Covered California Metal Levels – Quick 2026 Comparison
Bronze usually has lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs when you use care.
Gold and Platinum usually cost more each month but generally pay better when you actually need care.
Enhanced Silver 73, 87 & 94 plans can offer some of the best value for people who qualify based on income.
Silver 70 is the most common choice.
| Plan – Metal Level | Best For | Primary Care | Deductible | Max Out-of-Pocket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze 60 | Lower premium, higher cost when you use care | $60 | $5,800 | $9,800 |
| Silver 70 | Balanced option | $50 | $5,200 | $9,800 |
| Silver 73 / 87 / 94 | Lower-income plans with big savings | $15 / $5 | Low or none | $3,350 / $1,400 |
| Gold 80 | Frequent doctor visits or prescriptions | $40 | None | $9,200 |
| Platinum 90 | Highest monthly premium, lowest cost when using care | $15 | None | $5,000 |
Scroll down for the full OFFICIAL Covered CA Chart
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More details and citations below
- 2026 Covered California 2026 Patient-Centered Benefit Plan Designs Final Approval 7/28/2025
- Get Instant Quotes & Subsidy Calculation
- Covered CA bulletin on new and improved Enhanced Silver CSR Cost Sharing Reduction
- Do you think your medical bills will be higher or lower than average for your age & zip code?
- Expected Payout (AV)
- MLR Medical Loss Ratio
- Bronze 60%
- Out-of-Pocket Pain From High-Deductible Plans Means Skimping on Care Kff 12/2025 *
- Enhanced Silver 70% – 94% Gold 80% Platinum 90%
- Metal Levels are based on Expected Claims Payment – that is the actuarial value (AV).
- Renewal Tool Kit
- Patients often can’t afford to pay off what their insurance leaves behind
- This is one way Health Care Reform hopes to make shopping and comparing Instantly – easier. So, if you get a lower priced plan with less or fewer benefits, co-pays, deductibles you simply pay more when you have a claim. Don’t worry, there is a stop loss – maximum out of pocket OOP, of say $7k so that you won’t break the bank.
- Lessons from the ACA: Simplifying Choices to Optimize Health Coverage 12/2025 Commonwealth Fund *
- All plans cover the 10 Federal essential benefits and CA mandated benefits.
- Team Trump’s Answer to Ballooning Obamacare Premiums: Less Generous Coverage KFF.org *
- Our main webpage on Metal Levels
Covered California Metal Levels – Quick Guide
A simple overview of Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, plus Enhanced Silver plans for people who qualify.
| Plan | Best For | Primary Care | Deductible | Max Out-of-Pocket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze 60 | Lower premium, higher costs when you use care | $60 | $5,800 individual | $9,800 individual |
| Silver 70 | Middle-ground option | $50 | $5,200 individual | $9,800 individual |
| Silver 73 / 87 / 94 | Qualified lower-income households | $15 / $5 | $1,400 / none | $3,350 / $1,400 |
| Gold 80 | Regular use of care, labs, prescriptions | $40 | No medical deductible | $9,200 individual |
| Platinum 90 | Highest premium, richest routine benefits | $15 | No medical deductible | $5,000 individual |
General rule: Bronze usually costs less each month but more when you use care. Gold and Platinum usually cost more each month but less when you need treatment. Enhanced Silver can be one of the best values if you qualify.
View the Full Official Covered California 2026 Metal Level Benefits Table
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#Examples of how claims get paid 2017 benefits by Metal Level
There is no free lunch, it’s all a function of the Medical Los Ratio.
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Video’s
- What are the four metal levels? VIDEO
- Steve Explains Enhanced Silver – CSR Cost Sharing Reductions VIDEO
- Explanation of the Rate Difference for Silver between Covered CA and direct – Plain English
- Summary of the litigation
- How to find plan that fits budget VIDEO
- what plan to take if you know you will have a BIG surgery or expense coming up VIDEO
- Maximum OOP Out of Pocket? VIDEO
- View our webpage on OOP Maximum Out of Pocket
- Understanding Health Care Costs Health Net VIDEO
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What are Covered California standard benefit designs?
- Health insurance plans must follow Covered California’s standard benefit designs.
- With standardized benefits, consumers can accurately compare health insurance plans, because the benefits are the same for all plans offered in the Covered California marketplace. Additionally, standardizing benefits ensures that the selected health insurance plans define what the consumers get and limit the consumer’s out-of-pocket costs by type of service.
- I agree it will stifle innovation, so do you want same o same o or to be able to get a plan that fits your needs. On the other hand isn’t it just a mathematical calculation to see what the actuarial value and essential benefits is?
§156.140 Metal Levels of coverage.
Code of Federal Regulations
- (b) The levels of coverage are:
- (1) A bronze health plan is a health plan that has an AV of 60 percent.
- (2) A silver health plan is a health plan that has an AV of 70 percent.
- (3) A gold health plan is a health plan that has an AV of 80 percent.
- (4) A platinum health plan is a health plan that has as an AV of 90 percent.
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https://calmatters.org/health/2026/02/covered-california-health-bronze-plan/
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/aca-trump-proposal-catastrophic-coverage-premiums-care-networks/
https://www.statnews.com/2026/01/23/hdhp-health-insurance-patients-emergency-high-deductible-postpone-care-doctors/
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Rick Sanders
I had quadruple bypass in 2014 had a covered California bronze plan it cost me 6200.00 I picked my doctor and hospital, Best system in the world by far