Questions & answers · Health insurance
What is the difference between Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum health plans?
Health insuranceBuying a policyChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: HealthCare.gov · Health plan categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum · page text View original ↗
In short
- The metal level is about how you and the plan share costs. It is not about quality of care.
- Bronze: plan pays about 60%. Platinum: about 90%.
- Bronze and Catastrophic plans work with an HSA.
What this means
HealthCare.gov says Marketplace plans are put into 4 categories, or metal levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Some areas also have Catastrophic plans [1]. The categories have nothing to do with the quality of care you get. The difference is the plan's share and your share of costs for covered services [1].
The page gives estimates. Bronze: the plan pays 60% and you pay 40%, with a high deductible. Silver: 70% and 30%, with a moderate deductible. Gold: 80% and 20%. Platinum: 90% and 10% [1]. The actual costs vary by plan [1]. If you qualify for extra savings and pick a Silver plan, the plan pays more and you pay less [1]. All Bronze and Catastrophic plans work with Health Savings Accounts, and some other plans do too [1].
Your next step
Compare your total yearly spending, not only the premium. Preview plans and prices on HealthCare.gov for your area. The sources give no deadline.
Check it yourself
Plans and prices differ by area and change each year. HealthCare.gov's plan preview shows the real numbers — "Don't know yet" here.
Where this comes from (1)
[1] HealthCare.gov · Health plan categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum · page text · checked 2026-11-06
Marketplace plans are put into 4 categories (or "metal levels"): Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum … If available in their area, Catastrophic plans are a 5th category … The categories have nothing to do with the quality of care you get in a plan … Generally, the difference between categories is based on the plan's share and your share of costs for covered services … Bronze 60% 40% High Silver 70% 30% Moderate … Gold…
How we found this
We matched your question to 1 official source, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
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Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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Answer id CQ4717. Spotted an error? Tell us.