What is a healthcare premium?

Asked by: Krista Abshire  |  Last update: January 23, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (72 votes)

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.

What does premium mean in insurance?

An insurance premium is the amount you pay to your insurer regularly to keep a policy in force. You may be able to pay premiums monthly, quarterly, every six months or annually, depending on your insurance company and your specific policy.

What is a healthcare premium vs deductible?

A premium is like your monthly car payment. You must make regular payments to keep your car, just as you must pay your premium to keep your health care plan active. A deductible is the amount you pay for coverage services before your health plan kicks in.

What is an example of a premium?

The monthly premium for your health insurance is deducted from your paycheck. Many customers are willing to pay a premium for organic vegetables. The offer applies to standard suite styles and varies for the themed and premium suites.

Is $200 a month expensive for health insurance?

Is $200 a month expensive for health insurance in California? 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.

How insurance premiums and deductibles work

27 related questions found

How much is Medicare premium each month?

If you don't get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $518 each month. If you don't buy Part A when you're first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you might pay a penalty. Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($185 in 2025).

What is an example of a health insurance premium?

Example of a Health Insurance Premium

The first plan has a monthly premium of $800 with a yearly deductible of $1,000 and coinsurance set at 20%. The second plan has a monthly premium of only $400, but a higher deductible of $5,000 and coinsurance of 30%. The first option will cost you twice as much in premiums.

How does premium work?

Premium can mean a number of things in finance—including the cost to buy an insurance policy or an option. Premium is also the price of a bond or other security above its issuance price or intrinsic value. A bond might trade at a premium because its interest rate is higher than the current market interest rates.

What is an example of premium pay?

Premium Pay - GS employees - additional pay authorized for overtime, night pay differential, holiday worked, Sunday work, standby duty, administratively uncontrollable overtime work or availability duty.

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 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.

What is premium in simple words?

1. a. : a reward or recompense for a particular act. b. : a sum over and above a regular price paid chiefly as an inducement or incentive.

What is a premium with a health insurance plan?

A premium is the monthly payment you or your employer pays for health coverage.

Is premium a refund?

Insurance Premium Refund. An insurance refund refers to when the insurance company returns a part of the premium paid by the policyholder, usually due to the cancellation of the policy before its expiration date, overpayment of premiums, or adjustments made to the policy terms.

How does insurance premium work?

An insurance premium is the amount of money an individual or business pays for an insurance policy. Insurance premiums are paid on policies that cover a variety of personal and commercial risks. If the policyowner fails to pay the premium, the insurance company may cancel the policy.

What is a premium for dummies?

A premium is a payment to your insurer that keeps your coverage in place. Insurance companies determine your premium by deciding what the risk is to insure you.

What is the point of a premium?

An asset's risk premium is a form of compensation for investors. It represents payment to investors for tolerating the extra risk in a given investment over that of a risk-free asset. Similarly, the equity risk premium refers to an excess return that investing in the stock market provides over a risk-free rate.

Why is my monthly premium so high?

Five factors can affect a plan's monthly premium: location, age, tobacco use, plan category, and whether the plan covers dependents.

What is a premium vs deductible?

Monthly premium x 12 months: The amount you pay to your plan each month to have health insurance. Deductibles: How much you'll spend for certain covered health services and prescription drugs before your plan pays anything, except free preventive services.

Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?

Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.

Is Medicare free at age 65?

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance)

You're eligible for Part A at no cost at age 65 if 1 of the following applies: • You receive or are eligible to receive benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).