Replies

If you get seriously sick, the difference between bronze and silver will only be name on the cost. The total out of pocket caps and the premiums end up being pretty close between the two brackets. In most states total out of pocket is going to be about $22k for a family if more than one person gets really sick/injured, minus any subsidies. The chronically ill will be hitting these caps every year. Somebody that needs expensive meds (HIV) is probably slightly better off finding a plan that covers their drugs and expecting to hit the caps every year, regardless of primary coverage.

From what I can tell there are even some silver plans that don't cover primary care. People that haven't bought insurance before are going to get caught by this and be stuck in that policy until next year. The policies that do cover primary care cost $10-50 dollars more per month in premiums. All the attention has been on the nonfunctional website. The media have done a really poor job informing the public of these other serious pitfalls.

If you get seriously sick, the Bronze Plan may cost you everything

You could have a savings account to go along with it. Or set up a Tax Sheltered Annuity that allows withdrawals without penalties.