when deciding whether to choose a plan with a high or low deductible estimate your likely medical expenses for the year and research the premiums deductibles and out of pocket maximums for the available plans 
examples of out of pocket expenseshere s an example of work related out of pocket expenses assume an employee has a meeting with a potential client the employee spends 250 on airfare 50 on uber rides 100 on a hotel and 100 on meals all charged to their own credit card after the trip the employee submits an expense report for 500 for their out of pocket expenses the employer then issues a reimbursement check for 500 to the employee one example of out of pocket health expenses is prescription medications many health insurance plans cover prescriptions but the amount you pay depends on your deductible responsibilities if you have not met your deductible amount you will have to pay out of pocket for any prescription medications until you have however some health insurance plans allow generic drugs to be purchased at discounted rates regardless of whether the annual deductible has been met some medical plans have a combined medical and prescription deductible here s an example lisa has a 2 500 combined deductible she has already paid 2 350 in out of pocket expenses toward her deductible and now needs to purchase 150 worth of prescription medicine lisa s out of pocket cost will be 150 however her combined deductible will now be met for the year 