Metal tiers describe the split between what the plan pays and what you pay across a typical population. Bronze carries the least of your costs at the lowest premium; platinum the reverse. The tier says nothing about the quality of the doctors or the size of the network.
- Bronze — lowest premium, highest deductible. Suits someone who rarely uses care and wants protection from catastrophe.
- Silver — the tier where cost-sharing reductions attach for lower incomes, which frequently makes it cheaper in total than bronze despite the higher premium.
- Gold and platinum — higher premium, lower cost at the point of care. Suits predictable, regular medical needs.
The mistake worth avoiding. People moving off a $0-premium program sort by price, pick bronze, and then meet a deductible they cannot clear when they need care. At modest incomes, price out silver with cost-sharing reductions before deciding.
Whatever tier you pick, the network question is separate and matters more day to day.
Also called: bronze plan, silver plan, gold plan, metal level. Reference: Metal tiers (bronze, silver, gold, platinum) on Wikipedia — general definition, not New York specifics.
More in Glossary of health coverage and billing terms
- Federal poverty level (FPL) — A federal income benchmark, updated each January, that decides eligibility for most health programs in New York.
- Deductible — The amount you pay yourself each year before the insurance plan starts paying its share.
- Copay — A fixed amount you pay for a specific service — $25 for a visit, $10 for a generic drug.
This page explains how the system works. It is not medical advice. More.