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?
- People under 30
- People age 30 or older with a hardship exemption or affordability exemption (based on Marketplace or job-based insurance being unaffordable)
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 premium tax credit 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 copayment or coinsurance.
What Catastrophic plans cover?
Catastrophic plans cover the same essential health benefits 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.