A plan with a higher deductible than a traditional insurance plan. The monthly premium is usually lower, but you pay more health care costs yourself before the insurance company starts to pay its share (your deductible). A high deductible plan (HDHP) can be combined with a health savings account (HSA), allowing you to pay for certain medical expenses with money free from federal taxes. Show
For 2022, the IRS defines a high deductible health plan as any plan with a deductible of at least $1,400 for an individual or $2,800 for a family. An HDHP’s total yearly out-of-pocket expenses (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) can’t be more than $7,050 for an individual or $14,100 for a family. (This limit doesn't apply to out-of-network services.) Related Content
You have chosen Cigna. While we strive to keep this list up to date, it's always best to check with your health plan to determine the specific details of your coverage, including benefit designs and Sutter provider participation in your provider network. It is important to note that not all of the Sutter Health network of providers necessarily participate in all of a health plan's products or networks. Please check with your health plan if you have questions about coverage and network providers for specific products. HDHP vs. PPO: Which Is the Right Choice for You?To pick the best health coverage, understand the differences between these two plans.By Kailey Hagen – Updated Jun 30, 2022 at 3:27PM To find the right health coverage, you need to weigh the pros and cons of an HDHP vs. a PPO. The best choice for you depends on several factors, including your health, lifestyle, number of dependents, and financial situation. Below, we'll look at all these factors to help you determine which type of insurance plan suits you. What is an HDHP?HDHP stands for high-deductible health insurance plan. These are plans that have a deductible of $1,400 or more for individuals or $2,800 or more for families in 2021. As the name implies, these plans carry higher deductibles — the out-of-pocket costs you must meet before your insurance will pay the rest of your bill — than PPOs, which we'll discuss below. But they make up for this with lower monthly premiums, which is the monthly cost you pay for your insurance coverage. These plans also tend to have higher out-of-pocket maximums than PPOs. Individual plans can carry out-of-pocket maximums of up to $7,000, while, if you're on a family plan, you could pay up to $14,000 in 2021 before your insurance coverage begins paying for 100% of your outstanding bills. Because of these high deductibles, HDHPs typically aren't a great choice if you visit the doctor frequently. But they're great if you rarely need medical care and want to reduce your monthly payments. Pros
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What is a PPO?PPO stands for preferred provider organization plan. This type of health insurance plan offers lower deductibles than HDHPs. That makes them a good fit if you visit the doctor frequently and don't want to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket before your insurer will pay for care. The downsides to these plans include higher premiums and smaller provider networks. The latter issue could pose a challenge if you travel often. If you become ill or injured and can't find an in-network provider near you, you could pay a lot more to see an out-of-network doctor. Pros
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HDHPs are typically better suited for people who make infrequent trips to the doctor, while PPOs are ideal for those who make regular visits to the doctor. Comparing costs between HDHPs and PPOsUltimately, the type of health insurance plan that's cheapest for you will depend on how often you or your family members visit the doctor. Consider the following example plans:
Chart by author. No matter which type of plan you go with, you're going to have to pay your premiums if you want to keep your coverage. But you may not always have to pay your deductible. If you don't go to the doctor at all, the HDHP is the clear winner. You'd save about $1,200 in premiums compared to going with the PPO plan. But if you had a $5,000 medical bill, you'd fare better with the PPO plan. You'd pay about $7,500 for your premiums and deductible compared to the $7,800 you'd pay for your premiums and deductible with the HDHP. Of course, you can't always predict when you'll need medical care, so you should base your decision on your overall health. If you know you go to the doctor often, a PPO might make more sense. If you only see a doctor for emergencies, an HDHP might be cheaper. It's worth noting that both HDHPs and PPOs also have copays, or coinsurance, in addition to premiums and deductibles. These aren't included in the example above. Coinsurance is a percentage of your hospital bill that you're responsible for even after meeting your deductible. This percentage can vary depending on the type of service required. You continue to pay coinsurance until you reach your out-of-pocket maximum for the year, at which point your health insurance takes over for all covered costs going forward. It's important to keep this in mind when considering which health insurance plan is the right fit for you. HDHPs and HSAsThose with HDHPs can contribute to an HSA — a benefit denied to PPO policyholders. An HSA is a special type of savings account designed to house funds earmarked for medical expenses. They have several financial benefits, including:
You may notice some similarities between an HSA and a retirement account. Although the HSA wasn't designed for this, it actually makes a pretty good retirement plan. So, even if you don't need your HSA funds for medical bills, you can still use that money without penalty once you get older. In 2021, those with individual HDHPs may contribute up to $3,600 to an HSA, while those with family plans may contribute up to $7,200. These limits can change from year to year. In 2022, they will rise to $3,650 and $7,300, respectively. Other considerationsIf you're still having trouble deciding between an HDHP or a PPO, ask yourself the following questions:
The right answer for you could change from one year to the next. When you're nearing the end of your policy term, go back through this list of questions to see if anything's changed. Consider switching the type of health insurance you choose if you believe it will be more affordable. Don't just base your choice on costs. Look into what each policy covers and make sure medications or treatments you or your family members need are covered. Compare several policies side by side to figure out which offers you the greatest value — that is, the most coverage at the most reasonable price. It takes some time, but it's the best way to make sure you find the best coverage for you. Related Investing TopicsThe Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Related ArticlesIs HDHP a PPO or HMO?An HDHP can be an HMO, POS, PPO or EPO. People who are managing a health condition but can't afford higher monthly premiums may find that an HDHP saves them money in the long run.
What kind of plan is Cigna HDHP?The High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), with an annual out-of-pocket maximum (what you're responsible for before your plan begins to pay 100% of charges) – once your deductible is met.
What does Cigna HDHP mean?A plan with a higher deductible than a traditional insurance plan. The monthly premium is usually lower, but you pay more health care costs yourself before the insurance company starts to pay its share (your deductible).
Is Cigna an HMO or PPO?Cigna Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans. Includes global emergency and urgent care coverage* 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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