Affordable Care Act
What Is a Bronze Health Plan?
Updated on October 21, 2022
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When it is time to choose a healthcare plan on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, you have a number of options that balance monthly premiums against potential out of pocket costs. These plans are broken into tiers and assigned a metallic level: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. An ACA Bronze plan is the lowest level plan and typically comes with the lowest monthly premiums. While it can be tempting to go straight for the plan that costs the least per month, there are a number of factors to consider when determining whether a bronze plan is the right choice for you.
What is a Bronze health plan?
Bronze health insurance is at the lowest metal level. A bronze plan may cost less in monthly premiums, but costs the most out of pocket if you end up needing health care.In 2020, the average premium amount for a Bronze plan was $393 for a single 40-year-old, while the average premium for a Silver plan was $512, according to an eHealth report. The average deductible for a 2020 Bronze plan was $6,419 and the annual deductible for a Silver plan was $4,292. It’s important to consider how much you anticipate using your health coverage when you are shopping for the right metal level for yourself and your family.
What does a Bronze health plan cover?
Like all ACA-compliant health plans, a Bronze plan includes a range of preventive care that does not require coinsurance or copays. Examples of free preventive care include:
- Yearly check-ups
- Certain diagnostic screenings such as blood pressure screenings and mammograms
- Diet counseling for individuals at risk for chronic disease
- Fall prevention for adults 65 and over
- Immunizations
- Some preventive medicines, such as aspirin or statins
Additionally, an ACA Bronze plan must also cover the 10 essential services identified under the ACA. These services may include coinsurance or copays but require insurance to cover at least a portion of the cost. They include:
- Prescription drug coverage
- Preventive, wellness, and chronic disease management
- Pediatric coverage including vision, dental, and medical care
- Emergency services such as ER visits, although they are likely to come with a large copay or coinsurance rate
- Hospitalization coverage once out-of-pocket maximums have been met
- Mental health and addiction treatment coverage
- Pregnancy and maternity care
- Ambulatory services, which refers to procedures performed on an outpatient basis
- Laboratory services
- Rehabilitative or habilitative services and devices, including speech or physical therapy
Your Bronze health insurance plan may include coverage for other services in addition to the essential coverages listed above. Check with plan details to learn more about what is offered with each individual Bronze plan.
How much will a Bronze health plan pay?
Each of the health plan metal levels pay a different percentage of the cost of medical care. On Healthcare.gov, they estimate the percentages as the following:
| Plan Category | The insurance company pays | Insured pays |
| Bronze | 60% | 40% |
| Silver | 70% | 30% |
| Gold | 80% | 20% |
| Platinum | 90% | 10% |
Can you get subsidies with a Bronze health plan?
When you get a Bronze health plan, you are eligible for premium subsidies, which are paid as a tax credit. However, you will not be eligible for other cost saving subsidies with a Bronze health plan, such as the cost-sharing subsidy. The lowest level of plan eligible for this subsidy is the Silver health plan.
Who should consider a Bronze health plan?
A Bronze health plan is a good fit for some individuals and a poor fit for others. The low monthly premium cost from a Bronze health plan can be a boon to younger individuals who do not anticipate using their health plan very much. The included preventive care can mean catching any potential health problems early, so people with Bronze health plans can still plan to stay healthy. The lower premium with a Bronze health plan also means more money in your pocket each month.
I you are at risk for chronic illnesses or if you are older, a Bronze health plan can wind up costing more in the end. A Bronze health plan typically has very high out of pocket costs before coverage for your healthcare expenses begins.If you expect to be consistently using your health plan, you may want something with a higher monthly premium, but lower amounts for your deductible, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximum.
Before buying a Bronze health plan or any other health plan, compare plans in your area at eHealth. At eHealth, we have licensed brokers in every state and a range of ACA plans from Bronze level up to Platinum. We will work with you to find the health plan that best fits your needs and budget.