In health insurance, what does the term "deductible" refer to?

The term "deductible" in health insurance specifically refers to the amount an insured individual must pay out-of-pocket for healthcare services before the insurance company begins to cover any expenses. This threshold ensures that the insured shares some financial responsibility for their healthcare, which can help mitigate overall health care costs and promote more judicious use of medical services.

Once this initial amount is paid, the health insurance policy will typically start to cover a significant portion of additional costs, depending on the specifics of the policy. This concept is essential for understanding how health insurance plans operate and the financial responsibilities of the insured.

In contrast, the other options describe different aspects of health insurance. For instance, the maximum amount the insurer will pay for a claim relates to policy limits, while the portion of costs covered by the insurance plan is commonly referred to as co-insurance or co-payment. Additionally, the extra amount paid for specialized care can refer to out-of-pocket expenses or additional charges for non-standard treatments, but these do not encapsulate the definition of a deductible.