What is the difference between a family plan with an embedded deductible and one with a non-embedded deductible?

When covered by a family plan with an embedded deductible, the carrier starts paying coinsurance towards a family member’s claims once that family member has met the individual deductible. The family deductible need not be met for coinsurance to start for one family member.

When covered by a family plan with a non-embedded deductible, the carrier does not start paying coinsurance for any family member until the family deductible has been met, even if an individual in the family has met the individual deductible.

In both cases, carriers begin paying coinsurance once the family deductible has been met. This means that for the plan with an embedded deductible, coinsurance payments start once the family deductible has been met even if no family member has met the individual deductible.

If all other plan characteristics are equal, an embedded deductible is more desirable than a non-embedded deductible because it allows a family member to begin receiving the benefit of coinsurance by meeting the individual deductible and by not having to meet the family deductible.