What Are the Best Medicare Supplement Plans in California?
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AARP/UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is a top option in California for most Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy options. It offers affordable plans and has a good customer service reputation.
However, if you're looking for the cheapest rates, we recommend Plan N from Cigna.
When shopping for a Medicare Supplement policy in California, it's important to choose a plan with coverage that fits your unique needs and a company with a strong record for customer service.
What's the best Medicare Supplement company in California?
AARP/UnitedHealthcare is the best overall Medigap provider in California because of its inexpensive rates and high levels of customer satisfaction.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare charges 17% less than the state average for Medigap Plan G policies, making it one of the most affordable major Medicare Supplement providers in California.
Although some companies offer cheaper policies, none provide the same level of customer service as AARP/UnitedHealthcare. It has the lowest level of customer complaints out of any California Medigap carrier.
Top Medicare Supplement companies in California
Company | Plan G monthly rates |
Customer satisfaction (out of 5)
|
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $121 | 4.0 |
| Cigna | $143 | 2.5 |
| Anthem | $144 | 3.0 |
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | $133 | 4.5 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $146 | 4.0 |
| Health Net | $160 | 1.0 |
| Humana | $188 | 1.0 |
| Aetna | $200 | 1.0 |
All rates are for a 65-year-old female nonsmoker.
Plan G is the most popular Medicare Supplement policy for new enrollees because it offers the most comprehensive coverage. Although Plan F is the most popular Medigap policy in California, it's only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020.
You have to buy an AARP membership before you can purchase a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement policy. However, one year's membership costs just $16, and you can sign up for AARP while you're buying a Medicare Supplement policy.
AARP members get access to dozens of discounts including reduced-price dental, hearing and vision insurance.
If AARP/UnitedHealthcare doesn't operate in your area, consider going with Mutual of Omaha. It has similar rates and only slightly lower customer satisfaction than AARP/UnitedHealthcare.
USAA also has affordable rates and a strong reputation for customer service, but it's only open to current and former members of the military and their immediate family members.
Best overall: AARP/UnitedHealthcare
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Editor rating
Average cost of AARP/UHC Medigap in California:
- Plan K: $51
- Plan L: $93
- Plan A: $100
- Plan N: $112
- Plan B: $140
- Plan G: $133
- Plan C: $169
- Plan F: $170
AARP/UnitedHealthcare (UHC) has low rates across the board. Its Plan G is only $133 per month, $27 per month cheaper than the California state average of $160. Its seven other plan offerings also come in comfortably cheaper than average.
You must sign up for AARP before you purchase a Medigap policy through UHC. AARP membership costs just $16 a year and gives you access to a wide range of perks including discounted dental insurance, car rentals, travel and more.
The company's Medicare Supplement division stands out for its exceptionally low level of customer complaints. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), an industry group, UHC receives 62% fewer complaints than an average company its size.
That may be a part of the company's dominance in the California Medigap market. AARP/UnitedHealthcare is the largest Medicare Supplement provider in California, selling 66% of all Medigap policies in the state. The next largest provider, Health Net, sells just 7.5% of policies.
Best for current or former military: USAA
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Editor rating
Average cost of USAA Medigap in California:
- Plan K: $51
- Plan L: $93
- Plan A: $100
- Plan N: $112
- Plan B: $140
- Plan G: $133
- Plan C: $169
- Plan F: $170
USAA offers some of the most affordable Medigap rates in California, including the cheapest Plan G. However, you must be a former or current member of the military (or an immediate family member of one) to buy a USAA policy.
USAA receives 30% fewer complaints compared to the average Medigap provider when adjusted for company size. That makes it one of the best Medicare Supplement providers in California for customer satisfaction.
As a USAA member, you receive automatic access to a number of discounts and perks, such as reduced-price vacation packages, gym memberships, home security and more.
Choosing an insurance company with a low level of complaints means you're more likely to get your claim paid out in a timely and efficient manner.
USAA only sells Plans A, F, G and N. However, these four plans make up roughly 90% of all policies sold in California. Plans F, G and N are popular because all three offer high levels of coverage.
Cheapest Plan N: Cigna
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Editor rating
Average cost of Cigna Medigap in California:
- High-deductible Plan F: $44
- Plan N: $104
- Plan A: $133
- Plan G: $143
- Plan F: $176
Cigna sells the cheapest Plan N policies in California, with an average price of just $104 a month. This is 21% cheaper than the state average of $131, and $8 a month cheaper than the same policy from AARP/UnitedHealthcare.
Medigap Plan N covers most of the same services as Plan G. However, you have to pay $20 for some doctor's visits and up to $50 for visits to the emergency room. Plan N also doesn't cover Medicare Part B excess charges. However, it's important to keep in mind that only 2% of doctors nationwide are authorized to make excess charges.
Cigna also offers a high-deductible Plan F, which can save you $60 a month in premium costs compared to Plan N. However, you have to pay a $2,700 deductible before your policy kicks in. You should consider a high-deductible Plan F policy if you would like to pay a lower monthly premium and you can afford potentially large out-of-pocket costs.
Although Cigna doesn't offer quite as many perks as USAA or AARP, all Medigap policyholders receive access to a 24/7 nurse health information hotline. You may also qualify for discounts related to various wellness-related products, services and subscriptions, such as fitness and nutritional programs.
Cigna receives 27% more complaints about Medicare Supplement plans compared to a similar-sized company.
If you value customer satisfaction, you should consider a Medigap provider like AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha or USAA. However, if you're fine with sacrificing some level of service in exchange for lower prices, you should strongly consider Cigna for a Plan N policy.
How much does a Medigap plan cost in California?
Medicare Supplement plans in California cost between $56 and $202 a month.
Find Cheap Medicare Plans in Your Area
California Medigap plans
Medigap plan | Monthly cost | Popularity in California (enrollment) |
|---|---|---|
| Plan F | $199 | 59% |
| Plan G | $160 | 19% |
| Plan N | $131 | 11% |
| Plan J | N/A | 6% |
Rates are based on a 65-year-old female nonsmoker in California.
Plan C is the most expensive Medigap policy in California, with an average price of $202 a month. However, it doesn't provide the best coverage levels. That distinction belongs to Plan F. In California, a 65-year-old woman who doesn't smoke can expect to pay $199 a month for Plan F.
By contrast, a Medicare Supplement Plan G policy costs just $160 a month, making it 20% cheaper than Plan F. Since the only difference between Plan F and Plan G is that Plan F covers the $226 Medicare Part B annual deductible, Plan G is a better deal.
Plan G provides the best value among Medigap plans in California.
Plan F is only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020, meaning most 65-year-olds are not eligible for Plan F.
For 75-year-olds in California, a Plan G policy is $600 per year cheaper than Plan F, while for those aged 85, the gap grows to $672 per year.
Despite being more expensive, Plan F is far and away the most popular Medigap plan in California with 59% of the total market. Plan G is a distant second at 19%.
Plan N is the third most popular Medigap plan in California. It provides similar levels of coverage compared to Plan G, although you are responsible for copays of up to $20 for visits to the doctor and up to $50 for visits to the emergency room. You are also responsible for excess charges. If you're relatively healthy and don't have chronic medical conditions, you should consider Plan N since it's 18% cheaper than Plan G.
Roughly 6% of Medicare Supplement holders in California have Plan J. However, new enrollees can no longer get a Plan J policy.
How does age impact Medigap prices in California?
Most Medicare Supplement policies in California get more expensive as you age. Typically, your Medigap policy will be cheaper when you're 65, and you can expect the price to rise after each annual renewal.
Some companies only take your age into account when you buy the policy. Although you may see annual price increases to keep up with inflation, your policy won't jump in price just because you're getting older.
Less commonly, some companies in California require all policyholders to pay the same price per plan regardless of their age.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best Medicare Supplement plan in California?
Plan G is the best Medicare Supplement plan in California because it gives you the best value when weighing price against coverage. If you're in relatively good health, you should also consider Plan N, which offers slightly less coverage at an even more affordable price.
How are California Medigap plans priced?
Most California Medigap providers take your age, tobacco use and gender into consideration when calculating rates. Plans are typically the cheapest right when you sign up, and they grow more expensive as you get older.
Can you change Medigap plans in California?
Yes, you can change Medigap plans in California every year during open enrollment, which runs between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. If you've recently undergone a major life change, such as a move or becoming ineligible for Medicaid, you may qualify for a special enrollment period.
Sources and methodology
ValuePenguin used actuarial data supplied by California Medigap providers to compile average rates for a 65-year-old woman who doesn't smoke. Only companies with a market share above 1.5% for the state of California were included in the analysis.
Total enrollment numbers by Medicare Supplement plan for California are from America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). Customer complaint numbers are from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for the creation of our recommendations.
ValuePenguin used NAIC complaint data to score Medigap providers on a five-point scale with a score of one signaling a high number of complaints.
Satisfaction score | Customer complaints adjusted for company size |
|---|---|
| 5.0 (top rating) | Over 75% fewer complaints than typical |
| 4.5 | 50% to 75% fewer complaints than typical |
| 4.0 | 25% to 50% fewer complaints than typical |
| 3.5 | 0% to 25% fewer complaints than typical |
| 3.0 | An average rate of complaints |
| 2.5 | 0% to 50% more complaints than typical |
| 2.0 | 50% to 100% more complaints than typical |
| 1.5 | 100% to 250% more complaints than typical |
| 1.0 | Over 250% more complaints than typical |
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