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How to pick a health insurance plan

Catastrophic health plans

Catastrophic health insurance plans have low monthly premiums and very high deductibles. They may be an affordable way to protect yourself from worst-case scenarios, like getting seriously sick or injured. But you pay most routine medical expenses yourself.

Who can buy a Catastrophic plan

If you qualify to buy a Catastrophic plan, you’ll see them displayed when you compare plans in the Marketplace.

How much Catastrophic plans cost

  • Monthly premiums are usually low, but you can’t use a 
     to reduce your cost. If you qualify for a premium tax credit based on your income, a Bronze or Silver plan is likely to be a better value. Be sure to compare.
  • Deductibles — the amount you have to pay yourself for most services before the plan starts to pay anything — are very high.
  • After you spend the deductible amount, your insurance company pays for all covered services, with no 
     or 
    .

What Catastrophic plans cover

  • Catastrophic plans cover the same 
     as other Marketplace plans.
  • Like other plans, Catastrophic plans cover certain preventive services at no cost.
  • They also cover at least 3 primary care visits per year before you’ve met your deductible.