What are the Benefits of the Metallic Levels?

One of the main focuses of Health Care Reform is making it easier for consumers to compare plans as they shop for health insurance. Therefore, health insurance plans have been separated into metallic levels (bronze, silver, gold and platinum) to indicate the level of coverage and insurance benefits in each plan.

•BRONZE: Medical costs are covered at approximately 60%. Ideal for people who want lower monthly premiums and don’t expect to need a 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-pocket medical costs more balanced.

•GOLD: Medical costs are covered at approximately 80%. If you receive medical services regularly, and you’re okay with paying a higher monthly premium to have more of your health care costs covered, this level of plan is one to consider.

•PLATINUM: Medical costs are covered at approximately 90%. If you receive medical services frequently, and  you’re willing to pay more each month for the lowest health care costs, consider this plan level.

All health insurance plans must fall within these metallic levels in 2014, except for the catastrophic plans for people under 30 or that meet certain hardship requirements. Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC catastrophic plans, however, do meet bronze level requirements.

All plans have an out-of-pocket (OOP) limit of $6,350.1 This includes costs such as prescription drugs, copayments, etc. Your OOP limit does not include premiums or costs not covered by BCBSNC. Family plans have a higher OOP limit of $12,700. (You may, however, have a plan with a lower OOP limit.)

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). It would be our pleasure to help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of Obamacare. Call us for details.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 20th, 2014 at 9:30 am and is filed under BCBSNC Insurance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.