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All health plans offered on a state exchange must provide comprehensive coverage that includes doctors’ visits, lab work, hospital stays, emergency room services, maternity care, prescriptions, mental health services and children’s dental and vision care.

Policies with the most generous benefits will be “platinum” plans; they will have the highest monthly premiums but fewer out-of-pocket costs and lower deductibles. The “gold” and “silver” plans will be somewhat less generous, while those in the “bronze” category will have the cheapest premiums but may require high out-of-pocket costs and deductibles.

Be aware that the plans may have narrow provider networks — your favorite doctor or the hospital down the street may not be a participant. You’ll need to check to see if a certain provider is in the network, advised Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reform.

Premium prices are influenced by many factors, including what insurers guess their costs will be, a region’s labor costs and how much hospitals and other facilities charge. Competition between insurers is also a significant factor.

While some of the lowest cost plans are in the “bronze” tier of coverage, such plans generally have higher annual deductibles and co-payments than a silver plan.  Also, the silver plans reduce some costs for subsidy-eligible consumers, which could reduce their exposure to big bills if they fell seriously ill.

“Although premiums are generally the first and last thing discussed when comparing plans, out-of-pocket costs may be an equally or even more important consideration, particularly for those with significant health care needs.”

Starting in October, consumers shopping on the new exchange will be able to choose from bronze, silver, gold, platinum and catastrophic plans that offer a range of premiums, deductibles and co-pays depending on variables such as how many doctors you want included in your network.That's why Smithberger says it's important that consumers look at more than the bottom line when choosing plans. It may be the lowest priced plan, but it may have a very high deductible or only offer a limited number of doctors.