A health insurance plan with a low monthly premium and very high annual deductible designed to protect customers from worst-case situations like a serious injury or illness. This type of plan is available to individuals under age 30 at the beginning of the plan year, or those who qualify for a hardship exemption. Catastrophic plans are required to cover the same essential health benefits as other Marketplace plans, including certain preventive services at no cost when delivered by an in-network provider. They also cover at least three primary care visits during the plan year, but consumers pay all other medical costs until the annual deductible is met. Then the plan pays 100% for covered services for the rest of the plan year. Premium Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing Reductions may not be used with this type of plan.