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    Let’s dig even deeper into ACA coverage.

     

    Now that we’ve touched on Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, let’s get into the specifics. You’ll learn about what ACA plans cover, how to get plan savings, what metal level is for you and more. Ready? Let’s get started.

     
     
     

    Go back to How Coverage Works

     

    Quick guide to metal tiers and costs

     

    All ACA plans are assigned a metal tier: Platinum*, Gold, Silver or Bronze. You might also hear them called “metal levels.”

    At first, you might think that Gold is better than Silver. Or that Silver is better than Bronze. In fact, metal tiers don’t have anything to do with the quality of care you’ll receive. All ACA plans cover those 10 essential benefits categories. What’s different across metal levels is how the plan splits costs with you through premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays.

    In general, the higher a plan’s metal level, the higher your premium and the lower your out-of-pocket costs. The lower a plan’s metal level, the lower your premium and the higher your out-of-pocket costs.

    Platinum*

    You want the lowest costs for care, even if it means the highest premium.

     

    Maybe you’re managing a condition or planning surgery. And you'll take a heftier premium if the tradeoff is paying much less when you receive care.

     

    You’re Platinum*

     

    - Highest monthly premiums

    - Lowest out-of-pocket costs

    - Lowest deductibles

    - Can apply for premium discounts

    Gold

    You’re OK with paying a higher premium to keep your care costs in check.

     

    You plan to use a lot of medical services next year. And you’d rather pay more up front to lower your costs later when you get care.

     

    You’re Gold

     

    - Higher monthly premium

    - Lower out-of-pocket costs

    - Lower deductibles

    - Can apply for premium discounts

    Silver

    You want to balance your premium costs with your out-of-pocket costs.

     

    Your premium won’t be the highest. And your costs when you get care won’t be the lowest. You’ll be somewhere in the middle.

     

    You’re Silver

     

    - Moderate monthly premium

    - Moderate out-of-pocket costs

    - Lower deductibles than Bronze plans

    - Can apply for premium discounts and extra plan savings

    Bronze

    You mainly want to protect yourself from worst-case health scenarios.

     

    You’re in good health, and you don’t need to see doctors often. But you also don’t want to break the bank if a major health issue comes up.

     

    You’re Bronze

     

    - Lowest monthly premium

    - Highest out-of-pocket costs

    - Highest deductibles

    - Can apply for premium discounts

     
     

    *We don’t offer Platinum plans … yet. You can check out the great features of our Gold, Silver and Bronze plans on AetnaCVSHealth.com.

    Legal notices

    Health plans are offered or underwritten or administered by Coventry Health Plan of Florida, Inc., Aetna Health Inc. (Georgia), Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Health of Utah Inc., Aetna Health Inc. (Pennsylvania), or Aetna Health Inc. (Texas) (Aetna). Aetna is part of the CVS Health family of companies. 

    Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations.