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Plain explainers for choosing and paying for marketplace coverage.
Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum What metal levels mean and why silver is the subsidy benchmark.How premium tax credits work Benchmark silver, income and family size, advance vs. tax time.How to choose a plan Total cost, networks, drugs, out-of-pocket maximum and deadlines.Enrollment periods Open enrollment dates and the life events that open a special window.Short-term plans vs ACA plans What short-term plans can exclude - and when they are a mistake.COBRA vs marketplace How to compare COBRA and a subsidised marketplace plan after a job loss.
Written and maintained by the US Health Insurance Marketplace data team · last reviewed 2026-10-24 · sources and methodology.