What happens when a patient meets their deductible?

When a patient meets their deductible, it means they have paid a certain amount out of pocket for healthcare expenses before their insurance begins to contribute. This concept is fundamental in health insurance plans, where the deductible represents the initial amount of money that the patient must pay for covered services before the insurance company starts to share the costs.

Once the deductible is satisfied, the insurance policy specifies that the insurer will start to cover a portion of the patient's medical costs, which can include a range of services such as doctor visits, hospital stays, or prescribed medications, depending on the terms of the policy. This shift from the patient being responsible for 100% of their medical expenses to the insurance company covering part of those costs is a crucial milestone in utilizing health insurance effectively.

The other options do not apply in the context of meeting a deductible. Paying a premium is related to maintaining the insurance coverage itself. Receiving a reimbursement check typically involves filing a claim for expenses already incurred, not directly related to meeting a deductible. Lastly, selecting a new policy is a separate process that may involve periodic open enrollment periods and is not triggered simply by meeting a deductible.