Glossary · Marketplace
What are health plan metal levels?
Metal levels are the Marketplace plan categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. They are based on how you and the plan split costs, not on quality of care.
Definition and figures from HealthCare.gov glossary, checked October 23, 2026. This page explains the term; it does not recommend a plan.
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Metal levels (health plan categories): the facts
| Item | Fact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Categories | Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum (Catastrophic for some people) | HealthCare.gov glossary: Health plan categories |
| Bronze | Usually the lowest premiums and the highest costs when you get care | HealthCare.gov glossary: Bronze health plan |
| Platinum | Usually the highest premiums and the most paid when you get care | HealthCare.gov glossary: Platinum health plan |
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What does metal levels mean in health insurance?
Metal levels are the Marketplace plan categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. They are based on how you and the plan split costs, not on quality of care.