April 21, 2026
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Excessive-deductible plans can seem like a deal, till the payments begin rolling in. On this episode of the NPR podcast Life Equipmentreporter Jackie Fortiér breaks down what to anticipate and the right way to put together.
Lots of people select their medical insurance the best way they store for a flight — kind by the bottom worth and click on “purchase.” However what seems to be like a cut price upfront can include pricey penalties later.
After some federal monetary support expired, many People discovered that high-deductible well being plans have been the one choice they might afford.
In a brand new episode of NPR’s Life Equipment podcast, KFF Well being Information reporter Jackie Fortiér and podcast host Marielle Segarra focus on what these plans are, and why they will really feel so complicated. Think about paying $100 out-of-pocket for a routine physician go to that used to value you $20. Think about shouldering 1000’s of {dollars} in payments earlier than your insurance coverage pays a cent.
Nonetheless, for some individuals — particularly those that not often want medical care — high-deductible plans work. Hearken to the episode to discover how timing your care and benefiting from free preventive providers might help you profit from your protection.
KFF Well being Information is a nationwide newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about well being points and is among the core working packages at KFF—an unbiased supply of well being coverage analysis, polling, and journalism. Be taught extra about KFF.
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