Interactive Comparison
Bronze vs Silver vs Gold — Metal Tier Comparison
Metal tiers describe how a plan splits costs between you and the insurer. Bronze = lowest premium, highest out-of-pocket. Gold = highest premium, lowest out-of-pocket. Silver is special on the Marketplace.
| Feature | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan pays (avg) | ~60% | ~70% | ~80% |
| You pay (avg) | ~40% | ~30% | ~20% |
| Monthly premium | Lowest | Middle | Highest |
| Deductible | Highest | Middle | Lowest |
| CSR eligible on Marketplace | No | Yes (if income qualifies) | No |
| Best for | Healthy, low-usage | Regular care + income-eligible for CSR | Frequent care or chronic conditions |
Want the full deep-dive? This is the short interactive version.
Full Metal Tiers Guide Frequently Asked Questions
If your income qualifies for Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs), the Silver tier is the only tier where CSRs apply — often making it the best actuarial value.
Yes — if you're healthy, have savings, and want the lowest monthly premium plus HSA eligibility on some plans.
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