L.A. Care Health Plan provides the cheapest health insurance policies in California with an average monthly premium of $490. L.A. Care Health Plan is the most affordable option overall in the state, though availability varies by county. We also recommend Molina Healthcare, SHARP Health Plan, Indian Empire Health Plan and Kaiser Permanente for some of the most affordable health plans in the state.
Cheapest Health Insurance in California: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: December 8, 2025
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Key Takeaways
L.A. Care Health Plan is the most affordable health insurance provider in California, with an average monthly premium of $490.
L.A. Care Health Plan has the cheapest health insurance for teens, young adults, adults, seniors and HMO plans in California, while Health Net has the lowest PPO rates and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has the most affordable EPO coverage.
To find the cheapest health insurance for you, decide on a coverage level within your budget, check subsidy eligibility and compare at least three companies. Taking 30 minutes during Open Enrollment can save you hundreds annually.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in California
L.A. Care Health Plan | $490 | $304 | $5,880 | $3,648 |
Molina Healthcare | $616 | $178 | $7,392 | $2,136 |
SHARP Health Plan | $657 | $137 | $7,884 | $1,644 |
Indian Empire Health Plan | $666 | $128 | $7,992 | $1,536 |
Kaiser Permanente | $694 | $100 | $8,328 | $1,200 |
Health Net | $759 | $35 | $9,108 | $420 |
Western Health Advantage | $767 | $27 | $9,204 | $324 |
Valley Health Plan | $789 | $5 | $9,468 | $60 |
* We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider’s monthly plan rates in California. We calculate average monthly savings by subtracting the statewide average monthly rate from each provider’s average to show how much cheaper they are than the overall state average. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.
L.A Care Health Plan
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Avg. Monthly Rate
$490Avg. MOOP
$8,645Avg. Deductible
$3,464
Cheapest California Health Insurance Providers By Profile
While we've summarized the cheapest health insurance companies for most in California, the most affordable plan for you depends on your age, desired plan type and metal level. It’s also important to balance health insurance premiums against deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs. Below, we've broken down the cheapest companies by category for most in the state:
Teens | L.A. Care Health Plan | $287 | $3,446 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
Young Adults | L.A. Care Health Plan | $322 | $3,866 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
Adults | L.A. Care Health Plan | $402 | $4,828 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
Seniors | L.A. Care Health Plan | $856 | $10,267 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
PPO | Health Net | $698 | $8,371 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
HMO | L.A. Care Health Plan | $402 | $4,828 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
EPO | Anthem Blue Cross Shield | $868 | $10,414 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
* Rates shown are averages for silver-tier plans, using the following ages for each group: teens age 18, young adults age 26, adults age 40, seniors age 60. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Cheapest California Health Insurance By Metal Level
Metal tiers determine how much you pay in monthly premiums versus deductibles and out-of-pocket costs when you need care. Bronze plans have the lowest premiums but highest cost-sharing, while Platinum plans have the highest premiums but lowest cost-sharing. Consider your expected healthcare usage. If you rarely visit the doctor, Bronze plans save money monthly, while frequent medical needs make Gold or Platinum plans more cost-effective.
L.A. Care Health Plan offers the cheapest California health insurance plans across all metal levels, with average rates as low as $356 for Bronze plans and as high as $494 for Platinum plans.
Bronze | L.A. Care Health Plan | $356 | $4,272 | $9,800 | $5,800 |
Silver | L.A. Care Health Plan | $402 | $4,828 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
Gold | L.A. Care Health Plan | $454 | $5,452 | $9,200 | $0 |
Platinum | L.A. Care Health Plan | $494 | $5,931 | $5,000 | $0 |
* Rates shown are the provider's average at the given metal tier for 40-year-olds.
Compare Cheap California Health Insurance Plans
Use the table below to find the most affordable health insurance plans in California for your specific needs:
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Anthem Blue Cross Shield | Anthem Blue Cross Silver 70 HMO | $563 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| L.A. Care Health Plan | LA Care Silver 70 HMO | $402 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Kaiser Permanente | Kaiser Silver 70 HMO | $592 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Western Health Advantage | Western Health Silver 70 HMO | $620 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Health Net | Health Net Silver 70 Ambetter HMO | $525 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Valley Health Plan | Valley Health Silver 70 HMO | $651 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Molina Healthcare | Molina Health Care Silver 70 HMO | $491 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Blue Shield Silver 70 Trio HMO | $670 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Balance by CCHP | CCHP Silver 70 HMO | $762 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| SHARP Health Plan | SHARP Health Plan Silver 70 Premier HMO | $474 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in California
Comparing health insurance plans feels overwhelming when you're looking at dozens of options with different premiums, deductibles and coverage levels. Follow these five steps to find affordable coverage that meets your healthcare needs without breaking your budget.
- 1Determine what coverage plan you need and can afford
The best type of plan and metal tier for you depends on your personal health circumstances and income. To decide how much health insurance you should get, calculate how much income you can put aside for monthly premiums, consider your health and determine your risk for injury or disease based on your location, age and habits.
- 2Find out your subsidy eligibility
Your household income and size determine eligibility for 2026 health insurance subsidies. These subsidies currently apply to incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Lower incomes receive larger subsidies, with the credit amount decreasing as income rises.
- 3Consider federal programs if old enough
If you're old enough, explore Medicare/Medicaid programs, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans. They're usually cheaper than traditional options and allow more flexibility with coverage choices.
- 4Review prescription formularies
Review prescription coverages for medications you regularly take. Some insurers place common medications on lower tiers with reduced copays compared to competitors, saving you hundreds annually.
- 5Compare plans during Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15, but you may qualify for Special Enrollment if you've lost your job, experienced a divorce or had a child. Compare the types of coverage, customer ratings, costs and the availability of your medical providers in the plan.
Bottom Line
L.A. Care Health Plan, Molina Healthcare and SHARP Health Plan are California's cheapest health insurance providers. While we recommend these options, you should compare as many plan types and tier quotes as possible from multiple companies to get the best deal.
Cheap California Health Insurance: FAQ
We answer common questions about cheap health insurance in California:
What is the cheapest health insurance in California?
In California, L.A. Care Health Plans has the cheapest health insurance, with silver plans starting at $402 for 40-year-olds.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Low-cost health insurance plans mean high out-of-pocket expenses when accessing medical services. Higher-premium plans provide broader coverage and reduce your out-of-pocket maximums significantly.
Do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in California?
Subsidies reduce monthly premiums through Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace. To determine if you’re eligible, simply enter your income during enrollment.
When can I enroll in health insurance in California?
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15, but you may qualify for Special Enrollment if you've had a qualifying life event like losing your job, experiencing a divorce or having a child.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in California
MoneyGeek obtained data directly from Covered California on available health insurance plans in the state based on consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. We considered the cheapest overall to be those that have the lowest monthly premium costs for 40-year-olds due to most in the state being near this age demographically and for simplicity. To determine the cheapest options for different age groups, we used the ages specified. However, cheaper plans tend to have higher out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles, meaning you may pay more if you receive care.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.