QHDHPs, or qualified high deductible health plans, are a type of insurance plan that has a higher medical deductible and typically costs less than a traditional health plan. Qualified means that the health plan can be paired with a health savings account (HSA), which can be used to help pay for those higher out-of-pocket expenses. Annually, the IRS sets HDHP limits that allow a plan to be considered a QHDHP. The 2020 QHDHP amounts are increasing from 2019.

BCBSND will update the deductible and out-of-pocket maximums for our fully insured QHDHPs. As an example, a BlueSaver 80 2700 plan will be updated to a BlueSaver 80 2800. Clients with self-funded arrangements will need to confirm their deductible and out-of-pocket amounts upon their renewal.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the maximum out-of-pocket limit for HDHPs under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These plans may have a deductible and out-of-pocket higher than the QHDHP and would not be eligible for an HSA.

ACA maximum out-of-pocket expenses for HDHPs:

• Single – $8,150 (increased from $7,900 in 2019)
• Family – $16,300 (increased from $15,800 in 2019)