What is a Catastrophic Health Plan?

A “Catastrophic Plan” is a qualified health plan offered through the marketplace that covers essential health benefits and requires the highest level of cost-sharing allowable for essential health benefits. In 2017, under a “catastrophic policy,” the annual deductible for covered services is $7,350 for an individual ($14,700 for a family policy.) After you have satisfied the deductible, the plan will pay 100 percent for covered essential health benefit services for the remainder of the year. “Catastrophic policies” may also be sold by insurers outside of the health insurance marketplace. Not everybody will be allowed to buy Catastrophic Plans. They are only for adults up to age 30, and for people who have received a hardship exemption from the marketplace. (45 C.F.R. § 156.155; 81 Fed. Reg. 94058, Dec. 22, 2016).