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Plan Types and Metal Tiers

Understanding ACA Plan Types & Metal Tiers

Section titled “Understanding ACA Plan Types & Metal Tiers”

When you shop for health insurance through the Marketplace, you’ll see plans grouped into metal tiers:

  • Bronze
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Platinum

These tiers help you compare how much you’ll pay each month versus when you get care. All plans cover the same essential health benefits—the difference is in how costs are shared.

Bronze Plans

Section titled “Bronze Plans”
  • Lowest monthly premium
  • Highest out-of-pocket costs when you get care
  • Good if you’re healthy and want protection from worst-case scenarios
  • Plan pays ~60%, you pay ~40%

Silver Plans

Section titled “Silver Plans”
  • Moderate monthly premium
  • Moderate out-of-pocket costs
  • Best if you qualify for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs)
  • Plan pays ~70%, you pay ~30%

If you qualify for extra savings based on income, you must choose a Silver plan to get them.

Gold Plans

Section titled “Gold Plans”
  • Higher monthly premium
  • Lower out-of-pocket costs
  • Good if you expect regular medical care or prescriptions
  • Plan pays ~80%, you pay ~20%

Platinum Plans

Section titled “Platinum Plans”
  • Highest monthly premium
  • Lowest out-of-pocket costs
  • Best if you need frequent care and want predictable costs
  • Plan pays ~90%, you pay ~10%

Catastrophic Plans (Limited Availability)

Section titled “Catastrophic Plans (Limited Availability)”
  • Only for people under 30 or those with a hardship exemption
  • Very low premiums, very high deductibles
  • Covers essential benefits and 3 primary care visits before deductible

To see a comprehensive list of tier levels, view this chart.

Which Tier Should You Choose?

Section titled “Which Tier Should You Choose?”
If You…Consider This Tier
Want the lowest monthly cost and rarely see a doctorBronze
Qualify for cost-sharing reductionsSilver
Expect regular care or prescriptionsGold
Want predictable costs and don’t mind higher premiumsPlatinum
Are under 30 and want basic protectionCatastrophic

All Plans Include

Section titled “All Plans Include”
  • No-cost preventive care
  • Coverage for preexisting conditions
  • No lifetime or annual limits
  • Access to essential health benefits

How to Get Help

Section titled “How to Get Help”

To apply: