Selecting a Health Care Plan
Choosing a health insurance plan can be complicated. Knowing just a few things before you compare plans can make it simpler.
1) There are 4 CATEGORIES of health insurance plans and they are named after metals: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These categories are based on how you and your plan split the costs of your health care. They have nothing to do with quality of care. Plans in all categories provide free preventive care, and some offer selected free or discounted services before you meet your deductible.
No matter which metal category you choose, you can save a lot of money on your monthly premium based on your income. When you fill out a Marketplace application, you’ll find out if you qualify for these savings. Another new law was passed, called the Inflation Reduction Act, to increase financial assistance. Last year in Delaware, nine out of ten people received financial assistance and paid less than $10 per month.
BRONZE
Plan Category
60%
How much the INSURANCE COMPANY Pays
40%
How Much YOU Pay
Lowest monthly premium
Highest costs when you need care
Highest deductibles (can be thousands of dollars)
Good choice if: You want a low-cost way to protect yourself from worst-case medical scenarios, like serious sickness or injury. Your monthly premium will be low, but you’ll have to pay for most routine care yourself.
SILVER
Plan Category
70%
How much the INSURANCE COMPANY Pays
30%
How Much YOU Pay
Moderate monthly premium
Moderate costs when you need care
Lower deductibles than Bronze plans
Good choice if: You qualify for “extra savings” or you’re willing to pay a slightly higher monthly premium than Bronze to have more of your routine care covered.
IMPORTANT: If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions you must pick a Silver plan to get the extra savings.
GOLD
Plan Category
80%
How much the INSURANCE COMPANY Pays
20%
How Much YOU Pay
High monthly premium
Low costs when you need care
Low deductibles
Good choice if: You’re willing to pay more each month to have more costs covered when you get medical treatment. If you use a lot of care, a Gold plan could be a good value.
PLATINUM
Plan Category
90%
How much the INSURANCE COMPANY Pays
10%
How Much YOU Pay
Highest monthly premium
Lowest costs when you get care
Very low deductibles
Good choice if: You usually use a lot of care and are willing to pay a high monthly premium, knowing nearly all other costs will be covered.
2) There are different TYPES of health insurance plans and each is designed to meet different needs. Some types restrict the providers you can see or where you can go to get care, while others pay a greater share of costs for providers outside the plan’s network:
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - usually limits coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. It generally won't cover out-of-network care except in an emergency.
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) - you pay less if you use providers in the plan’s network. You can use doctors, hospitals, and providers outside of the network without a referral for an additional cost.
- Point of Service (POS) - you pay less if you use doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that belong to the plan’s network. POS plans require you to get a referral from your primary care doctor in order to see a specialist.
- Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) - services are covered only if you use doctors, specialists, or hospitals in the plan’s network (except in an emergency).
3) Catastrophic health insurance plans are only available to people under the age of 30 or people of any age with a hardship exemption or affordability exemption (based on Marketplace or job-based insurance being unaffordable). If you are eligible for a Catastrophic plan, you will see them displayed when you compare plans in the Marketplace.
Catastrophic health insurance plans have low monthly premiums and very high deductibles. They may be an affordable way to protect yourself from serious health conditions or injuries, but you pay for most of the routine medical expenses yourself. Catastrophic plans cover essential health benefits, certain preventive services at no cost and at least 3 primary care visits per year without meeting the deductible; however, the insurance company will not pay for all covered services until you meet your deductible.
Delaware Marketplace Health Care Plans
MORE OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Delaware residents seeking coverage for 2023 will have more options than ever before. Thirty health care plans are being offered by 3 insurance carriers:
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will offer 17 plans (4 bronze, 3 silver, 6 gold, 3 platinum, 1 catastrophic)
- Aetna CVS Health will offer 9 plans (3 bronze, 4 silver, 2 gold)
- Amerihealth Caritas will offer 4 plans (2 bronze, 1 silver, 1 gold)
Thirteen stand-alone dental plans will also be offered by two dental insurance carriers (Delta Dental of Delaware, Inc. and Dominion Dental Services, Inc.). Quality Insights trained staff will help you review your options so you can select the plan that best meets your and/or your families’ needs.
Bronze
9 Plans to Choose From

Silver
8 Plans to Choose From

Gold
9 Plans to Choose From

Platinum
3 Plans to Choose From

It’s important to know if you are eligible for a premium tax credit or if your income qualifies for extra savings known as cost-sharing reductions. You will learn if you are eligible for either of these when you fill out a Marketplace application. The premium tax credit can lower your monthly health insurance premium bill and the cost-sharing reduction will save you money by paying less out of your pocket each time you get medical services.
Quality Insights Navigators are available NOW to walk you through the application and plan selection process so you can decide which plan best meets your needs. Call us at 1-844-238-1189 when you are ready to compare plans and prices or if you need help submitting a Marketplace application.