Can you have a coinsurance without a deductible?

Asked by: Jacey Rau  |  Last update: January 25, 2026
Score: 5/5 (32 votes)

These plans often come with higher monthly premiums, but they can be worth it if you want care right away. Even without a deductible, you'll still have coinsurance, meaning you share some costs with your insurance, just like with other plans.

Is coinsurance always after deductible?

Another key difference between coinsurance and copays is that coinsurance applies only after you've met your deductible, while a copay can apply both before and after you've met your deductible.

Is a $0 deductible good for insurance?

Comments Section $0 deductible is very uncommon and you pay a lot to have it that low. Most would be $500 or greater to strike the balance. $0 deductible implies you want insurance to pay for every small thing. That costs them money. $500 deductible implies you'll only use insurance when a major issue happens.

Is it better to have a copay or coinsurance?

Is it better to have a $700 Co-Pay for your hospital visit or a 30% Co-Insurance? Again, the Co-Pay is going to be less expensive. Co-Pays are going to be a fixed dollar amount that is almost always less expensive than the percentage amount you would pay. A plan with Co-Pays is better than a plan with Co-Insurances.

Can you have insurance without a deductible?

Having zero-deductible car insurance means you selected coverage options that don't require you to pay any amount up front toward a covered claim. For example, say you opted for collision coverage with no deductible. If you have a covered claim for $1,500 in repairs, your insurer would reimburse you the full $1,500.

Copay vs Coinsurance | How to Save Money on Healthcare Costs

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What is coinsurance with no deductible?

Even without a deductible, you'll still have coinsurance, meaning you share some costs with your insurance, just like with other plans.

Is deductible mandatory?

Depending on your policy, and the types of coverages you have, a deductible may be required. With an auto insurance policy, coverages like comprehensive and collision may require a deductible before said coverages apply in the event of a covered incident.

What is a good amount for coinsurance?

Until you reach your deductible, you'll pay for 100% of out-of-pocket costs. After you meet your deductible, you and your insurance company each pay a share of the costs that add up to 100 percent. Typical coinsurance ranges from 20% to 40% for the member, with your health plan paying the rest.

What if I need surgery but can't afford my deductible?

In cases like this, we recommend contacting your insurance, surgeon, or hospital and asking if they can help you with a payment plan. Remember that your surgery provider wants to get paid so they may be very willing to work with you on a payment plan.

Do you pay coinsurance or deductible first?

The percentage of costs of a covered health care service you pay (20%, for example) after you've paid your deductible.

Is an hmo or ppo better?

HMO plans typically have lower monthly premiums. You can also expect to pay less out of pocket. PPOs tend to have higher monthly premiums in exchange for the flexibility to use providers both in and out of network without a referral. Out-of-pocket medical costs can also run higher with a PPO plan.

Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?

Remember that filing small claims may affect how much you have to pay for insurance later. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on the cost of your insurance premium payments.

What does 100% coinsurance mean?

What does it mean to have a 100% coinsurance? Unfortunately, if you have a 100% coinsurance, this means that you are responsible for the entire service fee. This will be paid out-of-pocket and likely does not have any eligibility for reimbursement.

What are the rules for coinsurance?

Coinsurance is the percentage under an insurance plan that the insured person pays toward a covered expense or service. Coinsurance kicks in after the policy deductible is satisfied. One of the most common coinsurance breakdowns is the 80/20 split: The insurer pays 80%, the insured 20%.

Do ER visits go towards deductible?

A deductible is a specified amount that you must pay annually for your medical care before your health insurance pays any of your medical expenses. Importantly, if you obtain emergency treatment at the beginning of your policy year, those bills will likely go toward meeting your deductible.

Is coinsurance considered out-of-pocket?

Out-of-pocket costs include deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for covered services plus all costs for services that aren't covered.

What happens if you don't have a deductible?

Impact on finances: Choosing a no-deductible plan means you'll pay more each month, but you'll be protected from some large medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses. In contrast, high-deductible plans can help you lower your monthly bills, but major medical problems could result in large out-of-pocket expenses.

What happens if you get surgery and can't pay?

You can take steps to make sure that the medical bill is correctly calculated and that you get any available financial or necessary legal help. If you do nothing and don't pay, you could be facing late fees and interest, debt collection, lawsuits, garnishments, and lower credit scores.

Can my doctor waive my deductible?

Waiving copays and deductibles removes the disincentive for utilization, thereby potentially increasing payor costs. Accordingly, federal and state laws as well as payor contracts generally prohibit waiving cost-sharing absent genuine financial hardship.

What is the 80% rule for coinsurance?

The 80% rule means that an insurance company will pay the replacement cost of damage to a home as long as the owner has purchased coverage equal to at least 80% of the home's total replacement value.

Does coinsurance only apply after deductible?

Coinsurance – Your share of the costs of a covered health care service, calculated as a percent (for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for the service. You pay the coinsurance plus any deductibles you owe. If you've paid your deductible: you pay 20% of $100, or $20. The insurance company pays the rest.

Is it better to have a higher deductible or coinsurance?

However, if you expect to have many health care costs, a plan with a lower deductible would be more cost-effective. A lower deductible means there will be a smaller amount that you will need to pay before the insurance carrier begins to pay its share of your claims: the coinsurance.

How to avoid paying deductible?

How Can I Avoid Paying a Car Insurance Deductible?
  1. Choose not to file a claim until you have the money.
  2. Check your policy, as you may not have to pay up front.
  3. Work out a deal with your mechanic.
  4. Get a loan.

Do copays count towards deductible?

No. Copays and coinsurance don't count toward your deductible. Only the amount you pay for health care services (like the medical bill you receive) count toward your plan's deductible.

Can deductible be waived?

In most situations, for coverages with a deductible, a deductible will apply - but there are some circumstances in which the deductible may be waived. For example, if you have comprehensive coverage and make a claim to repair windshield glass damage, then your deductible may be waived.