## Health plan basics

 ## Health plan costs

Health plan costs include the premium, deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum. Some plans may also have copays.

Learn more about these costs to help you plan and budget for your care.



 

 

 

 

### Common terms



 

### Premium

A premium is your monthly payment for health insurance.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/understanding-healthcare-costs/what-health-insurance)

 

 

 



### Deductible

The amount you pay each year for covered healthcare before your health plan begins to pay.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/understanding-healthcare-costs/what-deductible)

 

 

 



### Coinsurance

The amount you pay for covered healthcare after you meet your deductible.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/understanding-healthcare-costs/what-coinsurance)

 

 

 



### Out-of-pocket maximum

The most you will pay each year for covered healthcare.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/understanding-healthcare-costs/what-out-pocket-maximum)

 

 

 



### Copay or copayment

A set fee you pay for a doctor visit or prescription.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/understanding-healthcare-costs/what-copay)

 

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

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### Understanding healthcare costs

Learn what makes up healthcare costs and how to pay for them.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/understanding-healthcare-costs)

 

 



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### Learn about Medicare

Access resources to help you learn how Medicare works.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/learn-about-medicare)

 

 



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### Prescription drugs

Gain a better understanding of prescription drug benefits, search for covered drugs and more.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/prescription-drugs)

 

 



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### Preventive care

Learn what's recommended for you and your family and how that care is covered by health insurance.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/preventive-care)

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

 

## Health Plan Basics video series

 

  





 

 

 Health plan basics 

 

 

  





 

 

 Protect your health with preventive care 

 

 

  





 

 

 Coordination of benefits 

 

 

 

  





 

 

 How to choose the right health plan 

 

 

  





 

 

 Stay in network and save 

 

 

  





 

 

 Prepare for surgery and save 

 

 

 

 

## Resources

### Learning resources



 

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### How healthcare expenses are shared

Learn how you and your health insurance pay for your healthcare.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/understanding-healthcare-costs/how-you-and-insurance-pay)

 

 

 



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### Care Cost Estimator

Learn how to estimate medical care costs in advance.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/understanding-healthcare-costs/care-cost-estimator)

 

 

 



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### How to read an Explanation of Benefits

An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) shows what your health plan paid and the amount you owe.



 

[Learn more](/understanding-health-insurance/understanding-healthcare-costs/how-read-eob)

 

 

 



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### Third-party payments of premiums

Learn who we do and do not accept premium payments from.



 

[Learn more](/third-party-payments-premiums-andor-cost-sharing)

 

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

## Member account

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### Log in or create a member account

Get your ID card, plan information, find in-network doctors and more.



[Log in](https://identity.bluecrossmn.com/u/login?state=hKFo2SBCX25mVXNHMHlXUUhLUzNxcjVYNnRHSF81RzF3d05adKFur3VuaXZlcnNhbC1sb2dpbqN0aWTZIGVtay1YajlRTVZwakRtUllCbnpNelNYX1lCa1hKQmRXo2NpZNkgcDZ2elJyNHBQRUFvWkM4d0NVQWNMU3VNSHU2OEJKMm4)

[Create account](https://members.bluecrossmn.com/)