What do Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans mean?

Understanding the Metal Levels

Marketplace plans are grouped into four main categories known as metal levels. These four main tiers are known as Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The label you choose does not reflect how good the medical attention will be. Rather, these tiers differ by how much of the cost for covered services the plan covers versus how much you cover.

How Costs Are Split

For covered services, the plan pays part of the bill and you pay the rest. On average, a Bronze plan pays about 60% and you pay 40%; Silver pays about 70%; Gold about 80%; and Platinum about 90%. A Bronze plan usually pairs a high deductible with a smaller monthly premium, and deductibles come down as you move up a tier. These shares are averages, and what you actually pay depends on the plan, so look at your total yearly spending, not just the monthly premium.

Silver Plans and Extra Savings

Choosing a Silver plan provides specific perks if your income makes you eligible for extra savings. Here, the plan covers a larger portion of costs, leaving you with a smaller share. When you submit your application for a Marketplace plan, the system will tell you if you can access these additional savings. These extra savings apply only when you select a Silver plan. This discount lowers the amount you pay for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

Catastrophic Plan Eligibility

Catastrophic plans are a fifth category, where they are offered. They are open to people under 30 and to people granted an exemption for hardship or affordability, and they mainly protect against very large medical bills. Check whether you qualify for savings before you pick one, since savings may make a metal plan the better buy.

Health Savings Accounts

A Health Savings Account can help you cover health care costs. Health Savings Accounts pair with all Bronze and Catastrophic plans, as well as some plans in other categories. Using untaxed dollars from a Health Savings Account to cover deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and other eligible expenses may reduce your total health care spending. You typically cannot use HSA funds to pay premiums.

Choosing the Right Plan

Regardless of the tier, every Marketplace plan is required to include 10 essential health benefits, such as preventive services. Before your deductible kicks in, many plans offer programs that assist with handling chronic diseases and other health conditions. Check the quality rating for each plan, which uses a star scale from 1 to 5. If you are eligible for the premium tax credit, you can reduce premium costs across any metal tier.

Picking a tier is only half of it; you also need to sign up at the right time. See when you can sign up for a Marketplace health plan.

Common questions

Last reviewed October 2026. Rules and prices can change; check the sources below for the official details.