Health insurance U.S. insurance

Which health plan could cost you less?

Compare what you pay for two employer health plans in a typical year and in a year when covered in-network spending reaches each plan’s limit.

Employer Health Insurance Cost Comparison

Enter figures from your policy, quote, or benefits summary.

Plan A

Plan A annual employee premium

Your share over the full plan year. Amount in U.S. dollars.

Plan A expected cost sharing

Estimate your own covered in-network spending for the year. Amount in U.S. dollars.

Plan A in-network out-of-pocket maximum

Match your enrollment tier. Amount in U.S. dollars.

Plan B

Plan B annual employee premium

Your share over the full plan year. Amount in U.S. dollars.

Plan B expected cost sharing

Model the same care as Plan A, using Plan B’s terms. Amount in U.S. dollars.

Plan B in-network out-of-pocket maximum

Match your enrollment tier. Amount in U.S. dollars.

Worked example

See what the numbers mean

Plan A at $1,800 in premiums plus $1,800 in expected cost sharing totals $3,600. Plan B at $2,800 plus $1,100 totals $3,900. A costs $300 less in this scenario.

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Behind the estimate

Method & sources

Where to find your figures

Use your benefits enrollment materials and each plan's Summary of Benefits and Coverage. Match the coverage tier, such as employee-only or family. Multiply your per-paycheck premium by the number of deductions in the year.

How the math works

Add each annual employee premium to that plan's estimated covered in-network cost sharing. For the separate limit scenario, add the annual premium to the plan's in-network out-of-pocket maximum.

Worked example

Plan A at $1,800 in premiums plus $1,800 in expected cost sharing totals $3,600. Plan B at $2,800 plus $1,100 totals $3,900. A costs $300 less in this scenario.

What this estimate covers

Use an expected cost-sharing total that already includes eligible deductible, copay, and coinsurance amounts. Out-of-network and uncovered care, account contributions, and taxes are outside the comparison.

Source notes

Consumer guidance reviewed November 3, 2026.

HealthCare.gov · Estimating total yearly costs
Comparing premium plus cost sharing under different levels of care.
HealthCare.gov · Out-of-pocket maximum
What counts toward the covered in-network maximum and which costs sit outside it.

Before you decide

Common questions

Where do I find my yearly employee premium?

Use the employee contribution for your enrollment tier. Multiply the amount taken from each paycheck by the number of paychecks that include the deduction over the plan year.

Does the out-of-pocket maximum cap my entire health bill?

The modeled maximum applies to eligible covered in-network care. Premiums, uncovered care, and many out-of-network bills sit outside that limit. Compare networks and drug coverage alongside the estimated cost.