Why Your Health Insurance Maximums Don’t Rise With Inflation

When you look at your extended health care plan, you’ll often see dollar amounts attached to certain benefits. For example, you might have coverage for up to $500 per year for chiropractic services, or $250 every two years for vision care.

It’s natural to wonder: do these amounts go up over time, especially as premiums increase? After all, $500 today doesn’t go nearly as far as it did 15 years ago.

The short answer

The maximums in your health insurance plan do not automatically rise with inflation. If your plan states $500 per year for a chiropractor, that number stays fixed until the plan is updated by the insurance company or the plan sponsor (the organization that set up the plan, such as your employer, association, or professional group).

Premiums may increase over time for many reasons (inflation, claims experience, changes in health care costs), but the stated benefit maximums remain exactly the same unless the plan is upgraded or amended.

Why this matters

Over time, fixed maximums can lose buying power. A $500 benefit in the early 2000s might have covered the bulk of your annual chiropractor visits.

For example:

• In 2005, the average chiropractor visit might have cost about $50. Your $500 maximum could cover 10 visits.
• In 2025, the average visit might cost closer to $85–$100. That same $500 maximum now only covers about 5 or 6 visits.

This is one of the reasons why people sometimes feel their coverage isn’t keeping pace with the real world, even as they notice their premiums increasing.

What are your options?

If you find yourself bumping up against the maximums in your plan year after year, here are a few ways to handle it:

• Budget for the gap. Understand what your plan covers and set aside money to cover any costs above the maximum.
• Look at other plan options. Some plans (or higher-tier versions) offer larger maximums.
• Consider supplemental coverage. Health Spending Accounts (HSAs) and other add-ons can provide more flexibility for expenses that don’t fully fit within the traditional coverage limits.

Bottom line

Health insurance maximums are fixed amounts. They don’t automatically adjust for inflation, so it’s worth reviewing your plan regularly to make sure it still meets your needs. If your benefits feel like they’re falling short, there are ways to supplement or explore other plan designs.

Curious how different health insurance plans compare? Use Aeva.ca to quickly shop and compare plans side by side. It only takes a few minutes to see what’s available and find coverage that works for you.