Rex says
Money math without the spreadsheet headache. Plug in your numbers and I'll show you exactly where the dollars land.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Lower total cost plan
High-Deductible Plan
High-deductible plan total cost
$7,400
Low-deductible plan total cost
$8,000
Difference at expected usage
$600
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How to use this
- 1Enter hdhp monthly premium ($).
- 2Enter hdhp deductible ($).
- 3Enter low-deductible plan monthly premium ($).
- 4Enter low-deductible plan deductible ($).
- 5Enter expected annual medical spend ($).
- 6Read your lower total cost plan on the right — it updates as you type.
- 7Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
A high-deductible health plan (HDHP) charges lower monthly premiums but exposes you to more out-of-pocket cost before coverage kicks in, while a low-deductible (PPO/HMO) plan charges more monthly but caps your exposure sooner. This tool totals premiums plus expected out-of-pocket spending for both plans at your anticipated medical usage level to show which costs less for your household this year.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- HDHP monthly premium: 350 $
- HDHP deductible: 3000 $
- Low-deductible plan monthly premium: 550 $
- Low-deductible plan deductible: 750 $
- Expected annual medical spend: 4000 $
Results
- Lower total cost plan: High-Deductible Plan
- High-deductible plan total cost: $7,400
- Low-deductible plan total cost: $8,000
- Difference at expected usage: $600
What each field means
Inputs
- HDHP monthly premium ($)
- The hdhp monthly premium used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 350 $ so you have a working example on load.
- HDHP deductible ($)
- The hdhp deductible used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 3000 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Low-deductible plan monthly premium ($)
- The low-deductible plan monthly premium used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 550 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Low-deductible plan deductible ($)
- The low-deductible plan deductible used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 750 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Expected annual medical spend ($)
- The expected annual medical spend used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 4000 $ so you have a working example on load.
Results
- Lower total cost plan
- Returned as a plain value and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- High-deductible plan total cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Low-deductible plan total cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Difference at expected usage
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
Does an HDHP always cost less?
Only if your medical spend stays relatively low — heavy users of care often come out ahead on a low-deductible plan despite the higher premium, because their out-of-pocket exposure is capped sooner.
Can I pair an HDHP with an HSA?
Yes — HDHPs are the only plans that qualify for HSA contributions, which adds meaningful tax-advantaged savings potential not captured in this simple cost comparison.
What if I have an unexpected major medical event?
Compare each plan's full out-of-pocket maximum, not just the deductible — that's your worst-case annual exposure and often matters more than the everyday-usage math.
Accuracy and limitations
- Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.
- Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.
- This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). High vs Low Deductible Health Plan Cost Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/high-vs-low-deductible-plan-cost
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/high-vs-low-deductible-plan-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">High vs Low Deductible Health Plan Cost Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [High vs Low Deductible Health Plan Cost Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/high-vs-low-deductible-plan-cost) (2026).