What is a 500 deductible for health insurance?

Asked by: Jeramy Hermiston  |  Last update: January 20, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (66 votes)

Deductibles in health insurance For example, let's say your health insurance has a $500 deductible. This means you need to pay the first $500 of your medical bills before your insurance starts pitching in.

What does $500 deductible mean in health insurance?

Let's say your deductible is $500. First, you would need to pay $500 in out-of-pocket costs for medical expenses, such as a surgery, hospital stay, or x-ray. Advertisement. Once you've reached $500 within a policy year, your benefits kick in (for the rest of the year).

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

Generally speaking, yes, a higher deductible is the better choice long term. Especially if you have a good driving history.

How much is insurance with a $500 deductible?

Key takeaways. The average cost of car insurance with $500 deductibles for both collision and comprehensive insurance is $2,638 per year. An auto insurance deductible is the out-of-pocket cost a driver agrees to pay before insurance kicks in on a covered accident or incident.

Is it better to have a high or low deductible?

What makes more financial sense, low or high insurance deductibles? There is NO generally speaking rule on this. It is all MATH. If the higher deductible saves enough money to warrant the higher deductible, take the higher deductible. If the savings on a higher deductible is negligible, keep the lower deductible.

What Does A $500 Deductible Mean In Health Insurance? - InsuranceGuide360.com

38 related questions found

What is considered a good health insurance deductible?

What is a typical deductible? Deductibles can vary significantly from plan to plan. According to a KFF analysis, the 2024 average deductible for individual, employer-provided coverage was $1,787 ($2,575 at small companies vs. $1,538 at large companies).

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.

Do I pay my deductible to the Body Shop?

You typically pay your car insurance deductible after your car is fixed. Depending on your insurer and the situation, your insurer may pay the repair shop directly, minus your deductible — if that's the case, you'll need to pay the repair shop your deductible.

What insurance company has the lowest deductible?

USAA is the cheapest insurance company when it comes to full coverage with a $500 deductible, with an annual premium of $1,365, or $114 monthly. If you don't qualify for USAA insurance, which is only available to military and their families, then look into Nationwide or Geico as other reasonable options.

What does $500 deductible with full glass mean?

For instance, if you're considering full glass coverage with a $500 deductible and an additional cost of $5-$10 per month on your premiums, it means that before your insurer covers any repair or replacements due to glass damages on your vehicle's windshield, sunroof, or even side windows during an accident or other ...

What is too high of a deductible?

For individuals, a health plan can qualify as high deductible if the deductible is at least $1,350, and the max out-of-pocket cost (the most you'd pay in a year for medical expenses, with insurance covering everything else) is at least $6,750.

Do I get my deductible back if I'm not at fault?

Yes, if you have to pay your deductible and you were not at fault, you may be able to get it back from the at-fault driver's insurance company. This is called subrogation. Your insurance company will pursue the at-fault driver's insurance company to recover the money paid for the damages, including your deductible.

What does it mean to have a 500 deductible?

Let's say that you have a $500 deductible. You get into an accident, file a claim, and find out there is $5,000 worth of damage. You will pay $500 out of pocket in this scenario, and your insurer will pay the remaining $4,500 to cover the $5,000 of damage. You pay the deductible if you cause the accident.

How to meet your health insurance deductible fast?

Consider these ways to meet your deductible before the end of the year.
  1. Order a 90-day supply of your prescription medicine. ...
  2. See an out-of-network doctor. ...
  3. Pursue alternative treatment. ...
  4. Get your eyes examined.

What is a good premium for health insurance?

PREMIUMS FOR SINGLE AND FAMILY COVERAGE

The average premium for single coverage in 2024 is $8,951 per year. The average premium for family coverage is $25,572 per year [Figure 1.1].

Does insurance pay 100% after deductible?

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. If you haven't paid your deductible yet: you pay the full allowed amount, $100 (or the remaining balance until you have paid your yearly deductible, whichever is less).

Is $200 a month good for health insurance?

Health insurance that costs $200 per month is a good deal in California. Silver plans typically cost $513 per month for a 21-year-old or $656 per month for a 40-year-old. The best way to get cheap rates is to use health insurance subsidies, which lower the cost of an insurance plan based on your income.

What is the cheapest health insurance in the US?

Blue Cross Blue Shield has the cheapest rates for roughly four in 10 Americans. It has the cheapest Bronze health insurance plans in 19 states. If you want better coverage, Ambetter offers the cheapest Silver plans, at $516 per month, on average.

Is a $0 deductible good for health insurance?

Health insurance with zero deductible or a low deductible is best if you expect to need major medical care in the upcoming year. Even though you'll pay more for the plan, it will help you save overall because the full benefits begin right away.

What is a normal deductible for health insurance?

For families had an average deductible of $10,310. In 2023, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) reported that the average deductible for marketplace plans for medical and prescription drugs is $7,481 for Bronze plans, $4,890 for Silver plans, $1,650 for Gold plans, and $45 for Platinum plans.

Is everything free after deductible?

A deductible is the amount you pay for coverage services before your health plan kicks in. After you meet your deductible, you pay a percentage of health care expenses known as coinsurance. It's like when friends in a carpool cover a portion of the gas, and you, the driver, also pay a portion.

How long does it take to get a deductible back from insurance?

When will I get my deductible back if I'm not at fault for the accident? We'll attempt to promptly recover payments we've made from the party or parties responsible for your loss. The time needed for recovery varies with each claim and could take up to one year or longer.

What if I can't afford my health insurance deductible?

Your healthcare provider can't waive or discount your deductible because that would violate the rules of your health plan. But they may be willing to allow you to pay the deductible you owe over time. Be honest and explain your situation upfront to your healthcare provider or hospital billing department.

Why do doctors bill more than insurance will pay?

It is entirely due to the rates negotiated and contracted by your specific insurance company. The provider MUST bill for the highest contracted dollar ($) amount to receive full reimbursement.

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.