April 21, 2026
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Jackie Fortiér
High-deductible plans can appear like a deal, till the payments begin rolling in. On this episode of the NPR podcast Life Kit, reporter Jackie Fortiér breaks down what to anticipate and easy methods to put together.
Lots of people select their medical health insurance the way in which they store for a flight — type by the bottom worth and click on “buy.” But what appears to be like like a cut price upfront can include pricey penalties later.
After some federal monetary support expired, many Americans discovered that high-deductible well being plans have been the one choice they might afford.
In a brand new episode of NPR’s Life Kit podcast, KFF Health News reporter Jackie Fortiér and podcast host Marielle Segarra focus on what these plans are, and why they’ll really feel so complicated. Imagine paying $100 out-of-pocket for a routine physician go to that used to value you $20. Imagine shouldering hundreds of {dollars} in payments earlier than your insurance coverage pays a cent.
Still, for some folks — particularly those that hardly ever want medical care — high-deductible plans work. Listen to the episode to discover how timing your care and benefiting from free preventive providers may also help you take advantage of your protection.
KFF Health News is a nationwide newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about well being points and is without doubt one of the core working packages at KFF—an unbiased supply of well being coverage analysis, polling, and journalism. Learn extra about KFF.
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