In health insurance, what is the definition of "deductible"?

The definition of "deductible" in health insurance is the amount a patient must pay out-of-pocket before their insurance begins to cover services. This means that until the deductible is met, the insured individual is responsible for covering the full costs of healthcare services. Once the deductible is satisfied, the insurance plan will start to pay its share of the costs for covered services, which is critical for understanding how insurance benefits work.

This concept is fundamental in health insurance, as it directly affects the financial responsibility of the insured individual. Knowing the deductible amount helps patients anticipate their potential out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare and plan accordingly. This understanding is essential for effectively navigating health insurance policies and managing healthcare costs.

The other options relate to aspects of insurance but do not pertain to the definition of a deductible. For instance, options relating to maximum payouts, co-insurance rates, or coverage percentages do not capture the essence of how deductibles function within an insurance plan.