What does the carry over provision allow insured individuals to do?

The carry-over provision allows insured individuals to reduce their deductible in the following year's insurance plan. This provision typically applies to health insurance policies, where any expenses that exceed the deductible in a given calendar year can be applied to the deductible for the next policy year. As a result, if an insured individual has a carry-over of expenses, they effectively have a lower amount to meet for the deductible in the subsequent year. This feature encourages individuals to seek necessary healthcare services without being overly burdened by out-of-pocket costs.

The other options do not accurately reflect the purpose or functionality of the carry-over provision. Combining multiple policies typically refers to bundling or coordinating benefits across different insurance plans, which is unrelated to the concept of a carry-over. The freedom to choose healthcare providers relates more to the terms of the health plan network rather than a carry-over provision. Restoring benefits each year usually refers to reinstating certain coverage limits or benefits, which does not pertain to the idea of carrying over deductible amounts.