Five Health Plan Levels of Coverage
All Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) must belong to one of the five Health Plan Levels of Coverage. They are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Catastrophic. The first four are known as “metal levels” plans.
“Metal Level” Plans
Four of the Health Plan Levels of Coverage are metal level plans are defined by their actuarial values. Actuarial Value (AV) is the average measure of generosity – the percentage of medical costs the plan will cover after premium payments. For example, a plan with an actuarial value of 70% will pay, on average, 70% of medical costs; you will be responsible for 30%.
There are four metal levels of coverage:
- Bronze level – a health plan with AV of 60%
- Silver level – a health plan with AV of 70%. It is used for calculating the premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions
- Gold level – a health plan with AV of 80%
- Platinum level – a health plan with AV of 90%
The Bronze plan has the lowest amount of coverage (and lowest premium), the Platinum has the highest amount of coverage (and highest premium) – see Table 1.
Table 1. Four Plan Levels of Coverage
| Plan Name | Cost-Sharing Limits (2019) | Covers Essential Health Benefits | Plan Pays on Average | Enrollees Pay On Average | |
| Individuals | Family | ||||
| Bronze | $7,900 | $15,800 | Yes | 60% | 40% |
| Silver | $7,900 | $15,800 | Yes | 70% | 30% |
| Gold | $7,900 | $15,800 | Yes | 80% | 20% |
| Platinum | $7,900 | $15,800 | Yes | 90% | 10% |
The minimum allowable actuarial value is 60%. Notice that the scope of benefits will be the same among the plans, but the AV of those benefits will be different among the plans.
Premiums for different plans at the same tier will vary from one insurance vendor to another. All insurance vendors in the Marketplace must offer at least Silver and Gold plans. The issuer must agree to charge the same premium rate whether offered directly through the Marketplace or outside the Marketplace.
Health Plan Levels of Coverage: Catastrophic Coverage
You may also elect the catastrophic coverage on the Marketplace. To qualify for this coverage, you must
- Be under the age of 30, OR
- Be exempt from the requirement to purchase coverage due to affordability, and obtain a hardship waiver from the Marketplace
Catastrophic plans
- Have higher deductibles and lower premiums than Bronze plan
- Include coverage of three annual visits to your primary care doctor and preventive services without cost sharing
- Have the same cost-sharing limits as other plans ($7,900 for an individual and $15,800 for a family in 2019)
Reading Sources
Understanding Marketplace Health Insurance Categories
Understanding Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Health Insurance Plans
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