lower monthly premium but $2,000 higher deductible costs more for any moderate healthcare user. Our calculator compares the true annual cost of any two plans based on your expected healthcare usage — not just the premium.
Premium: monthly payment you make regardless of care usage. Deductible: amount you pay out of pocket before insurance begins paying (resets annually). Copay: fixed amount per visit after deductible is met. Coinsurance: percentage you pay after deductible (typically 20%). Out-of-pocket maximum: most you pay in a year — after this insurance covers 100%. True annual cost = premium × 12 plus expected out-of-pocket costs.
High Deductible Health Plan HDHP: lower premium, higher deductible ($1,600+ individual 2026), qualifies for HSA contributions ($4,300 individual 2026). Best for: healthy people with low healthcare usage, those who max HSA for triple tax advantage. PPO or HMO with low deductible: higher premium, lower deductible ($500-$1,500). Best for: people with chronic conditions, frequent doctor visits, or planned major procedures.
It depends on your health usage. Healthy adults using primarily preventive care: high deductible plan $1,600-$3,000 with HSA contributions often wins. Adults with regular prescriptions, specialist visits, or chronic conditions: lower deductible $500-$1,500 plan usually wins despite higher premium. Use our calculator to find your break-even point based on your specific usage.
Once you meet your annual deductible your insurance begins sharing costs. If your plan has 20% coinsurance: insurance pays 80% of covered costs and you pay 20% until you reach your out-of-pocket maximum. After hitting the out-of-pocket maximum insurance covers 100% of covered services for the remainder of the calendar year. Deductible resets January 1.
Yes for most healthy people when combined with an HSA. The HSA allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars that grow tax-free and withdraw tax-free for medical expenses — triple tax advantage. Max HSA contribution $4,300 individual in 2026. Over 10 years HSA investments can accumulate significantly for future healthcare costs.
Yes — every FreeFixo tool, including the Health Insurance Deductible Calculator — Find Your True Annual Cost, is 100% free with no paywall, no premium tier, and no usage limits. You do not need to create an account, enter a credit card, or share an email.
The Health Insurance Deductible Calculator — Find Your True Annual Cost uses the same formulas, rates, and reference data that financial planners, professionals, and government sources publish. Results are estimates intended for planning and education — for situations involving large sums or legal consequences, confirm with a qualified professional before acting.
No signup is ever required. The Health Insurance Deductible Calculator — Find Your True Annual Cost runs entirely in your browser — your inputs are never sent to a server, and we do not store, track, or share your data. Open it, get your answer, close the tab.