Reminder: Your MESSA deductible resets Jan. 1

MESSA deductibles will reset on Jan. 1 and run the calendar year through Dec. 31.

Health plan deductibles are similar to the deductibles on your auto and homeowners insurance. A deductible is a fixed amount of money you must pay before MESSA begins to pay your claims.

For MESSA Choices members: You will need to pay the cost of medical services, except most in-network preventive care, until you’ve met your deductible. Deductible expenses incurred in October, November and December will count toward your 2021 deductible.

For MESSA ABC members: You will need to pay the full cost of most in-network services and prescription drug purchases until you reach your deductible, except for certain preventive care and preventive prescriptions that are covered at no cost. If you have two-person or family coverage, you must pay the entire family deductible before claims are paid for any individuals, as required by federal law for a health savings account-qualified plan. Your deductible from the fourth quarter of the year does not carry over into the new year.

For Essentials by MESSA members: As with MESSA Choices, you’ll need to pay out of pocket for the cost of most medical services until you meet your deductible. After that point, you’ll pay coinsurance or copayments for most non-preventive medical services. There is no fourth-quarter carryover of your deductible.

If you have questions about your coverage or deductible, get in touch: messa.org/contact. We’re happy to help.

This article was originally featured in MESSA DiscoverYou November/December 2020.