What is the purpose of a health insurance policy's deductible?

The purpose of a health insurance policy's deductible is to specify the amount that an insured individual must pay out-of-pocket for healthcare services before the insurance company starts to pay its share of the costs. This means that once the insured has paid the deductible amount, the insurance provider will cover a certain percentage of additional eligible medical expenses, up to the limits defined in the policy. Deductibles help to control healthcare costs and encourage individuals to be more mindful about their spending on medical services, as they have to contribute a certain amount before the insurer steps in to help with payments.

In contrast, the other options address different aspects of health insurance that do not relate to the function of a deductible. Defining enrollment periods pertains to the timing for new applicants to join a health plan, establishing a cap for claims relates to policy limits, and detailing provider responsibilities relates to the contractual relationship between insurers and healthcare providers, none of which are linked to the deductible's role in managing out-of-pocket costs for insured individuals.