Being equal, advantage to ACA plan or employer plan?

[Mr. Green]

Health insurance through my employer is going up quite a bit for me this year, to the point where it made sense for me to look at alternatives. After looking at the Maryland state exchange, I find I can get a plan through the ACA for $148 a month. My employer's plan, which is basically the same, is $222 a month. Our tax bite is 40%, which makes the after-tax option about the same cost as the employer plan. All things being roughly equal, are there advantages to going one way or the other that I don't know of?

Deductible is the same, $6,000 max out of pocket vs. $6,350, 20% coinsurance after deductible vs. 30%, both HSA plans. Odds are I won't use it though. I think I saw a doctor once last year for a sinus problem.

[terran]

Are you sure about the cost of the marketplace plan? There are some restrictions on the subsidies when you have an employer plan available: https://www.healthcare.gov/have-job-based-coverage/change-to-marketplace-plan/

[Mr. Green]

Are you sure about the cost of the marketplace plan? There are some restrictions on the subsidies when you have an employer plan available: https://www.healthcare.gov/have-job-based-coverage/change-to-marketplace-plan/

I get no subsidies due to income.

[Mother Fussbudget]

Mr. Green, you're exactly right.  If your employer's HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan) is more expensive than a similar state sponsored plan, you'd be better off with the state plan. 

I work with a guy who used our company plan to cover himself, and the state plan to cover his wife and kids for exactly this reason.  Let us know how it works out for YOU.

[sol]

If they're truly identical plans, I would think the ACA plan is superior just because it's portable.  You don't lose it if you lose your job.