Side-by-side plan matrix
Health insurance plans comparison chart
A fillable framework for comparing up to three live plans with the same fields and evidence.
This chart is a framework, not a catalog of every plan. Fill it with the live plans shown for your address and the figures in each current plan document. Keep blanks as “not verified” instead of guessing.
| Comparison field | Plan A | Plan B | Plan C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan identity Full name, plan ID, year, service area | Record exact value | Record exact value | Record exact value |
| Net monthly premium Household amount shown for the same application facts | Record exact value | Record exact value | Record exact value |
| Medical and drug deductibles Individual/family; embedded or aggregate | Record exact value | Record exact value | Record exact value |
| Primary and specialist care Copay or coinsurance; before or after deductible | Record exact value | Record exact value | Record exact value |
| Hospital and emergency care Facility and professional components | Record exact value | Record exact value | Record exact value |
| In-network out-of-pocket limit Individual and family; exclusions from the limit | Record exact value | Record exact value | Record exact value |
| Provider network Doctors, hospitals, labs, referral and travel rules | Record exact value | Record exact value | Record exact value |
| Prescription coverage Drug, dose, tier, pharmacy and restrictions | Record exact value | Record exact value | Record exact value |
| Official quality rating Displayed rating or “not rated” | Record exact value | Record exact value | Record exact value |
| Evidence saved SBC, directory, formulary and date checked | Record exact value | Record exact value | Record exact value |
How to use the chart
Complete it without creating false precision
- Use one enrollment route. Compare plans from the same official result set unless you clearly label a different market, such as an employer plan.
- Match the plan year. A renewal document from one year cannot safely fill a row for another.
- Mark unknowns. “Not verified” is more useful than an assumed network or drug answer.
- Test practical access. Confirm important providers and prescriptions after the paper comparison.
- Save the record. Print the chart with source URLs and the date checked.
Ready-reference chart
Compare common network patterns first
Use this table to narrow questions, then verify the exact plan.
| Type | Primary-care pattern | Non-emergency out-of-network care | Best next check |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMO | Often coordinated through a selected primary-care clinician | Usually limited | Referral and local-network depth |
| PPO | Often less primary-care coordination | Often available with separate cost exposure | Outside-network deductible, coinsurance, and balance billing |
| EPO | Often no referral requirement within the network | Usually limited | Network sufficiency where care is used |
| POS | Often combines primary-care coordination with another pathway | May be available under plan rules | Referral records and outside-network terms |
| HDHP | A cost design that can use different network types | Depends on the underlying network | Deductible, HSA eligibility, and service-level cost sharing |
Metal categories
Compare cost sharing separately from network type
A metal category does not establish network size or care quality.
| Category | Common starting tradeoff | Verification priority |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Often lower premium with higher member cost sharing | Services before deductible and protection boundary |
| Silver | Middle cost-sharing category | Official cost-sharing reduction eligibility |
| Gold | Often higher premium with lower member cost sharing | Recurring care and total yearly cost |
| Platinum | Often highest premium with lower member cost sharing where available | Availability and total cost |
| Catastrophic | Restricted eligibility and high cost exposure before many benefits | Eligibility, deductible, and product fit |
About “all plans”
Start with live plans for the address
No static national chart can list every live U.S. plan accurately. Use the official result set for the actual address and household, then copy the exact plan names, IDs, networks, and documents into the worksheet.
The chart is most useful after the result set is narrowed to plans from the same coverage market and year.
Verification links