When the plan list loads, the monthly premium is the biggest number on the screen, so it is the easiest thing to sort by. It is also only one piece of what you will actually pay. This guide walks through the comparison in a sensible order, using the steps HealthCare.gov recommends.
- Nov 1, 2026: Open Enrollment begins.
- Dec 15, 2026: Deadline to enroll or change plans for coverage that starts Jan 1, 2027.
- Jan 15, 2027: Open Enrollment ends. Coverage for sign-ups from Dec 16 through Jan 15 starts Feb 1.
Watch: How to compare ACA plans in under 90 seconds
Video transcript
Step 1: Estimate your total yearly cost
HealthCare.gov advises comparing estimated total yearly costs, not just premiums. Multiply each plan's monthly premium by 12, then add what you expect to pay for care. Three terms matter:
- Deductible: what you pay before the plan starts sharing costs for most services.
- Copays and coinsurance: your share of costs after the deductible.
- Out-of-pocket maximum: the most you pay for covered, in-network services in a year. After that, the plan pays 100% of covered services.
If you rarely see a doctor, a higher deductible may be fine. If you take regular medication or expect a procedure, a plan with a lower deductible can cost less overall even with a higher premium. Our deductible vs. out-of-pocket maximum guide has a worked example.
Step 2: Check your doctors, hospitals and drugs
A plan is only useful if the providers you use are in its network. HealthCare.gov explains that plan type affects this: an HMO generally will not cover out-of-network care except in an emergency, while a PPO lets you go outside the network for an additional cost. Our HMO vs. PPO vs. EPO guide covers the differences.
Check each plan's drug list, called a formulary, too. HealthCare.gov notes that plans place drugs in tiers with different cost sharing, and that pharmacy networks can differ. Search by your exact medications and your pharmacy.
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Get my plan comparisonStep 3: Understand the metal levels
Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum describe how costs are split, not the quality of care, per HealthCare.gov. Roughly, the plan pays about 60% of costs for Bronze, 70% for Silver, 80% for Gold and 90% for Platinum. Lower tiers tend to have lower premiums and higher costs when you get care. See Bronze vs. Silver vs. Gold for more.
Step 4: Check for savings you may qualify for
- Premium tax credits can lower your monthly premium on any metal level if you qualify.
- Cost-sharing reductions lower your deductible, copays and coinsurance, but only on Silver plans. If you may qualify, compare Silver plans first.
Eligibility depends on your income and household, and it is worth confirming how your estimated income is entered. Our guide on keeping your subsidy if your income changes covers what happens mid-year.
Step 5: If you are already enrolled, do not skip renewal
If your plan renews automatically, HealthCare.gov notes you can still pick a different plan by December 15 for a January 1 start, and change until January 15. Premiums, networks and drug lists can change from year to year, so review before accepting the default.
A quick comparison checklist
- Premium × 12 plus expected deductible, copays and coinsurance.
- Out-of-pocket maximum you could realistically reach.
- Each doctor, hospital and pharmacy you use, confirmed in network.
- Each prescription, confirmed on the drug list at an acceptable tier.
- Metal level and any Silver-plan savings.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sorting only by premium. The cheapest plan on the list can have the highest deductible.
- Assuming last year's network still applies. Doctors and hospitals join and leave networks. Recheck every year.
- Forgetting the pharmacy. A covered drug can still cost more at an out-of-network pharmacy.
- Ignoring the out-of-pocket maximum. It is the number that tells you the worst case for a bad year.
Availability and rules vary by state
Most states use HealthCare.gov, but some run their own marketplace with their own dates and websites. Check HealthCare.gov's state list to see which applies to you. Plans, prices and carriers vary by state and county, so fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146 for what is available at your address.
Each state’s insurance regulator can verify an agent’s license and answer consumer questions:
Health plans, premiums, enrollment rules and state programs differ by state and sometimes by county, and a given plan may not be available in every state. Honorbrook is licensed in the 11 states below; what we can offer you depends on what carriers sell where you live. Each state’s insurance regulator can verify an agent’s license and answer consumer questions.
- Virginia: Virginia Bureau of Insurance
- Maryland: Maryland Insurance Administration
- North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Insurance
- South Carolina: South Carolina Department of Insurance
- Georgia: Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
- Alabama: Alabama Department of Insurance
- Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Insurance
- Texas: Texas Department of Insurance
- Michigan: Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services
- Indiana: Indiana Department of Insurance
- West Virginia: West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner
How Honorbrook helps
We are an independent agency. We can compare the marketplace and off-marketplace options we offer and explain the tradeoffs in plain English. We do not offer every plan in every area, so HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace is the place to see all options.
This article is general information, not insurance, tax or legal advice. Plan details, prices and eligibility vary, and a licensed agent can confirm what applies to you.