Deductibles by metal level, 2026
Average medical deductible and out-of-pocket max for individual marketplace plans, from CMS QHP Landscape files. HealthCare.gov states.
The deductible is what you pay before the plan pays anything. Lower is better. Bronze plans have the lowest monthly premium but the highest deductible: that tradeoff is the whole metal system. Silver matters most because subsidies and cost-sharing reductions attach to it.
Subsidy warning: the enhanced ACA subsidies expire at the end of 2025. These figures show how much plans themselves cost in 2026 vs 2025. For most shoppers the real out-of-pocket change is larger, because the tax credit that has been capping monthly bills is shrinking at the same time.
Frequently asked
What is a good deductible for health insurance?
Lower is better. The national averages by metal level are in the table above. Bronze deductibles are typically several thousand dollars; Gold and Platinum are far lower but cost more monthly.
What is the difference between a deductible and out-of-pocket max?
The deductible is what you pay before the plan shares costs. The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you can pay in a year for covered care including copays and coinsurance. Both are shown above.
Why does the metal level matter for subsidies?
Cost-sharing reductions that lower your deductible are only available on Silver plans, which is why Silver is the most consequential row in the state table.