Quick answer
The metal levels tell you how you and your plan split the cost of care, not how good the care is. A bronze plan pays about 60% of covered costs for an average person, silver about 70%, gold about 80% and platinum about 90%. Bronze has the lowest premiums and highest out-of-pocket costs, and platinum the reverse. Every level covers the same essential health benefits.
Key takeaways
- All metal levels cover the same essential benefits, from hospital care and prescriptions to maternity and mental health care.
- Lower metal levels mean lower premiums but higher deductibles, copays and coinsurance.
- If your income is under 250% of the poverty level, silver plans come with cost-sharing reductions that can make them better than gold.
- In 2026, 40% of marketplace shoppers picked bronze, up from 30% a year earlier, after the larger subsidies expired.
- Since 2026, bronze plans are HSA-eligible.
On this page
The four levels at a glance
| Level | Plan pays, on average | Premium | Costs when you get care | Often a fit for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | About 60% | Lowest | Highest; deductibles often several thousand dollars | Healthy people who want protection from big bills |
| Silver | About 70% | Moderate | Moderate, and much lower with cost-sharing reductions | People under 250% of the poverty level; people who want a middle ground |
| Gold | About 80% | Higher | Lower | People who see doctors often or take regular medications |
| Platinum | About 90% | Highest | Lowest | People who expect a lot of care and want predictable costs |
The percentages describe an average person. If you only get a free checkup this year, you’ll pay nothing either way. If you have surgery, how much you pay depends on your plan’s deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket limit. How you meet your deductible walks through it.
What every level covers
Every marketplace plan, at any metal level, covers the ACA’s 10 essential health benefits:
- Doctor visits and outpatient care
- Emergency services
- Hospital stays
- Maternity and newborn care
- Mental health and substance use treatment
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitation, like physical therapy
- Lab tests
- Preventive care and chronic disease management
- Children’s care, including dental and vision
Plans at the same level can still differ a lot in networks, drug lists, deductibles and copays, so compare the details, not just the metal.
Bronze
Bronze plans have the lowest premiums and the highest deductibles. They’re built for people who rarely need care but want protection from a large bill. Preventive care is still free, and some bronze plans cover a few visits or generic drugs before the deductible. Since 2026, bronze plans from the marketplace can be paired with an HSA, which lets you save for the deductible with pre-tax money.
Silver
Silver plans sit in the middle, and they’re the only plans that come with cost-sharing reductions. If your household income is under 250% of the federal poverty level, a silver plan’s deductible, copays and out-of-pocket limit are lowered automatically. Under 150% of the poverty level, a silver plan can cover about 94% of costs, better than platinum.
The premium tax credit is also tied to silver: it’s based on the second-lowest-cost silver plan in your area, though you can apply it to any metal level. See health insurance for low-income families and how subsidies work.
Gold
Gold plans cost more each month but less when you use care. They fit people with ongoing conditions, regular prescriptions or a planned surgery. In many areas, silver premiums are inflated by the way insurers price cost-sharing reductions, so a gold plan can cost about the same as silver, or even less, once your tax credit is applied. Always compare.
Platinum
Platinum plans have the highest premiums and the lowest out-of-pocket costs. They aren’t sold everywhere. They make sense mainly if you expect a lot of care and want predictable bills.
Catastrophic plans
Catastrophic plans fall outside the metal levels. They have low premiums and a deductible equal to the out-of-pocket maximum, $10,600 in 2026. You can buy one if you’re under 30 or have a hardship exemption. See catastrophic health insurance.
How to choose a level
- Expect little care and have savings: bronze, possibly with an HSA.
- Income under 250% of the poverty level: start with silver.
- Regular prescriptions or specialist visits: compare silver and gold total costs.
- A planned surgery, pregnancy or ongoing treatment: gold or platinum usually costs less over the year.
Covering a household? Everyone on a family plan has the same metal level; see family health insurance and covering all family members under one policy. Metal levels apply to ACA plans whether you buy them on the marketplace or directly from an insurer, but tax credits are only available through the marketplace.
Compare bronze, silver, gold and platinum plans near you: see quotes by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
Do gold and platinum plans have better doctors?
Not necessarily. Metal level is about cost-sharing. Networks depend on the plan, so check that your doctors are included.
Can I use my premium tax credit on a bronze or gold plan?
Yes. The credit is based on the benchmark silver plan, but you can apply it to any metal level. It can’t be used on a catastrophic plan.
Why is a gold plan cheaper than silver in my area?
Many insurers raise silver premiums to cover the cost of cost-sharing reductions. Since tax credits rise with silver prices, gold and bronze plans can end up unusually cheap after the credit.
Which metal level is most popular?
Silver, with 43% of 2026 marketplace sign-ups, followed by bronze at 40% and gold at 17%.
Sources
This article is general information, not insurance advice. Plans and prices vary by state and county, so compare options on HealthCare.gov, your state’s marketplace or with a licensed agent. Last reviewed September 2026.