Private Policy

Meekins Insurance Service

Comparing plans made easier

Metallic Values

Health care reform makes it easier to compare health insurance plans. These metallic levels (bronze, silver, gold and platinum) have been established to indicate the value of coverage in a plan. This allows you to easily compare plans with different deductibles, copayments and coinsurance requirements and determine which plan works best for you.

But keep in mind that the metallic values don’t reflect some factors that may be important to you, such as:

  • The number of doctors and hospitals in the plan’s network
  • Requirements for receiving benefits, such as prior approval for certain medical services
  • The plan’s health and wellness programs
Bronze Medical costs are covered at approximately 60%. Ideal for people who want lower monthly premiums and don’t expect to needa lot of medical services.
Silver Medical costs are covered at approximately 70%. Ideal for those who want to keep their monthly premiums and out-of-pocketmedical costs more balanced.
Gold Medical costs are covered at approximately 80%. If you receive medical services regularly, and you’re okay with a higher monthlypremium to have more of your health care costs covered, consider this level.
Platinum Medical costs are covered at approximately 90%. If you receive medical services frequently, and you’re willing to pay more eachmonth for the lowest ongoing health care costs, consider this plan level.

All new health insurance plans offered in the individual market must fall within these metallic levels in 2014, except for catastrophic plans.
(BCBSNC catastrophic plans however do meet bronze level requirements.)

Catastrophic These plans may be a good value if you don’t expect to have many medical expenses. The BCBSNC catastrophicplan can save as much as 22% over the the least expensive bronze plan.* You must be under age 30 or qualify

based on a hardship exemption as defined by the federal government. For details, visit www.healthcare.gov.

 

*BCBSNC Internal Data, percentage savings based on a 21 year old non-smoker in Raleigh