PHILADELPHIA – This year, purchasing a health care plan at HealthCare.gov could be much more affordable than ever before for Philadelphians. Some people will be able to find gold and silver plans with zero dollar premiums, while bronze level plans with zero dollar premiums will be common across the city.

How affordable? This year, Philadelphia has the lowest premiums overall after financial assistance––bronze or silver health plans for $0 premiums are widely available to many individuals and couples. But some couples may even find gold plans with zero dollar premiums. Silver plans typically offer low deductibles and out-of-pocket costs to people qualifying for financial help. Gold plans offer even lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.

“Most people will be able to find health coverage this year that is cheaper than ever before because of the increase in financial help,” said Josh Peck, co-founder of Get America Covered. “In Philadelphia, you can even find a high quality silver or gold plan with premiums that are zero dollars each month and a low deductible. That’s why it is so important for people to visit HealthCare.gov and check out their options. Many will be surprised at just how affordable purchasing health insurance is this year.”

Because financial help has increased significantly this year and 85% of people in Philadelphia qualify for this assistance to make premiums more affordable, most people could pay much less for their monthly premiums. How affordable coverage is depends on the individual or family’s unique situation.

The savings could be huge. In Philadelphia, a family of four could save $265 each month on premiums or $3,180 next year compared to last year for a silver plan, and a couple could save $485 each month or $5,800 next year on their health insurance premiums for a silver plan.

Here’s a snapshot of what Philadelphians might be able to find depending on their age, income and family size:

Source: Center for American Progress, November 1, 2017

As Avalere Health, Kaiser Family Foundation and the Center for American Progress have all found – plans are cheaper this year than ever before so it pays to shop. Here’s a snapshot of each of their findings:

• Avalere Health found that a 50 year old making about $18,000 a year or a family of four earning about $37,000 can find a zero dollar premium bronze plan in nearly 98% of counties in states that use HealthCare.gov.

• Kaiser Family Foundation found that those people who receive financial help will often pay less for coverage in 2018. In fact, in nearly 60 percent of the counties who use HealthCare.gov, a 40 year old making $25,000 wouldn’t pay any monthly premium for a bronze plan.

• Center for American Progress analysis found that a family of four with an income around $60,000 can get covered for less than $10 in 66 percent of counties.

Remember, there’s not much time for people to shop for affordable coverage this year at HealthCare.gov – people must sign up by the December 15 deadline if they want to have coverage in 2018 or risk paying a penalty of $695 or more.