Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans explained

The metal level tells you how much of an average person's medical costs the plan pays — not how good the plan is for you.

Actuarial value

Metal levels correspond to actuarial value: the share of covered benefits the plan pays for a standard population. Bronze ≈ 60%, Silver ≈ 70%, Gold ≈ 80%, Platinum ≈ 90%. Catastrophic plans pay less and are only available to people under 30 or with a hardship exemption.

What that means in practice

Bronze has the lowest premium and the highest deductible — good if you rarely need care but want protection from a catastrophe. Silver costs more per month but has a lower deductible, and it is the only level where people with income up to 250% of the federal poverty level can get cost-sharing reductions, which can make a silver plan cheaper overall than bronze. Gold and Platinum have higher premiums and lower costs when you use care — better for people who expect regular treatment.

Why silver is the benchmark

Premium tax credits are calculated against the second-lowest-cost silver plan in your area (the "benchmark plan"). That is why the silver price on each county page matters even if you intend to buy bronze or gold.

The real decision

Compare total expected cost, not just the premium: premium × 12 + deductible you expect to use + copays + the drugs you take, all within the network. Check that your doctors and hospitals are in-network, and check prescription formularies.

Written and maintained by the US Health Insurance Marketplace data team · last reviewed 2026-10-24 · sources and methodology.