HDHP vs PPO Plan

Estimate the total annual cost of a high deductible plan against a PPO, combining premiums, your expected medical spend, and any employer HSA contribution.

HDHP monthly premium $120

PPO monthly premium $320

Expected annual medical spend $3,000

HDHP deductible $2,500

Employer HSA contribution $750

Estimated Annual Savings With The Cheaper Plan

At your expected level of medical spending

HDHP Total Cost

Premiums plus spend less HSA

PPO Total Cost

Premiums plus a share of spend

Estimated Total Annual Cost

💡 The Read

HDHP vs PPO Plan Calculator

Picking a health plan during open enrollment often comes down to the premium, but that is only one piece. A high deductible health plan, or HDHP, usually has a low premium and a large deductible, while a PPO charges a higher premium in exchange for richer coverage and lower out of pocket costs. The plan that wins depends on how much care you expect to use. This calculator combines premiums, your expected medical spend, and any employer HSA contribution into a single estimated total for each plan so you can compare them on equal footing.

The model is intentionally simplified. The HDHP total is twelve months of premium plus the lesser of your spend or the deductible, then reduced by the employer HSA deposit, since that money offsets your costs. The PPO total is twelve months of premium plus a capped $500 share of spend to stand in for copays. Real plans layer in coinsurance and an out of pocket maximum, so treat the gap as a directional signal rather than an exact bill. The pattern it reveals is reliable: low spenders tend to favor the HDHP, heavy users often favor the PPO.

These results are estimates, not insurance advice. Plan documents, networks, and prescription coverage vary widely, and the employer HSA contribution can tip a close call. Use the comparison to shortlist a plan, then check the official summary of benefits and your expected providers before you enroll.