Best Health Insurance in California (2026)

L.A. Care Health Plan has the best health insurance in California. Indian Empire Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, Health Net and Anthem Blue Cross are strong alternatives.

Compare top health insurance plans in California.

Written by Patrick Bryant

Updated: May 20, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

L.A. Care Health Plan offers the best health insurance in California, with Silver HMO premiums 14% to 37% below the state average.

Silver-tier HMO plans from L.A. Care average $402 monthly, $184 less per month than the California Silver HMO average of $586.

All Silver 70 HMO plans on Covered California carry a standardized $9,800 out-of-pocket maximum and $5,200 deductible, which means the monthly premium is the primary variable to compare at this tier.

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's $402 monthly rate creates a $62 gap below the next cheapest option, Indian Empire Health Plan at $464. That difference adds up to $744 annually for the same standardized Silver HMO coverage structure. For buyers whose doctors participate in L.A. Care's network, the cost case is clear. Buyers who need access to providers outside L.A. Care's network should compare Health Net's PPO at $698 monthly, where out-of-network flexibility justifies the higher premium.


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	Indian 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.

CALIFORNIA HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET

California's health insurance market is built almost entirely on HMO and EPO networks. Unlike most states, California prohibits insurers from using gender as a rating factor, and the marketplace is administered exclusively through Covered California, the state exchange. That means every plan listed here has passed state review, uses standardized cost-sharing at each metal tier, and is priced on age and location alone.

At the Silver tier, every HMO plan on this page carries an identical $9,800 out-of-pocket maximum and $5,200 deductible, leaving monthly premium as the main factor for comparison. The spread between the cheapest and most expensive Silver HMO provider for a 40-year-old in our analysis runs $268 per month, or $3,216 annually.

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
- HSA-eligible Bronze plan available for tax-advantaged savings
cons
- HMO plans only
- Bronze MOOP reaches $9,800 before coverage kicks in fully
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. That's a 113% increase from the 40-year-old rate, the steepest age-based jump among our top-ranked California HMO providers. L.A. Care also offers Catastrophic plans for enrollees under 30, with premiums below Bronze-tier rates and a $10,600 deductible.
If your current doctors or specialists don't participate in L.A. Care's HMO network, the $184 monthly savings disappears quickly once you're paying out-of-pocket for out-of-network visits. L.A. Care operates primarily in Los Angeles County. Buyers in other California counties or anyone who sees providers outside that area should check network participation before treating the cost advantage as a given.

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 average $831 monthly, highest in the tier among reviewed providers
- 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. If your doctors are in the Inland Empire network and you don't need Platinum coverage, it's the strongest Silver-tier value after L.A. Care at $64 less per month than the state Silver HMO average.
Platinum coverage through Indian Empire Health Plan averages $831 monthly, the highest Platinum rate among providers we reviewed. If Platinum coverage is your preferred metal tier, Molina Healthcare's $634 monthly Platinum rate is a stronger fit.

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 average $634 monthly, among the lowest rates for the tier in California
- Gold plans 13% to 17% below the state average
- Silver plans 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 below the California average and include 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's Catastrophic plans cost 11% to 15% more than the state average for that tier, inverting the value proposition that makes its Silver and Gold plans competitive. Buyers under 30 shopping for Catastrophic coverage should compare L.A. Care and Health Net before defaulting to Molina.

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
- $9,800 MOOP cap on Silver plans
- Large statewide network with many doctors and hospitals
- PPO plans available, the only top-5 provider offering PPO Silver coverage
- Telehealth and wellness tools included with marketplace plans
cons
- Silver HMO deductibles match the $5,200 state standard with no lower-deductible option at this tier
Health Net offers Silver HMO coverage at $525 monthly for a 40-year-old, $61 below the state average. It's also the only top-five California provider in our review offering PPO plans, with Silver PPO coverage at $698 monthly for buyers who need out-of-network access or specialist visits without referrals. Bronze plans start at $407 for HMO and $482 for PPO, with HSA-eligible options at both plan types.

Health Net has operated in California for more than four decades, but you should verify current network size against your specific providers using the Covered California plan comparison tool.
Health Net's Silver HMO deductible matches the California state standard at $5,200 with no lower-deductible option at this tier. Buyers who want below-average deductibles at the Silver level won't find that here. If a lower deductible matters more than network type, Gold-tier plans from L.A. Care or Molina Healthcare eliminate the deductible entirely at lower monthly costs than Health Net's PPO.

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
- Silver HMO premiums average $563, 4% below the state average
- $5,200 Silver deductibles on par with the state standard
- Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum metal level options
cons
- Mostly HMO and EPO networks, limited out-of-network care
- EPO Bronze HDHP deductibles reach $7,200 on HSA-eligible 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. Anthem's EPO structure sits between HMO and PPO. No referrals are required, but out-of-network care isn't covered except in emergencies, which suits buyers who want specialist access without full PPO premiums.
Anthem's EPO structure means no out-of-network coverage except emergencies, which is a meaningful limitation for buyers who see specialists outside hospital systems. If you need true out-of-network flexibility, consider Health Net's PPO plans instead.

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
- No PPO option for buyers who need out-of-network specialist access
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 coverage averages about $592 monthly with a $5,200 deductible and a $9,800 out-of-pocket cap.

The rate increase by age at Kaiser tracks closely with L.A. Care. Silver HMO premiums range from $422 at 18 to $1,259 at 60. What separates Kaiser from other HMO providers is the degree of integration. Care coordination is built into the structure. Your primary care doctor, specialists, lab and pharmacy share the same records, which cuts duplicate tests and referral delays common in fragmented HMO networks.
Kaiser's integrated model is its strongest selling point but its most limiting constraint. Every element of care, your primary doctor, specialists, labs and pharmacy, must stay inside the Kaiser system. If you have existing relationships with non-Kaiser specialists or live in areas where Kaiser's footprint is thin, the model creates more friction than convenience.

Best California Health Insurance by Age

The best plan for a young adult isn't necessarily the right fit for a senior. Here are the best health insurance providers by age in California, based on Silver tier plans:

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)

The jump from age 40 to 60 is steeper than most buyers expect. L.A. Care's Silver HMO rates climb 113% over that age gap, from $402 to $856 monthly. That's not unique to L.A. Care. It reflects California's ACA age-rating structure, which allows premiums to increase up to 3:1 between the youngest and oldest adult enrollees.

For buyers between 60 and 65, that math shifts the decision. A 62-year-old paying $856 monthly for Silver HMO coverage will pay $10,272 annually before any medical costs. A Bronze plan at a lower monthly rate can produce a better total cost outcome if you rarely use care. The three-year window before Medicare eligibility is worth treating as a distinct planning problem rather than defaulting to the same tier.

Best California Health Insurance by Plan Type

Different providers are better suited for different plan types, and some providers only offer certain plan types in California. Here are the best insurance companies by network structure in the state:

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

At the Silver tier, the cheapest HMO from L.A. Care costs $402 per month, while the cheapest EPO from Anthem Blue Cross Shield costs $868. The higher EPO premium reflects added flexibility, including no referral requirements and coverage for out-of-network emergencies. PPO coverage through Health Net costs $698 per month and makes sense if you already see specialists outside an HMO network.

Compare Health Insurance Companies in California

Monthly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums vary 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

The right California health insurance plan depends on three variables: your expected annual medical use, which doctors and hospitals you need access to and your monthly budget. Use the steps below to narrow your options before comparing quotes on Covered California.

Check your doctors

In California, plan directories sometimes lag behind actual participation status. A provider listed as in-network in January may no longer accept the plan by April. Call your doctor's billing office directly and ask whether they accept the specific plan name, not just the insurance company name.

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.

California's Covered California marketplace standardizes cost-sharing at the Silver tier, so every Silver HMO plan carries the same $9,800 out-of-pocket maximum and $5,200 deductible. At this tier, total annual cost differences are based entirely on the monthly premium.

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 your plan type based on how much provider flexibility you need versus what you can afford monthly.

In California's marketplace, PPO plans are rare. Only one provider in our rankings, Health Net, offers a PPO option. If out-of-network access matters to you, your realistic choice is between Health Net's PPO at $698 monthly and an EPO from Anthem Blue Cross at $868 monthly. Both eliminate referral requirements. Only the PPO covers out-of-network care beyond emergencies.

Look at quality 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. Covered California also shows each plan's NCQA quality rating, which reflects how well the insurer manages chronic conditions and preventive care.

Take advantage of federal programs and subsidies

Low-income Californians, people with qualifying disabilities and seniors 65 and older may qualify for subsidies, Medi-Cal or Medicare. Covered California subsidies are available on a sliding scale based on income. Households earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for premium tax credits, and those under 150% may pay $0 in monthly premiums. Medi-Cal covers residents who meet income thresholds at no cost. Medicare-eligible Californians at 65 can review Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans for additional coverage beyond Original Medicare.

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in California?

California health insurance costs vary by plan type, metal tier, age and location. HMO plans are the most affordable option at every metal level. For a 40-year-old, Bronze HMO coverage averages $479 monthly and Platinum averages $782, a $303 monthly difference for the most comprehensive coverage. PPO plans cost 36% more than HMO plans at the Bronze tier and 70% more at Platinum, reflecting the added flexibility of out-of-network access.


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 and metal tier, based on MoneyGeek's analysis of 2026 Covered California plan filings. Rates vary by age, location and plan.

Best Health Insurance in California: Bottom Line

L.A. Care Health Plan is the strongest value in California's Silver HMO market at $402 monthly, $184 below the state average for structurally identical coverage. The standardized cost-sharing structure at the Silver tier means that $184 gap is almost entirely real savings, not a trade-off in deductibles or out-of-pocket limits compared to other providers.

If L.A. Care's network doesn't include your doctors, Indian Empire Health Plan at $464 is the next best option. Health Net's $698 PPO makes sense for people with established specialist relationships outside any HMO network, where the referral-free access and out-of-network emergency coverage justifies the $296 monthly premium gap over L.A. Care.

Before enrolling in any plan, use the Covered California comparison tool to check NCQA quality ratings alongside premiums.

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. To check your eligibility, use the income calculator at CoveredCA.com before comparing plans.

Which health insurance option is best for families in California?

The best health insurance for a family in California depends on how often each member needs care and which doctors and hospitals you use. L.A. Care's Silver HMO at $402 monthly for a 40-year-old is the lowest-cost starting point, but family premiums scale with each additional member. Kaiser Permanente's integrated HMO works well for families who want coordinated care across a shared provider network. Confirm every family member's doctors and specialists accept the plan before enrolling, as HMO networks require in-network care except in emergencies.

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's the best health insurance choice for seniors in California?

Californians 65 and older are eligible for Medicare, which usually provides better coverage at lower cost than marketplace plans. Seniors who aren't yet Medicare-eligible should compare L.A. Care's Silver HMO at $856 monthly for a 60-year-old against Anthem Blue Cross Shield's Silver EPO at $1,844 monthly. The $988 monthly difference buys out-of-network access, which matters if your specialists don't participate in HMO networks. If you're within two years of Medicare eligibility, a Bronze plan may cost less than Silver during the bridge period.

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.

What's the best PPO plan in California?

Health Net has the best Silver PPO value in California at $698 monthly for a 40-year-old. Blue Cross Blue Shield also provides Silver PPO coverage and is worth comparing if Health Net's network doesn't include your preferred providers. Before choosing between the two, confirm your doctors accept the plan and compare MOOP limits, which determine your maximum annual exposure in a high-use year.

How We Chose the Best Health Insurance in California

MoneyGeek analyzed all available 2026 California health insurance plans from Covered California plan filings, covering ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60 across Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum metal tiers. 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.

Learn more: MoneyGeek Health Insurance Methodology

About Patrick Bryant

Patrick Bryant is the Vertical Lead for Health Insurance at MoneyGeek, where he researches insurance products, writes consumer guides and maintains the scoring methodologies behind our provider comparisons. He analyzed more than 100 health insurance carriers across all 50 U.S. states and multiple policy types. His methodologies are reviewed quarterly to reflect current market conditions and carrier data.

Read Full Bio »

Best Health Insurance in California (2026)

Best Health Insurance Companies in California

CALIFORNIA HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET

L.A Care Health Plan

Indian Empire Health Plan

Molina Healthcare

Health Net

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Kaiser Permanente

Best California Health Insurance by Age

Best California Health Insurance by Plan Type

Compare Health Insurance Companies in California

How to Choose the Best Affordable Health Insurance in California

How Much Does 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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