Best Health Insurance in California (2026)

L.A. Care Health Plan offers the best health insurance in California. Indian Empire Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, Health Net and Anthem Blue Cross also provide excellent options.

Discover top health insurance plans in California below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: February 3, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

L.A. Care Health Plan offers the best health insurance in California, combining low premiums with comprehensive coverage options across all metal tiers.

Silver-tier HMO plans from L.A. Care average $402 monthly, making them the cheapest health insurance in California.

Compare quotes from multiple insurers, review coverage limits and deductibles, and verify your doctors accept the plan before enrolling.

Best Health Insurance Companies in California

L.A. Care Health Plan earns a MoneyGeek score of 5 out of 5 for the best health insurance in California. Its Silver-tier HMO plans average $402 monthly, 14% to 37% below state averages across all metal levels. Indian Empire Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, Health Net, Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente also rank highly.


L.A. Care Health Plan	$402	$9,800	$5,200	5	LA Care Silver 70 HMO
Indian Empire Health Plan	$464	$9,800	$5,200	4.9	Inland Empire Health Plan Silver 70 HMO
Molina Healthcare	$491	$9,800	$5,200	4.9	Molina Health Care Silver 70 HMO
Health Net	$525	$9,800	$5,200	4.8	Health Net Silver 70 Ambetter HMO
Anthem Blue Cross Shield	$563	$9,800	$5,200	4.7	SHARP Health Plan Silver 70 Premier HMO
Kaiser Permanente	$592	$9,800	$5,200	4.7	Anthem Blue Cross Silver 70 HMO
Western Health Advantage	$620	$9,800	$5,200	4.6	Kaiser Silver 70 HMO
Valley Health Plan	$651	$9,800	$5,200	4.6	Western Health Silver 70 HMO
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$670	$9,800	$5,200	4.5	Valley Health Silver 70 HMO

*Our picks reflect the best companies for 40-year-olds seeking Silver-tier HMO plans. Rates vary by age and coverage level.

L.A Care Health Plan

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$402
Average MOOP
$9,800
Average Deductible
$5,200

pros
- Rates 14% to 37% below the state average across all metal levels
- $0 deductibles on Gold and Platinum plans
- Plans available in all metal tiers
cons
- HMO plans only
- Higher MOOP limits on Bronze plans
L.A. Care Health Plan offers HMO coverage across all major metal tiers in California. A 40-year-old pays $356 monthly for a Bronze plan with a $5,800 deductible, while Gold ($454 monthly) and Platinum ($494 monthly) plans eliminate deductibles. Platinum offers the lowest maximum out-of-pocket limit at $5,000 compared to Gold's $9,200 cap.

Premiums nearly double by age 60, with Bronze climbing to $757 monthly and Platinum reaching $1,051 monthly. L.A. Care also offers Catastrophic plans for younger enrollees needing minimal coverage at lower premiums.

L.A. Care Health Plan California health insurance plans for 2026:


LA Care Bronze 60 HMO	$356	HMO	Bronze	$9,800	$5,800	Yes
LA Care Gold 80 HMO	$454	HMO	Gold	$9,200	$0	No
LA Care Platinum 90 HMO	$494	HMO	Platinum	$5,000	$0	No
LA Care Silver 70 HMO	$402	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	No

Indian Empire Health Plan

MoneyGeek Rating

4.9/ 5

4.8/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$464
Average MOOP
$9,800
Average Deductible
$5,200

pros
- Silver plans 20% to 21% below the state average
- Gold plans 8% to 10% below the state average
cons
- Platinum plans are most expensive tier relative to competitors
- HMO plans only
Indian Empire Health Plan offers HMO coverage at higher prices than most competitors. A 40-year-old pays $611 monthly for Gold tier zero-deductible coverage, while Platinum jumps to $831 monthly with a lower $5,000 maximum out-of-pocket cap. Bronze and Silver plans provide more affordable options at $426 and $464 monthly, with deductibles of $5,200 to $5,800.

Premiums increase with age. Sixty-year-olds pay $906 monthly for Bronze and $1,766 for Platinum. Catastrophic plans are available for younger enrollees needing basic coverage at lower premiums.

Indian Empire Health Plan California health insurance plans for 2026:


Inland Empire Health Plan Bronze 60 HMO	$426	HMO	Bronze	$9,800	$5,800	Yes
Inland Empire Health Plan Gold 80 HMO	$611	HMO	Gold	$9,200	$0	No
Inland Empire Health Plan Platinum 90 HMO	$831	HMO	Platinum	$5,000	$0	No
Inland Empire Health Plan Silver 70 HMO	$464	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	No

Molina Healthcare

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

4.7/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$491
Average MOOP
$9,800
Average Deductible
$5,200

pros
- Platinum plans are best value in the tier
- Gold plans 13% to 17% below the state average
- Silver plans are 13% to 16% below the state average
cons
- Catastrophic plans 11% to 15% more expensive than state average
- HMO plans only
Molina Healthcare's HMO plans price in the mid-to-upper range among California insurers, covering all standard metal tiers plus Catastrophic options. For 40-year-olds, Bronze coverage costs $450 monthly with a $5,800 deductible, while Silver costs $491, Gold costs $560, and Platinum costs $634. Gold and Platinum tiers eliminate deductibles, with Platinum capping maximum out-of-pocket costs at $5,000 compared to Gold's $9,200 limit. Catastrophic plans offer lower premiums for younger enrollees but include $10,600 deductibles, practical only for those who rarely use medical services.

Molina Healthcare California health insurance plans for 2026:


Molina Health Care Bronze 60 HMO	$450	HMO	Bronze	$9,800	$5,800	Yes
Molina Health Care Gold 80 HMO	$560	HMO	Gold	$9,200	$0	No
Molina Health Care Platinum 90 HMO	$634	HMO	Platinum	$5,000	$0	No
Molina Health Care Silver 70 HMO	$491	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	No

Health Net

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ 5

4.6/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$525
Average MOOP
$9,800
Average Deductible
$5,200

pros
- Out-of-pocket limits near $9,800 to cap big bills.
- Large statewide network with many doctors and hospitals.
- Wellness, telehealth and member tools beyond basic medical coverage.
cons
- Deductibles around $5,200 can strain tight budgets.
Health Net focuses on budget friendly marketplace coverage in California with average premiums of about $525 per month for a 40-year-old shopper. Plans pair that price with deductibles near $5,200 and out-of-pocket limits around $9,800, so you’ll know roughly how high costs can climb if you have a serious year of care. It offers different coverage levels on the exchange, including options that lean toward lower monthly premiums and others that trim deductibles for people who see doctors more often.

Health Net has been rooted in California for more than 45 years and builds its plans around a broad statewide network and wellness support. For shoppers who want manageable premiums, clear cost caps and extra member resources, Health Net can be a comfortable middle ground.

Health Net Plans for 2026:

Data filtered by:


Health Net Bronze 60 Ambetter HMO	$407	HMO	Bronze	$9,800	$5,800	Yes
Health Net Bronze 60 Ambetter PPO	$568	HMO	Bronze	$9,800	$5,800	Yes
Health Net Bronze 60 Ambetter PPO	$482	PPO	Bronze	$9,800	$5,800	Yes
Health Net Bronze 60 HDHP Ambetter PPO	$489	PPO	Bronze	$7,200	$7,200	Yes

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

4.5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$563
Average MOOP
$9,800
Average Deductible
$5,200

pros
- Competitive $563 average premiums for California marketplace plans
- Midrange $5,200 deductibles on many Silver plans
- Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum metal level options
cons
- Mostly HMO and EPO networks, limited out-of-network care
- High $9,800 out-of-pocket limits on some plans
Anthem Blue Cross sells individual and family plans across all four metal tiers in California, with both HMO and EPO options. For a 40-year-old, HMO Silver plan average about $563 per month with a $5,200 deductible and a $9,800 out-of-pocket cap, roughly 4% below the state Silver average. HMO Bronze comes in near $459 monthly with a $5,800 deductible and the same out-of-pocket limit, and some Bronze options are HSA-eligible for people who want to pair coverage with tax-advantaged savings.

Gold and Platinum HMO plans raise the monthly cost, around $738 and $968, but drop the deductible to zero and lower the maximum you’d pay in a heavy-use year. Many California plans include $0 preventive visits and 24/7 virtual care, so you can talk with a doctor from home for many routine concerns instead of rushing to urgent care

Anthem Blue Cross California health insurance plans for 2026:

Data filtered by:


Anthem Blue Cross Bronze 60 HDHP EPO	$746	EPO	Bronze	$7,200	$7,200	Yes
Anthem Blue Cross Bronze 60 EPO	$748	EPO	Bronze	$9,800	$5,800	Yes
Anthem Blue Cross Bronze 60 HMO	$459	HMO	Bronze	$9,800	$5,800	Yes

Kaiser Permanente

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

4.5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$592
Average MOOP
$9,800
Average Deductible
$5,200

pros
- Integrated HMO care with doctors, labs and pharmacy together
- Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans plus Minimum Coverage
- HSA-eligible HMO plan options
cons
- HMO network only, almost no out-of-network coverage
- Higher $9,800 out-of-pocket limits on many Silver plans
Kaiser Permanente builds its California marketplace plans around integrated HMO care, so your doctors, lab, pharmacy and hospital work inside the same system. For a 40-year-old, Silver plan averages about $592 per month with a $5,200 deductible and a $9,800 out-of-pocket cap, which keeps surprise bills from climbing past that level in a rough year. Silver HMO premiums range from $422 at age 18 to $474 at 26 and $1,259 at 60, all with the same cost sharing.

Members choose a primary care doctor, send messages, see test results and refill prescriptions through kp.org or the mobile app, which keeps most day-to-day tasks in one place.

Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance Plans for 2026:

Data filtered by:


Kaiser Bronze 60 HDHP HMO	$470	HMO	Bronze	$7,200	$7,200	Yes
Kaiser Bronze 60 HMO	$483	HMO	Bronze	$9,800	$5,800	Yes

Best California Health Insurance by Category

California health insurance prices vary by age and network type. Silver-tier plan comparisons show clear category leaders:

By Age:

Teens (18): L.A. Care Health Plan HMO ($287 monthly), Health Net PPO ($517), Anthem Blue Cross Shield EPO ($620)
Young adults (26): L.A. Care Health Plan HMO ($322 monthly), Health Net PPO ($551), Anthem Blue Cross Shield EPO ($695)
Adults (40): L.A. Care Health Plan HMO ($402 monthly), Health Net PPO ($698), Anthem Blue Cross Shield EPO ($868)
Seniors (60): L.A. Care Health Plan HMO ($856 monthly), Health Net PPO ($1,483), Anthem Blue Cross Shield EPO ($1,844)

By Network Type (40-year-olds):

HMO: L.A. Care Health Plan leads at $402 monthly with comprehensive Silver-tier coverage
PPO: Health Net offers the best value at $698 monthly
EPO: Anthem Blue Cross Shield provides Silver-tier coverage at $868 monthly

Compare Health Insurance Companies in California

Monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums vary significantly across metal tiers and providers. This table compares California health plans by age, coverage level and HSA eligibility.

Data filtered by:


L.A. Care Health Plan	$402	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	40	No
Indian Empire Health Plan	$464	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	40	No
Molina Healthcare	$491	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	40	No
Health Net	$525	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	40	No
SHARP Health Plan	$528	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	40	No
Anthem Blue Cross Shield	$563	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	40	No
Kaiser Permanente	$592	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	40	No
Western Health Advantage	$620	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	40	No
Valley Health Plan	$651	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	40	No
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$670	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	40	No
Balance by CCHP	$762	HMO	Silver	$9,800	$5,200	40	No

*Some providers offer multiple plans of the same type and tier. Rates are based on company averages across all available plans for the given age, plan type and metal tier.

How to Choose the Best Affordable Health Insurance in California

Choosing the right affordable health insurance in California requires comparing coverage needs and enrollment options. Use Covered California's marketplace tools and quality ratings to identify plans that match your medical needs and budget.

Check Your Doctors

Use each insurer's "Find a Doctor" tool to confirm your current physicians and hospitals participate in the network. Call your doctor's office directly and don't rely solely on online directories, which can be outdated.

Evaluate Total Costs

Add your expected annual doctor visits, prescriptions and procedures to compare real costs, in addition to the monthly premiums. If you see specialists regularly, higher premiums with lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums typically cost less overall. Healthy adults who rarely need care save money with low-premium, high-deductible plans.

Consider Plan Type

HMO plans have lower premiums but require referrals for specialists and limit you to network providers while PPO plans cost more but let you see any doctor without referrals and cover some out-of-network care. EPO plans fall between with no referrals needed. Choose the plan type based on how much provider flexibility you need versus what you can afford monthly.

Look at Ratings

Check National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) ratings for specific plan performance as plans with higher NCQA scores and lower complaint ratios typically provide better service when you need to file claims. Covered California displays these ratings during plan comparison. Review complaint ratios from the California Department of Insurance to see how insurers handle claims disputes.

Use Covered California

Shop through Covered California at CoveredCA.com to access quality ratings, compare plans side-by-side and apply for subsidies. The marketplace shows which insurers operate in your county and displays plan details including deductibles, copays and coverage limits.

Take advantage of federal programs and subsidies

Low-income people, those with qualifying disabilities or illnesses, and seniors 65 and older qualify for subsidies or Medicare. Covered California subsidies can reduce premiums to $0 for eligible low-income residents. Medicare-eligible Californians can review Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans for additional coverage options.

Average Health Insurance Cost in California

California health insurance costs vary by plan type, metal tier, age and location. HMO plans offer the most affordable coverage, with Bronze plans averaging $479 monthly and Platinum averaging $782. EPO plans range from $747 monthly for Bronze to $1,574 for Platinum. PPO plans start at $652 for Bronze and reach $1,327 for Platinum.


EPO	$747	$868	$1,111	$1,574
HMO	$479	$586	$666	$782
PPO	$652	$822	$978	$1,327

*Average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds in California by plan type. Rates vary by age and location.

Best Health Insurance in California: Bottom Line

L.A. Care Health Plan, Indian Empire Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, Health Net, Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente rank as California's top health insurers for Silver-tier HMO coverage. Your ideal plan depends on your age, preferred network type, medical usage patterns and budget. Request quotes from at least three insurers and compare premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits before enrolling.

Best California Health Insurance: FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions about the best health insurance in California:

Is health insurance required in California?

Yes, California requires residents to have health insurance. Uninsured residents pay a tax penalty when filing state returns. Exemptions apply for financial hardship, religious beliefs or coverage gaps under three months. Covered California subsidies can eliminate premiums for eligible residents.

Can you get free health insurance in California?

Yes, through Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program), which provides free or low-cost coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families. Many Californians also qualify for Covered California subsidies that reduce or eliminate monthly premiums.

Which health insurance option is best for families in California?

The best health insurance for a family in California depends on your budget, how often each family member visits doctors and which clinics or hospitals you prefer. Many families can start with an affordable Silver HMO from L.A. Care, then compare benefits, provider networks and out-of-pocket costs to find the right fit.

Which health insurance plans are a good fit for small business employers in California?

As a small business employer, you can pick between traditional group health plans and individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements, or ICHRAs. Group plans work well when most workers want the same network. ICHRAs let employees choose their own plans from different providers, such as Health Net, Anthem Blue Cross, Molina Healthcare and L.A. Care while the business sets a budget.

What is the best health insurance choice for seniors in California?

For many seniors in California, L.A. Care’s Silver HMO plan pairs an average $856 monthly premium with broad doctor access, while Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Silver EPO plan averages $1,844 monthly for more out-of-network flexibility. Your prescriptions, doctor list and budget still decide which option fits.

In California, which health insurance is the cheapest?

In California, Bronze plans usually have the lowest premiums. HMO Bronze coverage averages $479 monthly, while Silver HMO plans average $586 per month. L.A. Care’s Silver plan averages $402 monthly, and statewide rates start around $356 depending on age, metal tier and where you live in California.

Which PPO health insurance plan is the best in California?

For Silver PPO coverage in California, Health Net offers the best value for many shoppers, at about $698 monthly for a 40-year-old. Blue Cross Blue Shield also offers strong Silver-level plans. Compare both companies’ PPO options, networks and MOOP limits before choosing and checking your doctors’ participation.

How We Chose the Best Health Insurance in California

Our rankings prioritize factors that impact costs: monthly premiums, out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles.

Scoring methodology:

Monthly premium (60%): Providers with the lowest average monthly costs receive the highest scores.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) score (20%): The MOOP caps your annual spending on health care costs beyond monthly premiums. Providers with the lowest average MOOP receive the highest scores.
Deductible (20%): Your deductible is what you pay for covered services before insurance begins paying. Providers with the lowest average deductibles receive the highest scores.

We normalized provider scores within each filter category. When analyzing Silver-tier HMO plans, the top-rated provider receives 5 out of 5, with remaining providers scored proportionally.

MoneyGeek analyzed all available 2026 California health insurance plans for consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Unless noted otherwise, monthly premiums reflect rates for 40-year-olds. Analysis includes Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum metal tiers.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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.

Read Full Bio »

Best Health Insurance in California (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in California

Best California Health Insurance by Category

Compare Health Insurance Companies in California

How to Choose the Best Affordable Health Insurance in California

Average Health Insurance Cost in California

Best Health Insurance in California: Bottom Line

Best California Health Insurance: FAQ

How We Chose the Best Health Insurance in California

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