Deductible

Question

This is a silly question, I'm afraid, but it's been on my mind for some time. Every time when I hear the term "deductible" I feel I am forced to stand on the insurance companies' side. I tried to find some ways to express this concept, from the patients' standpoint. How can I name it in different words?

(One more question: can I say "exemptible" instead of "deductible"? I mean, not as a strict term, but to explain the concept.)

Thank you very much, in advance, for any input.

Vorpar · Accepted Answer

Could you use the term "Co-payment" to explain the customer's insurance burden?

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, Vorpar, for your reply. I did a quick research about "co-payment," and I'm not sure -- it seems to me, both "deductible" and "co-payment" exist separately as one of many choices when you have to consider your health plan. I can be wrong, it's kind of ... complicated!

I think the amount of money the insurance company won't cover (at all) is called "deductible." I cannot explain why exactly, but it seems puzzling. (...and a bit annoying!)

BarbaraPA · Answer

A deductible isn't on anyone's "side." It's simply part of the contract.

Depending on the insurance plan, you may have to meet a deductible before the insurance company starts paying anything, and even then, it may cover only a portion of costs. Until the patient has met the deductible, all of the expenses are out of pocket. In my plan, if I use an in-network doctor, I have only a co-payment and the insurance covers the rest. If I use a doctor that is not part of the insurance network, I have to meet a $250 deductible first, and then they pay 80%.

Let me know if you have any other questions - I used to work in the human resources department.

Anonymous · Answer

Grammar GeekA deductible isn't on anyone's "side." It's simply part of the contract.

Depending on the insurance plan, you may have to meet a deductible before the insurance company starts paying anything, and even then, it may cover only a portion of costs. Until the patient has met the deductible, all of the expenses are out of pocket. In my plan, if I use an in-network doctor, I have only a co-payment and the insurance covers the rest. If I use a doctor that is not part of the insurance network, I have to meet a $250 deductible first, and then they pay 80%.

Let me know if you have any other questions - I used to work in the human resources department.

Grammar Geek, thank you very, very much for your information. And good for you -- your plan seems not so bad at all!

Let me continue a little bit more, if you don't mind. To those who know this term, it's just a term. I was not familiar with U.S. health care until recently. When I heard the word "deductible" for the first time, I thought it must mean something beneficial for the patient, because of the combination of 'deduct' and suffix 'able.' (Silly me.) "Deduct' means, mainly, 'subtract some amount from the total payment." ...right? Sounds good.... this is what I thought when I knew nothing about it.

The reality is, however, the insurance company won't cover anything until the charge exceeds some amount. I've read that they call this "excess" in Britain, "deductible" in U.S.

I'm just grumbling. I started to wonder... is it only me who feels like grumbling about this term...?

Nona the brit · Answer

Whatever it's called, you still have to pay it <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/9.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/9.gif' alt='Emotion: crying'/>

Anonymous · Answer

Nona The BritWhatever it's called, you still have to pay it

Haha, right... Absolutely.

I heard that, in Britain, everything is on National Health Service, so it's free as to medical costs. How nice!!

CalifJim · Answer

deductible isn't the only term that seems better than it really is!

When I was first hired on my job, I was told that I was being hired as an "exempt employee". Oh, good, I thought, I'm exempt from something. Maybe there's some tax I'm exempt from. That'll be nice.

But then I found out what it meant -- an employee who is exempt from the overtime laws. In other words, you may have to work many, many hours over the standard 40 a week, and they won't pay you a penny more for it! The so-called "non-exempts" get paid for every hour they work, including a higher rate for hours worked over the standard 40 a week. But not me.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

OH MY....! That's hilarious, Jim! I cannot help chuckling....

I do hope you've got a better one now

(Now seriously, thank you for spending your time to help us. What shoud we give you for return?)

Speaking of the incomprehensibility of the legal terms. I'm a permanent resident of the U.S. (You may call me an immigrant.) When I tried to go back to my homeland a few months ago, USCIS required me to file for the "Advance Parole" status. I read their paper over and over again, and still don't understand if I qualify for that "Advance Parole" or whatever status...!

Anyway, it's really nice talking with you.

Deductible

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