What is the difference between deductibles and out of pocket expenses and co-payments? These terms are all confusing.

co-pay , you are paying part of the cost and the insurance company is paying the other part. Example - you go to the doctor and pay a $ 25 copay to the doctor. The doctor then files with the insurance company for the rest of his fee. 

Deductible - You go for a lab test or hospital visit. You probably do not have a co-pay so they check with your insurance company and learn that you have a deductible of $ 1,000. You are responsible for the $ 1,000.

Out of pocket expenses. Both copays and deductibles are examples of out of pocket costs. Most plans will have an Out of Pocket Maximum. This is the worst case or maximum that you would be responsible for. 

On and 80/20 plan you might have a $ 1,000 deductible and a $ 3,000 out of pocket. You would pay the first $ 1,000 then the Insurance company is paying 80% of the bill and you are paying 20% until you have spent a total of $ 3,000. The max out of pocket is the number to watch.

There are many variations to how these costs work but this will give you a general idea.