Obamacare’s Higher Deductibles

• In addition to their higher premiums, many Obamacare plans will have higher deductibles next year.

• Deductibles for the lowest-cost Obamacare plans have increased from last year by 10.6 percent for individuals and 10 percent for families.

• High deductibles are causing many to be unable to use their health insurance.

Obamacare Deductibles Are Growing

Obamacare continues to make health care unaffordable for Americans. There have been headlines across the country about higher premiums. For many people though, higher deductibles are ultimately what has pushed health care out of reach. In many cases, the effects are felt most acutely by those the law intended to help.

According to HealthPocket, a health plan comparison company, the average deductible for individuals in bronze plans is $5,731 for 2016 (an increase of 10.6 percent from 2015), and for families it is $11,601 (an increase of 10 percent).

The average deductible for individuals in silver plans is $3,117 (an increase of 6.5 percent from 2015), and for families it is $6,480 (an increase from 2015 of nearly 8 percent).

High Deductibles Make Health Care Unattainable

“The deductible, $3,000 a year, makes it impossible to actually go to the doctor. … We have insurance, but can’t afford to use it.” – David R. Reines, Jefferson Township, New Jersey (New York Times)

“We could not afford the deductible. … Basically I was paying for insurance I could not afford to use.” – Kevin Fanning, North Texas (New York Times)

“The deductibles are ridiculously high. I will never be able to go over the deductible unless something catastrophic happened to me. I’m better off not purchasing that insurance and saving the money in case something bad happens.” – Alexis C. Phillips, Houston, Texas (New York Times)

“When they said affordable, I thought they really meant affordable.” – Anne Cornwell, Chattanooga, Tennessee (New York Times)