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Understanding Marketplace Health Plan Categories (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum)

Learn how Marketplace health plan categories work. See how Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans differ in cost-sharing, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses, and how extra savings may apply to Silver plans.

Sammi Lane avatar
Written by Sammi Lane
Updated over a week ago

Marketplace health plans come in four categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These "metal levels" indicate how the plan's costs are shared between you and the insurer. If your income qualifies you for additional savings known as a Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) and you choose a Silver plan, the plan will cover a larger portion of the costs, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.

Understanding Health Plan Categories: A Breakdown of Cost and Coverage

Health insurance plans are categorized to help you understand your potential out-of-pocket costs and the extent of coverage. Here's a look at the different categories, detailing how much the plan generally pays, your estimated share, and the typical deductible level.

Plan Category

Plan pays:

You pay:

Deductible/Co-pays

Bronze

60%

40%

High

Silver

70%

30%

Moderate

Silver w/ extra savings

73-96%

6-27%

(Depends how much savings you qualify for)

Low

Gold

80%

20%

Low

Platinum

90%

10%

Low

Need Help?

If you need assistance understanding or updating your information, our Consumer Advocate team can help. Call 855-772-2663, Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–4 p.m. PT, or visit www.healthsherpa.com to log into your account and make updates.

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