Health Plan Categories
Plans in the Marketplace are primarily separated into 4 health plan categories — Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum — based on the percentage the plan pays of the average overall cost of providing essential health benefits to members.
♦ The plan category you choose affects the total amount you'll likely spend for essential health benefits during the year.
The percentages the plans will spend, on average, are 60% (Bronze), 70% (Silver), 80% (Gold), and 90% (Platinum). This isn't the same as coinsurance, in which you pay a specific percentage of the cost of a specific service.
How you and your insurance plan split costs, for each metal category —
| Plan Category | Insurer Pays | You Pay |
| Bronze | 60% | 40% |
| Silver | 705 | 30% |
| Gold | 80% | 20% |
| Platinum | 90% | 10% |
• Generally, plans in the Bronze category have the lowest premiums but the highest deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs.
• Platinum plans generally have the highest premiums but the lowest deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs.
♦ If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions based on your income and enroll in a Silver plan, you can get the best of both worlds:
A fairly low premium, plus a lower deductible and other out-of-pocket costs.
Related content
• What are qualified health plans ?
• How out-of-pocket cost-sharing reductions can save you money ?
