What financial challenge do many workers face regarding healthcare plans?

High-deductible health plans present a significant financial challenge for many workers because they require individuals to pay a substantial amount out-of-pocket before their insurance coverage begins. These plans often have lower monthly premiums, which can be appealing; however, the trade-off is that workers must meet high deductibles, leading to potentially high initial expenses for medical care.

As a result, many employees may be deterred from seeking necessary medical treatment due to concerns about their out-of-pocket costs, ultimately impacting their health and financial stability. The prevalence of high-deductible plans has become more common as employers look to manage costs, but it has created a situation where employees must weigh their health needs against affordability and financial risk.

In contrast, other options such as excessive employer contributions, free healthcare benefits, and government-funded insurance either do not reflect common challenges or are not widely applicable in the current healthcare landscape, making them less relevant to the financial hurdles many workers face with their healthcare plans.