What Is a Catastrophic Plan?
A catastrophic plan is the most bare-bones ACA-compliant option. It has the lowest premiums of any marketplace plan and the highest deductible ($10,600 in 2026 — equal to the out-of-pocket maximum). It's designed to protect you from financial ruin in a worst-case scenario while keeping monthly costs minimal.
Who Can Get a Catastrophic Plan
- Under 30 years old: Available to anyone under 30, regardless of income
- Hardship exemption: Anyone with a hardship or affordability exemption from the marketplace
If you're 30 or older without an exemption, catastrophic plans are not available to you.
What Catastrophic Plans Cover
- 3 free primary care visits per year (before deductible)
- Free preventive care (checkups, vaccinations, screenings — $0)
- All essential health benefits — after you meet the $10,600 deductible
- Same $10,600 out-of-pocket cap as all ACA plans
What You Give Up
- Not eligible for premium subsidies — you pay full price
- $10,600 deductible — you pay 100% of everything (except the 3 PCP visits and preventive care) until you hit $10,600
- No cost-sharing reductions
Catastrophic vs. Bronze: A catastrophic plan often costs slightly less than a Bronze plan per month. But if you qualify for subsidies, a Bronze plan could cost $0/month — making it cheaper AND better than catastrophic. Always check your subsidy eligibility before defaulting to catastrophic.
Catastrophic vs. Short-Term
Both have low premiums, but catastrophic plans are ACA-compliant: they cover pre-existing conditions, have no lifetime limits, and include all essential health benefits after the deductible. Short-term plans do not. For anyone under 30, a catastrophic plan is almost always better than short-term.
Related Terms
- Premium
- Deductible
- Out-of-Pocket Maximum
- Metal Tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)
- Short-Term Health Insurance
Last updated: March 30, 2026.
