About half (51 percent) of households have enough liquid assets to cover a higher-range annual deductible of $2,500 for an individual or $5,000 for a family. In 2015 plans offered through Healthcare.gov, the average combined medical and drug deductible for single coverage in a silver plan was $2,556.

Among low- and moderate-income households, even fewer are able to meet deductibles.

For example, just a third of lower-income families have sufficient liquid financial assets to cover a $1,200 deductible for an individual or a $2,400 deductible for a family, and 20 percent have enough to cover an annual deductible of $2,500 for an individual or $5,000 for a family.

Kaiser researchers also noted that the estimates are conservative as they assume that people have all of their liquid assets available to pay their health care bills.

The research is important as many employers are turning to high deductible health plans to combat their own expenses providing health coverage for employees.

Previous analysis released last fall from Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust found that deductibles are up nearly 50 percent since 2009. Since that year, the average deductible has increased 47 percent to $1,217, researchers said. That's compared to $826 in 2009.