Free health insurance comparison calculator. Compare HDHP, PPO, and HMO plans by total annual cost including premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and HSA benefits.
Choosing a health insurance plan is one of the most confusing annual financial decisions. A lower premium doesn't always mean a cheaper plan — higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs can easily offset premium savings. And HSA tax advantages can make an HDHP the cheapest option even when it looks more expensive on paper.
This calculator compares up to 3 health plans side by side, calculating the true total annual cost at different levels of healthcare usage: low (preventive only), medium (a few doctor visits and prescriptions), and high (surgery, hospitalization, or chronic condition).
Use it during open enrollment to make a data-driven choice instead of guessing. Health insurance plans differ widely in premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance rates, and out-of-pocket maximums. The cheapest monthly premium often costs more in total for anyone who uses moderate or significant healthcare. This calculator reveals your projected total annual cost under each plan option you are considering.
The wrong plan choice can cost you $2,000-$5,000+ per year. This calculator factors in premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums, and HSA tax benefits to find the true cheapest option for YOUR level of healthcare usage. Comparing total cost across scenarios helps you pick the plan that matches your actual usage, not just the lowest sticker price.
Total Annual Cost = (Monthly Premium × 12) + Out-of-Pocket Costs − HSA Tax Savings Out-of-Pocket = min(Deductible + Coinsurance on remaining costs, Annual Out-of-Pocket Max) HSA Tax Savings = HSA Contribution × Marginal Tax Rate
Result: HDHP total: $6,650 | PPO total: $7,350 | HDHP saves $700/year
HDHP: $350/mo × 12 = $4,200 premiums + $1,500 deductible + $950 coinsurance = $6,650. PPO: $550/mo × 12 = $6,600 premiums + $500 deductible + $250 coinsurance = $7,350. The HDHP is $700 cheaper even though it has a higher deductible, because lower premiums more than offset the difference. Add HSA tax savings and the gap widens further.
During open enrollment, most people compare premiums and stop there. But premiums are only part of the equation. A $200/month premium savings with an HDHP versus a PPO equals $2,400/year. But if the HDHP has a $3,000 higher deductible, you need to spend at least $3,000 in healthcare to break even. For low-usage years, the HDHP wins. For high-usage years, run the full calculation.
At a 30% marginal tax rate, maxing out an individual HSA ($4,150) saves $1,245 in taxes. That's $1,245 of free money that effectively reduces your HDHP's total cost. Over 20 years of maxing HSA contributions with investment growth, you could accumulate $200K-$400K in tax-free medical funds.
Gather three pieces of data: (1) your past year's total medical spending, (2) any planned procedures for next year, and (3) each plan's full cost breakdown. Plug them into this calculator. The answer is usually clear within minutes.
HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan): lowest premiums, highest deductible, HSA-eligible. PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): moderate premiums, moderate deductible, broader network, no referrals needed. HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): varies on cost, requires in-network care and referrals for specialists.
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is only available with HDHPs. It offers triple tax benefits: contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free. The 2024 limits are $4,150 (individual) / $8,300 (family). It's the most tax-advantaged account available — better than a 401(k) or Roth IRA for medical expenses.
Low usage (healthy adult, preventive only): $500-$1,500/year. Medium (a few doctor visits, prescriptions, minor procedure): $3,000-$7,000. High (surgery, hospitalization, chronic condition): $10,000-$25,000+. Review your past year's Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements for actual costs.
After you meet your deductible, coinsurance is the percentage of costs you pay. For example, 80/20 coinsurance means the plan pays 80% and you pay 20% until you hit the out-of-pocket maximum. Different from copays, which are flat dollar amounts per visit.
If you have high, predictable medical costs (chronic conditions, planned surgeries), can't afford to cover the deductible out of pocket, or won't contribute to the HSA (losing the tax benefit). For families with frequent doctor visits, a PPO sometimes wins on total cost.
If you can afford it, absolutely. Unlike FSAs, HSA funds never expire and can be invested for long-term growth. Many people use HSAs as stealth retirement accounts: pay medical expenses out of pocket now, let the HSA grow tax-free, and withdraw decades later. It's optimal to maximize HSA contributions every year.