How to pick a health insurance plan
Health plan categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum
Marketplace plans are put into 4 categories (or "metal levels"): Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Catastrophic plans are a 5th category available to people under 30 and some people with limited incomes.
The categories have nothing to do with the quality of care you get in a plan. Generally, the difference between categories is based on the plan's share and your share of costs for covered services. If you qualify for extra savings (based on your income) and enroll in a Silver plan, the plan pays more and you pay less. Learn more about extra savings.
Cost estimates when you get care
| Plan Category: | Plan pays: | You pay: | Deductible is generally: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 60% | 40% | High |
| Silver | 70% | 30% | Moderate |
| Silver with extra savings | 73-96% | 6-27% (Depends how much savings you qualify for) | Low |
| Gold | 80% | 20% | Low |
| Platinum | 90% | 10% | Low |
How do I pick a plan category?
When you shop for a Marketplace plan, think about:
- Your total spending on health care, not just the . Review plans in different categories to see how the plan's share of costs can adjust the estimate for your total yearly costs. Get more details to estimate your total yearly costs.
- Enrolling in a Silver plan if you qualify for extra savings. You'll find out if you qualify for "extra savings" when you apply for a Marketplace plan. You only get the extra savings if you enroll in a Silver plan.
- The premium tax credit. You'll also find out if you qualify for a premium tax credit when you apply for a Marketplace plan. If you qualify, you can get lower premium costs in any metal plan category.
- Coverage. All Marketplace plans in every plan category must cover the same 10 essential health benefits, including preventive services. Many plans also offer programs that help manage chronic diseases and health conditions before you meet your deductible. Discover what Marketplace plans cover.
- Quality of care. Compare each plan's quality with their , a star rating on a scale of 1-5. The name of a plan category has nothing to do with its quality of care.