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 and SHARP Health Plan also rank highly.
Best Health Insurance in California (2026)
Updated: December 12, 2025
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 | $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 |
SHARP Health Plan | $528 | $9,800 | $5,200 | 4.8 | SHARP Health Plan Silver 70 Premier HMO |
Anthem Blue Cross Shield | $563 | $9,800 | $5,200 | 4.7 | Anthem Blue Cross Silver 70 HMO |
Kaiser Permanente | $592 | $9,800 | $5,200 | 4.7 | Kaiser Silver 70 HMO |
Western Health Advantage | $620 | $9,800 | $5,200 | 4.6 | Western Health Silver 70 HMO |
Valley Health Plan | $651 | $9,800 | $5,200 | 4.6 | Valley Health Silver 70 HMO |
Blue Cross Blue Shield | $670 | $9,800 | $5,200 | 4.5 | Blue Shield Silver 70 Trio 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
$402Average MOOP
$9,800Average Deductible
$5,200
Indian Empire Health Plan
MoneyGeek Rating
4.9/ 5
4.8/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$464Average MOOP
$9,800Average Deductible
$5,200
Molina Healthcare
MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$491Average MOOP
$9,800Average Deductible
$5,200
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:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| 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 Find the Best Health Insurance in California
Finding the right health insurance in California requires comparing coverage needs, provider reputations and enrollment options.
Decide on your coverage needs before buying
Compare monthly premiums against maximum out-of-pocket limits. Frequent medical visits? Plans with higher monthly costs but lower MOOP limits often save money long-term. For those rarely needing care, lower-premium plans with higher out-of-pocket limits may suffice. Review HMO, PPO and EPO plan types to understand network flexibility and referral requirements.
Compare company offerings and reputations
Research what plans providers offer in your area and review coverage terms. Check company reputations through J.D. Power ratings and state complaint data to verify claims handling and customer service quality.
Shop around
California rates start as low as $356 monthly, depending on age, plan type and coverage level. Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. Special Enrollment applies if you've lost your job, divorced or had a child.
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 and Molina Healthcare 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.
When is open enrollment in California?
California's open enrollment for 2026 coverage runs from November 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026. Select or renew a plan by December 31, 2025, to guarantee coverage starting January 1, 2026.
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.
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.
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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.