ACA Metal Tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Explained
Every Marketplace plan is labeled by how it splits costs with you. The label tells you the trade between premium and out-of-pocket costs, not the quality of care.
| Tier | Plan pays (average) | Premium | Costs when you get care | Often fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | About 60% | Lowest | Highest | Healthy people who mainly want protection from a bad year; some are HSA-eligible |
| Silver | About 70% | Moderate | Moderate | Anyone under 250% of the poverty line (cost-sharing reductions only apply to silver) |
| Gold | About 80% | High | Low | People expecting regular care or a planned procedure |
| Platinum | About 90% | Highest | Lowest | High, predictable medical use (not sold in every area) |
| Catastrophic | — | Low | Very high until the out-of-pocket maximum | Under 30, or with a hardship exemption; no tax credit |
The fastest way to compare is total yearly cost: premiums plus what you’d pay for care. Our metal tier calculator shows the spending level where a higher tier starts to pay off.
Typical deductibles, 2026 plans
| Tier | Median deductible | Median out-of-pocket max | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $7,500 | $10,000 | 1,300 |
| Silver | $6,000 | $8,900 | 1,453 |
| Gold | $2,000 | $8,200 | 1,172 |
| Platinum | $0 | $5,200 | 44 |
| Silver, income 100–150% of poverty (94%) | $0 | $1,750 | 1,453 |
| Silver, 150–200% (87%) | $700 | $3,300 | 1,453 |
| Silver, 200–250% (73%) | $3,000 | $7,500 | 1,453 |
One person, in-network, across every on-exchange plan in the 30 HealthCare.gov states, each plan counted once. Source: CMS plan year 2026 Exchange public use files. The silver rows show what the same silver plans charge people who qualify for cost-sharing reductions: at 100–150% of the poverty line the typical deductible drops to $0.
Cost-sharing reductions: why silver can beat gold
If your household income is between 100% and 250% of the poverty line and you buy a silver plan through the Marketplace, you automatically get a version with a lower deductible, copays and out-of-pocket maximum. At the lowest incomes a silver plan pays about 94% of average costs, more than platinum, for a silver premium. These reductions don’t apply to bronze or gold, so below 250% of the poverty line, compare silver first. The subsidy calculator shows your income as a share of the poverty line.
| Income (% of poverty line) | Silver plan pays, on average |
|---|---|
| 100% to 150% | 94% |
| 150% to 200% | 87% |
| 200% to 250% | 73% |
| Above 250% | 70% (standard silver) |
Questions
What is the difference between bronze and silver plans?
Bronze plans have lower premiums and higher deductibles; on average they pay about 60% of covered costs versus about 70% for silver. Silver is the only tier where cost-sharing reductions apply.
Do metal tiers affect which doctors I can see?
No. The tier only describes cost sharing. Networks depend on the plan and insurer; check the provider directory.
Can I use the premium tax credit on any tier?
Yes, on bronze, silver, gold or platinum. It can’t be used on catastrophic plans.
Sources
Official sources only, checked October 17, 2026.
- HealthCare.gov, “The ‘metal’ categories” — healthcare.gov.
- HealthCare.gov, “Catastrophic health plans” — healthcare.gov.
- CMS, 2027 maximum out-of-pocket guidance — cms.gov PDF.
Educational information, not medical, legal or financial advice. We are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. · Advertiser disclosure