What Is the Average Health Insurance Deductible in 2027?

The deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your health insurance coverage begins sharing costs.

Deductibles remain a key financial decision point for anyone choosing a plan for 2027, especially as they’ve already climbed steadily over the past decade — and ACA Marketplace deductibles in particular jumped sharply in 2026 after enhanced federal subsidies expired.

What’s the average deductible? What should consumers realistically expect? Let’s break it down.

Understanding Deductibles in Today’s Market

Most health plans require some level of deductible.

Whether you’re covered through an employer, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, or even Medicare, deductibles vary based on the type of insurance, plan tier, and whether cost-sharing subsidies apply.

Employer-sponsored plans, which cover most Americans under age 65, typically have much lower deductibles than individual marketplace plans.

ACA marketplace plans, meanwhile, tend to have higher deductibles, especially the lower-tier bronze and silver plans, because they balance lower monthly premiums with higher cost-sharing.

Average Deductibles Heading Into 2027

Here’s what the most recent published data shows (KFF and CMS/Marketplace figures typically lag by several months — 2027-specific numbers won’t be available until later in 2026, so the figures below are the latest confirmed data as this guide was written):

• Employer-Sponsored Insurance ($1,886 Per Year): The average deductible for employer-sponsored health insurance plans, which are the most common coverage type in the US, was $1,886 for single coverage as of KFF’s 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey (the most recent edition published; KFF’s 2026 survey is expected around October 2026 and may update this figure).
• ACA Marketplace Plans ($5,304 to $7,186 Per Year): The average ACA marketplace deductible jumped significantly for 2026 after enhanced federal premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025 — average monthly premium payments rose about 58% and average deductibles rose about 37% year-over-year as many shoppers traded down to skimpier plans to manage the higher cost. According to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, the 2026 average deductible is $5,304 for a Silver plan and $7,186 for a Bronze plan. Silver plans can be reduced dramatically for lower-income enrollees who qualify for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) — as low as $80 for those under 150% of the federal poverty level — but Bronze plans aren’t eligible for CSRs, so Bronze enrollees pay the full average regardless of income. Whether enhanced subsidies get extended for 2027 is still an open legislative question (the House passed a 3-year extension in January 2026, but the Senate had not passed matching legislation as of this writing) — worth a check closer to open enrollment, since it would directly affect 2027 premiums and, indirectly, how many people can afford lower-deductible plans.
• Total Premium Cost at Large Self-Insured Employers (~$25,000 to $27,000 Per Year): This isn’t a deductible — it’s the average total annual premium cost (combined employer and employee share) for family coverage at large, self-insured companies, according to Johns Hopkins, a figure roughly in line with KFF’s own $26,993 average family-premium finding. It’s included here for context on the overall financial burden of coverage, separate from the deductible amount itself.
• High Deductible Health Plans (Minimum $1,750 for Individuals, $3,500 for Families): High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are often paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and offer some advantages. For 2027, the IRS defines an HDHP deductible as at least $1,750 for individuals and $3,500 for families (up from $1,700/$3,400 in 2026). These minimums ensure the plans qualify for tax-advantaged HSA contributions. Of course, some HDHPs sold on the ACA marketplace have deductibles significantly higher than the HDHP minimum — up toward the 2027 HDHP out-of-pocket maximum of $8,700 for individuals.

Why Average Deductible Prices Vary

As seen above, average deductibles vary significantly based on factors like:

1. How you’re insured. Employer plans tend to have lower deductibles. Employers subsidize premiums and negotiate provider rates. Marketplace plans, meanwhile, are designed to be available to individuals and families purchasing coverage independently. Some plans trade higher cost-sharing for lower monthly premiums.
2. Plan tiers. ACA plans have different “metal” tiers. Bronze plans have the lowest premium but the highest cost-sharing, including deductibles. Gold and platinum plans have higher premiums but lower deductible requirements.
3. Subsidies and CSRs. Income-based cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) on the ACA marketplace can dramatically lower deductibles for eligible consumers, but not everyone qualifies, and CSRs only apply to Silver-tier plans.

What This Means for 2027 Health Insurance Deductibles

If you have employer-sponsored coverage, expect your typical deductible to be under $2,000, although high-deductible options could exceed that amount, depending on plan design.

If you’re shopping on the ACA marketplace, be prepared for average deductibles in the roughly $5,300 (Silver) to $7,200 (Bronze) range, if not higher, unless you qualify for cost-sharing reductions on a Silver plan.

Meanwhile, if you’re considering an HDHP with an HSA, your deductible will be higher by design, but you’ll get extra tax advantages to help offset that cost.

Rising deductibles have been the trend in recent years, and 2026 saw one of the sharpest jumps yet after enhanced ACA subsidies expired: today, the average deductible ranges from roughly $1,900 on employer plans to $5,300–$7,200 for many individual marketplace plans, with much higher numbers possible for people who don’t qualify for subsidies or cost-sharing reductions. Whether 2027 brings relief depends heavily on whether Congress extends enhanced subsidies — worth watching as open enrollment approaches.

By knowing these figures and taking action, however, you can budget wisely and choose coverage that makes sense for your health needs and financial situation.