What is a deductible?
A deductible is the amount you pay each calendar year before health insurance benefits are paid for covered medical expenses.

When does my deductible start over?
Your deductible starts over each year on january 1st.

What is coinsurance?
Coinsurance is the percentage of covered expense you are responsible for after you meet your deductible. For example, you can choose 20% coinsurance of $5,000 (which equals $1,000). That means you'll pay 20% and the insurance company will pay 80% of the first $5,000 (which equals $4,000) of covered expenses. After that, the insurance company will pay 100% of covered charges for the remainder of the year, up to the policy maximum.

What is a copayment?
A copayment is a set amount that you pay for a specific service, such as $25 for an office visit. You are usually responsible for payment at the time of service.

What is the Doctor Office Copayment (DOC) option?
The DOC option lets you know up front exactly how much you'll pay for routine care. When you add the DOC option to your plan, your copayment is all you pay for an eligible network office visit.

What is individual out-of-pocket expense?
It's the maximum amount in covered charges you'll pay -- per person, per calendar year. The amount is determined by adding your deductible and coinsurance together. For instance, if you have a $1,000 deductible and 20% coinsurance of the next $5,000, the most you'll pay is $2,000.

What is family out-of-pocket expense?
Like individual out-of-pocket expense described above, it's the combined total of your deductible and coinsurance, but for your whole family - which is the maximum amount in covered charges you'll pay no matter how many members of your family collect insurance benefits.

What is the difference between a network and non-network (or out-of-network) medical provider?
A network provider is a docor or hospital who's made an arrangement with the insurance company to provide services at a discounted rate. Non-network providers haven't arranged to provide services at a discounted rate with the insurance company's customers. Simply put, you'll typically pay less for services from a network provider than a non-network provider.

How can I help reduce the costs of my insurance covereage?
The easiest way to reduce your costs is to buy a plan with a higher deductible. With a higher deductible, you share more of the cost of your care. But, if you don't have a need for care, the good news is you're not spending money for benefits you won't use.

In addition to choosing the right plan design, a Health Savings Account (HSA) is a terrific way to offset costs. This special type of account offers tax benefits on money put aside for future medical expenses. You enjoy tax-deductible contributions, tax-deferred interest and tax-advantaged withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.