With Obamacare Plans, Cost of ‘Silver’ Is Seen as Too Cheap

Some state Obamacare exchanges are raising the price on the most popular “silver” plans because they say the plans are too cheap based on the coverage they offer. Regulators say their actions will effectively reduce how much most consumers pay because the higher prices will trigger higher subsidies for those plans.

The Affordable Care Act allows for platinum plans that should cover 90% of claims, gold plans that cover 80%, silver plans that cover 70%, and bronze plans that cover 60%. Premiums are supposed to be priced according to coverage, with rarely available platinum plans the most expensive and bronze ...