With ACA plans, there are four metal tiers, which include bronze, silver, gold, and
platinum. Catastrophic plans were recently introduced but only provide coverage in the event of an emergency. The difference between these tiers is the cost sharing between the insurance company and the policyholder.

• Bronze plans typically have the lowest monthly premiums but the highest out-of-pocket expenses. These plans typically have a 60/40 cost-sharing split, meaning the insurance company pays 60% of the cost and the policyholder pays 40%. These plans have high deductibles, and co-pays but the monthly payment is the lowest out of all plans.
• Silver plans (70/30) have slightly higher monthly premiums than bronze plans but offer lower out-of-pocket costs. These plans typically have a 70/30 cost-sharing split. If you qualify for a cost sharing reduction (CSR) based on your income, silver plans can jump to a 94/87% cost-sharing split
• Gold plans (80/20) have higher monthly premiums than silver plans but offer even lower out-of-pocket costs. These plans typically have an 80/20 cost-sharing split.
• Platinum plans (90/10) have the highest monthly premiums but offer the lowest out-of-pocket costs. These plans typically have a 90/10 cost-sharing split. These plans have the highest monthly premiums out of all the plans, with the lowest co-pays and deductibles

It's important to note that the metal tiers are based on the actuarial value of the plan, which is the percentage of healthcare costs that the plan covers. For example, a silver plan has an actuarial value of 70%, which means that the plan covers 70% of healthcare costs on average and the policyholder is responsible for the remaining 30%. When choosing an ACA plan, it's important to consider your healthcare needs and budget to determine which metal tier is the best fit for you.