Health Insurance Plan Comparison
Compare two health plans at different medical spending levels. Find which plan wins when.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: CDC
Low ($1,000)
Plan B wins
Medium ($5,000)
Plan B wins
High ($20,000)
Plan A wins
Total Annual Cost Comparison
| Low ($1,000) - Plan A | $6,400.00 |
| Low ($1,000) - Plan B | $4,600.00 |
| Medium ($5,000) - Plan A | $7,600.00 |
| Medium ($5,000) - Plan B | $7,200.00 |
| High ($20,000) - Plan A | $10,600.00 |
| High ($20,000) - Plan B | $11,600.00 |
Use the Health Insurance Plan Comparison above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
How It Works
Two health plans can look similar on paper yet cost wildly different amounts once you actually use them. This comparison weighs two plans against each other at three levels of medical spending, $1,000, $5,000 and $20,000 a year, so you can see which one delivers better financial value. Premiums tell only part of the story; the real difference shows up in out-of-pocket costs at low, moderate, and heavy usage, and that gap can run into hundreds or thousands of dollars a year.
Each plan's total annual cost is the monthly premium times 12 plus your out-of-pocket spending: everything up to the deductible, then your coinsurance percentage on the bills above it, with the out-of-pocket part (not the premium) capped at the plan's out-of-pocket maximum. There is no separate field for copays, so the model treats all care as deductible first, then coinsurance.
A few real-world expenses are easy to miss. Prescription drug costs and specialist co-pays do not always fall under the general medical deductible, so build them in separately. Projecting your spending too low is a frequent error, and your family history and lifestyle are useful guides to how much care you might actually need. Finally, check each plan's provider network before committing.
Example: The Default Plans at Three Spending Levels
- 1 Input: Plan A has a $450 monthly premium, a $1,500 deductible, 20% coinsurance and a $6,000 out-of-pocket maximum. Plan B has a $300 premium, a $3,000 deductible, 30% coinsurance and an $8,000 maximum. Annual premiums are $5,400 and $3,600.
- 2 Low ($1,000): the bills stay under both deductibles, so Plan A costs $5,400 + $1,000 = $6,400 and Plan B $3,600 + $1,000 = $4,600. Plan B wins.
- 3 Medium ($5,000): Plan A costs $5,400 + $1,500 + 20% × $3,500 ($700) = $7,600; Plan B costs $3,600 + $3,000 + 30% × $2,000 ($600) = $7,200. Plan B still wins, by $400.
- 4 High ($20,000): Plan A's out-of-pocket is $1,500 + 20% × $18,500 = $5,200, under its $6,000 cap, for $10,600 in total; Plan B's would be $3,000 + 30% × $17,000 = $8,100, capped at $8,000, for $11,600. Plan A wins by $1,000, so Plan B's lower premium pays off unless the year turns expensive.
Source: CDC · Last updated: September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I compare health insurance plans?
What is the difference between an HMO and a PPO?
Is a high deductible health plan worth it?
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