What Is A Deductible For Health Insurance? 
A deductible is the dollar amount you may be responsible for before specific benefits are paid . Typically , a deductible does NOT apply to preventive benefits on most plans . This is a result of the Affordable Care Act legislation that was recently passed . On many policies , a deductible may only apply to major medical expenses instead of office visits and prescriptions , when a smaller copay may apply -LRB- in lieu of a deductible -RRB- . There are many deductible options , as they usually range from $ 0 to about $ 6,350 per person . What deductible is best for your situation ? An experienced broker will compare available plans and guide you through the process of picking the ideal amount . 