Pre-Deductible Coverage in the Individual Market: Better Access, More Affordable Care

Since passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurers have expanded the availability of pre-deductible coverage—health care services that are fully covered by the health insurance policy without any cost-sharing before the deductible is met. As a result, plan benefit designs deliver greater upfront value to consumers and encourage consumers to develop a relationship with a primary care physician—a key component of positive health outcomes.

A new BCBSA research brief looks at the pre-deductible coverage of qualified health plans (QHPs) sold on the individual market to assess how plans cater to a diverse population of consumers and how deductibles – and services provided before the deductible – have evolved in the individual market over time.