Deductible for popular ObamaCare plan rises to almost $4K

The average deductible for the most popular type of ObamaCare plan is rising to almost $4,000 next year, according to a new analysis.

The study from Avalere, a consulting firm, finds that the average deductible for a silver ObamaCare plan, the most popular type, will be $3,937 in 2018, up from $3,703 this year.

That deductible means that many enrollees have significant out of pocket spending before the insurer starts picking up the tab for many services. Lower income enrollees would get reduced deductibles due to subsidies that are provided under the law.

{mosads}High deductibles have been a longstanding Republican criticism of ObamaCare plans.

Gold plan deductibles are also ticking up, while those for bronze plans, a less generous option, are dropping slightly.

“For the most popular exchange plans, we see an increase in deductibles for 2018,” said Elizabeth Carpenter, senior vice president at Avalere. “This trend helps reduce premium costs, but may increase what consumers must pay out-of-pocket for their care.”

More plans are also offering less choice of doctors, through more restrictive networks.

In 2018, 57 percent of plans will be more restrictive, up from 49 percent in 2016, according to Avalere.