People with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) often must pay high costs for health care. Specifically, researchers define the cost burden of HDHPs as out-of-pocket health care costs (excluding health insurance premiums) of more than 5% of annual income if that income equals less than 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL). In 2026, 200% of the FPL for a one person was $31,920. For families, cost burden is defined as a family’s health care costs excluding premiums of more than 10% of annual family income.
