HDHP vs. PPO calculator

How to read your results

This calculator adds up the true annual cost of each plan: 12 months of premiums, plus your expected out-of-pocket medical spending (capped at the plan's out-of-pocket maximum), minus any tax savings from HSA contributions.

The number that matters most is your expected annual medical spend — be honest about it. If you have a chronic condition, regular prescriptions, or expect a planned procedure, your PPO is more likely to win. If you're generally healthy and rarely see a doctor, the HDHP usually wins because of the lower premium and HSA tax advantage.

What this calculator doesn't include

• Network differences — if your preferred doctors are only in-network on one plan, that may override the cost math entirely.
• HSA investment growth — if you invest unused HSA funds rather than spending them, the long-term value compounds significantly. See our HSA Growth Calculator.
• Employer HSA seed contributions beyond the match — some employers contribute more for completing wellness programs; add that to the employer contribution field.
• Unpredictable events — an unexpected major medical event in either plan is capped at the out-of-pocket maximum, which this calculator already accounts for.

When the HDHP almost always wins

If you're healthy, under 40, and have no planned medical expenses, the HDHP's lower premium plus HSA tax savings typically beats the PPO even if you hit a surprise medical bill — because the premium savings alone often exceed the deductible gap.