Metal tiers (Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum)
Marketplace categories that show how a plan splits costs between you and the plan, from Bronze (you pay more when you get care) to Platinum (you pay less).
In plain English
Bronze: lower premiums, higher costs at the doctor. Platinum: the reverse.
Why it matters when choosing a plan
Tier is about cost-sharing, not quality of care; match it to how much care you expect.
Related terms
Premium
Managing your health and finances requires a clear understanding of the costs involved in staying protected. In the world of insurance, a premium is the fundamental building block of your coverage plan.
Deductible
Understanding how a deductible works is the first step toward mastering your personal finances and health coverage. In the United States insurance market, this term represents the specific dollar amount you must pay out of pocket for covered services before your insurance provider begins to pay its share.
Cost-Sharing Reduction
Extra savings that lower deductibles, copays and coinsurance for eligible people who choose certain Marketplace plans.
Catastrophic plan
A low-premium, very high-deductible Marketplace plan available to certain younger people or those with a hardship exemption.
Related guides and articles
ACA Marketplace guide: subsidies, metal tiers and enrollment periods
The Health Insurance Marketplace was created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to give individuals and families one place to compare plans and get help paying for them. If you don't have affordable coverage through a job, it's often the best place to start.
The complete guide to choosing a health insurance plan
Choosing health insurance can feel overwhelming. There are unfamiliar terms, dozens of plans, and real money at stake.