Things to think about when comparing Marketplace plans
- There are 4 categories of healthcare plans: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These categories show how you and your plan share costs. Plan categories have nothing to do with quality of care.
- HealthCare.gov offers health insurance plan quality ratings (star ratings), that reflect member experience, medical care, and health plan administration. The ratings let you quickly compare plans based on quality.
- When choosing a plan, it’s a good idea to think about your total healthcare cost. You pay a monthly bill to your insurance company (a "premium"), even if you don’t use medical services that month. You pay out-of-pocket costs, including a deductible, when you get care.
- Some plan types allow you to use almost any doctor or health care facility. Other plans limit your choices or charge you more if you use providers outside their network.
