1. Specific dollar amount that must be paid either monthly, quarterly, or annually by an individual, covered family member or a specified amount of time that must elapse before a medical insurance plan or government program begins covering health care costs. For the majority of plans, this amount must be incurred each calendar or fiscal year before insurance benefits will be reimbursed. 2. One deductible that when fulfilled relieves a family of satisfying a deductible for each individual family member.