What's 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 View original ↗

In short

The metal levels split costs between you and the plan. They don't mean better care.
Bronze: plan pays about 60%. Silver 70%. Gold 80%. Platinum 90%.
Extra savings only come with a Silver plan.

What this means

HealthCare.gov puts Marketplace plans in four categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. It says the categories have nothing to do with the quality of care you get [1]. The difference is how costs are split between the plan and you for covered services. Bronze is 60% and 40%. Silver is 70% and 30%. Gold is 80% and 20%. Platinum is 90% and 10% [1].

These are estimates. The actual costs you pay vary by plan [1]. If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions (extra savings), you must enroll in a Silver plan to get them [2].

Your next step

Check whether you qualify for cost-sharing reductions (extra savings); if you do, you must enroll in a Silver plan to get them [2]. The metal levels split costs between you and the plan and say nothing about the quality of care [1]. The sources give no deadline.

Check it yourself

Open HealthCare.gov, Health plan categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, & Platinum, at https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/plans-categories/ and read the part quoted above. Source 2 lists another page to open. Your own plan or policy papers hold details these sources do not give: "Don't know yet" for your case.

Where this comes from (2)

[1] HealthCare.gov · checked 2026-11-06
Marketplace plans are put into 4 categories (or "metal levels"): Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum … The categories have nothing to do with the quality of care you get in a plan … Bronze 60% 40% High Silver 70% 30% Moderate … Gold 80% 20% Low Platinum 90% 10% Low
[2] HealthCare.gov · checked 2026-11-06
If you qualify, you must enroll in a plan in the Silver category to get the extra savings

How we found this

We matched your question to 2 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

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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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