Best Cheap Medicare Plans in California
Find Cheap Medicare Plans in Your Area
Humana, Aetna and SCAN sell the best cheap Medicare Advantage plans in California.
Medicare Advantage plans in California cost an average of $17 per month. The best cheap plans strike a balance between low rates and good coverage. Kaiser Permanente and Sharp Health have some of the best Medicare plans in California, but the rates are higher than the state's average, so they aren't the best choice for budget shoppers.
How we chose these Medicare plans: We picked companies that offer plans with high-quality coverage at or below the average price in California. Recommendations are based on Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage. Factors compared are average costs, Medicare star ratings and availability. Other plan features such as deductibles and added perks were also considered.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans in California
Humana has California Medicare Advantage plans that are affordable and offer high-quality coverage.
Aetna is a good option for $0-per-month plans, and SCAN is the best option for shoppers who want low-cost medical care. Kaiser Permanente and Sharp Health Plan have plans with the highest possible rating, 5 stars, but their average rates are higher than the state average.
Nearly everyone in California — 99% of the Medicare-eligible population — has access to a plan with no monthly cost. It can be a good choice to get a plan that costs $0 per month, but be sure to review more than just a company's average cost. Analyzing Medicare star ratings, plan features and customer satisfaction can help you find the right option.
Company | Avg. monthly cost | % of CA Medicare population who can enroll | CMS star rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthem Blue Cross Partnership Plan | $0 | 33% | Not yet rated |
| Astiva Health | $0 | 17% | Not yet rated |
| Clever Care Health Plan | $0 | 51% | Not yet rated |
| Imperial Health Plan of California | $0 | 99% | |
| Molina Healthcare of California | $0 | 44% | |
Cost is based on the state average for each plan. Star ratings represent the California average for each company. Some companies are not yet rated.
Find Cheap Medicare Plans in Your Area
Humana: Overall best Medicare Advantage plans in California
Humana's Medicare Advantage plans have good service ratings and offer helpful perks.
Humana sells 22 Medicare Advantage plans in California, although availability varies by county. The average cost of a plan is $17 per month, but 16 of Humana's plans have no monthly rate, making the company a good option for budget shoppers. Humana also offers extra perks like SilverSneakers and an over-the-counter product allowance on many of its plans.
Humana
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CMS rating:
- Average cost: $17/month
- Available to 72% of CA Medicare enrollees and in 25 of 58 counties
Humana Gold Plus plans are some of the company's most popular, and they are widely available in California. Most of the plans cost $0 per month. Humana's Gold Plus options vary by county, and the coverage varies depending on the plan itself. For example, in Los Angeles County, there are three Gold Plus options that each have different benefits. While all three plans have no monthly rate and no health or drug deductibles, the cost for drug coverage, the out-of-pocket maximum levels and the extra perks vary. Gold Plus plans use HMO networks, which means you have to stay within a network of approved health care providers to be covered.
Humana offers different Gold Plus options in different counties, and each plan has different benefits. For example, only two of the three Gold Plus plans available in Los Angeles County include transportation coverage, and only one covers routine chiropractic visits. The copayment fees for doctor visits also vary.
HumanaChoice is a good option if you're looking for Medicare Advantage PPO plans in California. PPO plans give you more flexibility when choosing where to get your health care, but they are more expensive than HMO options. HumanaChoice is available in seven counties, including San Francisco and a few counties along the state's eastern border. The plans differ by location, so it's important to review your options. For example, the HumanaChoice plan available in San Francisco County has a $550 health deductible, but the version in Mariposa County doesn't have a health deductible.
Aetna: Best $0 Medicare Advantage plans in California
More than 75% of Aetna's Medicare Advantage plans in California have no monthly premium.
Aetna's average rate for California Medicare Advantage plans is $15 per month, but 25 of its 33 plans have no monthly cost. Aetna also has a relatively high Medicare star rating, which means its plans offer good service and coverage. Aetna is a good choice for shoppers looking for cheap rates and good coverage. Only the Aetna HMO plans have a $0 monthly premium. The company has two PPO options, which cost an average of $10 and $88 per month, respectively.
Aetna
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CMS rating:
- Average cost: $15/month
- Available to 85% of CA Medicare enrollees and in 25 of 58 counties
Aetna Medicare Select plans are good if you want to keep your monthly health insurance rate and your medical costs low. These plans have no monthly rate, no health or drug deductibles, no copay fees for primary care doctor visits and low copays for specialists. They are HMO plans, so you'll have to have a primary care doctor, get referrals to see specialists and stay within the plan's network.
The out-of-pocket maximum, which is the most you'll pay for your medical care in a year, varies by county on Aetna Medicare Select plans. The highest out-of-pocket maximum for a Select plan is $5,000, in Sacramento and Yolo counties. The Select plans in Los Angeles and Orange counties have the lowest out-of-pocket maximum at $2,000.
Consider an Aetna Medicare Elite Plan if you want a cheap plan that gives you more flexibility when getting medical care. These PPO plans cost an average of $10 per month, but 25% of California's Medicare-eligible population can access a no-cost Elite plan. With a PPO, you don't have to stay in the network to have coverage, although you may pay more for your medical care if you use a nonpreferred doctor. The plans have a $5,500 in-network out-of-pocket maximum, although you'll pay up to $8,950 out of pocket if you use both in-network and out-of-network health care providers.
SCAN: Best Medicare Advantage plans in California for low-cost medical care
Senior Care Action Network (SCAN) sells plans with low out-of-pocket maximums, which means you could pay less for your medical care.
If you want more coverage on your Medicare Advantage plan, SCAN is a good option. Many of the company's plans offer out-of-pocket maximums of less than $1,000, which is low compared to other companies. SCAN only sells HMO plans, though. If the restriction of a provider network bothers you, SCAN isn't the right choice.
The SCAN Classic plan helps keep your medical costs down while providing useful coverage benefits. The plan costs an average of $14 per month, but in several counties it has no monthly cost. The plan benefits vary by county, but most versions include no-cost or low-cost doctor visits, specialist visits and diagnostic tests. You also get coverage for dental exams and routine cleanings, eyeglasses and wellness programs.
SCAN also offers California's only Fully Integrated Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan. You must be eligible for Medicare and receive full Medi-Cal benefits to enroll. But if you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, SCAN could be a good choice for a Dual-Eligible SNP.
The SCAN Affirm partnered with Included LGBTQ+ Health plan is a good option for LGBTQ+ adults. SCAN partnered with Included Health in 2022 to create the plan, which has no monthly rate, no health or drug deductibles, and a $499 out-of-pocket maximum. You'll also pay just 25% of the cost for specialty drugs, including gender-affirming hormone treatments. Included Health also offers members access to peer groups, as well as community and advocacy resources. SCAN Affirm is currently only available in Los Angeles and Riverside counties.
Top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in California
Sharp Health Plan and Kaiser Permanente have the highest-rated Medicare Advantage plans in California, but the average rates aren't cheap.
San Diegan shoppers looking for a no-cost plan with well-rated customer service should consider the Sharp Direct Advantage VIP plan. The plan has no monthly cost and no deductible. The plan includes dental, vision and hearing benefits, as well as worldwide emergency and routine chiropractic coverage. But because it's an HMO, you are restricted to in-network health care providers. The Sharp Direct Advantage VIP plan doesn't offer coverage for transportation, home or bathroom safety devices, or in-home support services.
Sharp Health Plan sells three 5-star Medicare Advantage plans in California, but coverage is only available in San Diego. The average cost of a Sharp Health Plan policy is $19 per month, although two no-cost plans are available.
Kaiser Permanente
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CMS rating:
- Average cost: $27/month
- Available to 91% of CA Medicare enrollees and in 31 of 58 counties
If you're willing to pay a monthly cost for your Medicare Advantage plan, the Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced plans offer robust coverage. The plans cover prescriptions right away since they have a $0 drug deductible. There's also no copay for primary care or urgent care visits. Plan benefits vary by county, though, so be sure to review what's available in your county to know if it's right for your needs. The average cost of an Enhanced plan varies based on where you live, ranging from $29 per month in Kern County to $70 per month in Solano, Contra Costa and San Mateo counties.
Kaiser Permanente is one of the most widely available Medicare Advantage companies in California. It's only available in 31 of the state's 58 counties, but those counties are home to 91% of the Medicare-eligible population in California.
Find Cheap Medicare Plans in Your Area
Medicare Advantage availability in California
The availability of Medicare Advantage plans has a big impact on your coverage options, including which insurance companies you can choose from and how much a plan costs. Urban areas will usually have more Medicare Advantage plans available than rural areas. The number of plans you can buy varies widely between counties, ranging from no plans in Trinity County to 60 or more plans in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
If you live in the parts of California where Medicare Advantage plans are expensive or unavailable, we recommend that you get coverage through Original Medicare and then add on a Medicare supplement to reduce medical costs and a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage.
Number of California Medicare Advantage plans by county
Number of Medicare Advantage plans by county in California
California county | Number of Medicare Advantage plans |
|---|---|
| Alameda | 31 |
| Alpine | 2 |
| Amador | 15 |
| Butte | 4 |
| Calaveras | 2 |
California Medicare enrollment statistics
Medicare-eligible residents in California: 6,727,285
Medicare Advantage enrollees in California: 3,353,189
Number of Medicare Advantage companies in California: 24
Average monthly cost of Medicare Advantage in California: $17
Frequently asked questions
Who has the best Medicare Advantage plans in California?
Humana, Aetna and SCAN offer the best cheap Medicare Advantage plans in California. These companies have high-quality plans at affordable prices. Kaiser Permanente and Sharp Health Plan have the highest-rated Medicare Advantage plans in California, but their average rates are above the state average.
How much is Medicare Advantage in California?
A Medicare Advantage plan in California costs an average of $17 per month, but rates range from $0 to $269 per month. In general, a basic, low-cost plan is a good choice for enrollees with typical or moderate health care needs. Those with ongoing health issues or who expect to need expensive health care procedures will usually get a better deal by paying more for a plan with better benefits.
Is Covered California a Medicare plan?
No. Covered California is where those who aren't eligible for Medicare can buy a health insurance policy. It's the state marketplace for health insurance. To learn which Medicare plans are offered in your California county, start your search with the Medicare Plan Finder.
Methodology and sources
Medicare plan and enrollment data is from the public use files provided by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Our analysis of Medicare Advantage plans in California includes only plans that have prescription drug coverage. Rates exclude employer group plans, Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs), Medical Savings Account (MSA) plans, PACE plans, prepayment plans (HCPPs), sanctioned plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs).
Comparisons were made using cost data, CMS star ratings and availability. We also analyzed plan features and coverage benefits. Other sources include Humana, Aetna, SCAN, Sharp Health Plan and Kaiser Permanente.
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