We analyzed the best Medicare Advantage plans in California based on CMS star ratings, premiums, maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs and coverage features. SCAN Health Plan offers the best HMO options in the state with a $6 average monthly premium and a $1,615 average maximum out-of-pocket limit. Alignment Health Plan leads the state for HMO-POS and PPO plans with competitive pricing and broad benefits. Both providers maintain 4 CMS star ratings.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in California (2026)
Updated: January 16, 2026
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Key Takeaways
SCAN Health Plan offers the best Medicare Advantage HMO plans in California, with a 4 CMS star rating, $6 average premium and $1,615 average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit.
Alignment Health Plan offers the best Medicare Advantage HMO-POS and PPO plans in California. Alignment's HMO-POS plans average $0 monthly while its PPO plans cost $76 per month but provide greater flexibility when choosing health care providers.
When choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, compare your monthly costs, maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits, provider access and prescription coverage against your health care needs. Confirm your doctors, hospitals and medications are in-network before enrolling.
Best Medicare Advantage Companies in California
| HMO | SCAN Health Plan | 4.00 | $6 | $1,615 | SCAN Select (HMO) |
| HMO-POS | Alignment Health Plan | 4.00 | $0 | $998 | Alignment Health Platinum + Instacart (HMO-POS) |
| PPO | Alignment Health Plan | 4.00 | $76 | $3,930 | Alignment Health Balance (PPO) |
Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are private insurance alternatives to Original Medicare that bundle hospital, medical and prescription drug coverage into one plan. These plans cover everything Original Medicare does and may add dental, vision and hearing benefits.
- CMS Star Ratings: Medicare rates plans on a 1 to 5 star scale based on quality and performance. Plans with 4 stars or higher earn high customer satisfaction scores and deliver quality care.
- Monthly premiums: You'll pay your Part B premium plus any plan premium. Many Medicare Advantage plans charge $0 in monthly premiums, though costs vary by coverage level and location.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: These caps limit your annual spending on covered services. After you reach your MOOP limit, your plan covers 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.
- Drug coverage: Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D). Check your plan's formulary to confirm coverage for your medications and understand any restrictions or prior authorization requirements.
SCAN Health Plan
Best HMO
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
5/5Quality
2.6/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4Plan Types
HMO
Alignment Health Plan
Best HMO-POS and PPO
MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
3/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO
Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plans in California
California has 114 HMO Medicare Advantage plans from 16 providers, including 75 plans with a $0 monthly premium. The median monthly premium is $0, while maximum out-of-pocket costs average $3,043 and range from $296 to $9,250. CMS star ratings range from 3 to 4.5 stars, and 67 plans earn 4 stars or higher.
SCAN Health Plan ranks first for HMO Medicare Advantage coverage in California with a MoneyGeek score of 4.61. SCAN offers 13 plans with a 4-star CMS rating, a $6 average monthly premium and a $1,615 average maximum out-of-pocket cost. Providence Medicare Advantage Plans earns a 4.54 score with one plan at no monthly premium, a $400 MOOP and a 4-star CMS rating. Aetna scores 4.47 across two plans at no monthly premium. Aetna's MOOP averages $1,713 with a 3 CMS rating.
| SCAN Health Plan | 4.00 | $6 | $1,615 | 13 | 4.61 |
| Providence Medicare Advantage Plans | 4.00 | $0 | $400 | 1 | 4.54 |
| Aetna | 3.00 | $0 | $1,713 | 2 | 4.47 |
| Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc. | 3.50 | $0 | $296 | 1 | 4.33 |
| Astiva Health | 3.50 | $0 | $3,045 | 4 | 4.29 |
| Alignment Health Plan | 4.00 | $0 | $7,639 | 17 | 4.28 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 3.94 | $21 | $2,969 | 7 | 4.27 |
| Clever Care Health Plan | 3.50 | $0 | $1,250 | 2 | 4.22 |
| Central Health Medicare Plan | 3.00 | $0 | $2,180 | 7 | 4.19 |
| Humana | 3.00 | $6 | $3,147 | 15 | 4.16 |
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO PLAN?
HMO plans require you to choose a primary care physician and get referrals for specialist visits, but cost less than other plan types. Choose an HMO if you prefer a smaller provider network and want lower monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
Best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Plans in California
Five providers offer 47 HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans in California, and more than half cost $0 monthly. Maximum out-of-pocket costs average $2,762 and range from $299 to $7,550. Thirty plans earn 4 CMS star ratings, and 17 plans earn 3 stars.
Alignment Health Plan ranks first for HMO-POS Medicare Advantage coverage in California with a MoneyGeek score of 4.8. Alignment offers one plan with a 4-star CMS rating, no monthly premium and a $998 maximum out-of-pocket cost. Aetna scores 4.29 across seven plans with a $10 average monthly premium, a $1,594 MOOP and a 3-star CMS rating. Anthem earns a 4.14 score with nine plans at no monthly premium and a $2,674 average MOOP. UnitedHealthcare offers 29 plans with a 4-star CMS rating, a $34 average monthly premium and a $3,327 MOOP.
| Alignment Health Plan | 4.00 | $0 | $998 | 1 | 4.80 |
| Aetna | 3.00 | $10 | $1,594 | 7 | 4.29 |
| Anthem | 3.00 | $0 | $2,674 | 9 | 4.14 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.00 | $34 | $3,327 | 29 | 4.00 |
| Aspire Health | 3.00 | $366 | $3,900 | 1 | 3.25 |
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO-POS PLAN?
HMO-POS plans combine HMO structure with the flexibility to see out-of-network providers at higher costs. These plans work well for seniors who want lower premiums but occasional access to specialists outside their network. Choose an HMO-POS if you primarily use in-network care but need occasional access to out-of-network doctors without referrals.
Best PPO Medicare Advantage Plans in California
California's 13 PPO Medicare Advantage plans cost more than HMO options but provide greater freedom in choosing health care providers. Monthly premiums range from $0 to $120, with a median of $41. Out-of-pocket maximums average $5,423 and range from $2,850 to $6,750. Four plans earn a 4 CMS star rating or higher, including two with 4.5-star ratings.
Alignment Health Plan leads PPO Medicare Advantage coverage in California with a MoneyGeek score of 5. Alignment has a 4-star CMS rating with two PPO options that average $76 per month and a $3,930 maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit. Humana ranks second with a 4.5 MoneyGeek score and offers eight PPO plans at a $33 average monthly premium, the lowest among top providers. Humana's MOOP averages $5,346 with a 3.5 CMS star rating. Aetna ranks third with a 4.28 MoneyGeek score and offers two plans that average $53 per month with a $6,050 MOOP limit.
| Alignment Health Plan | 4.00 | $76 | $3,930 | 2 | 5.00 |
| Humana | 3.50 | $33 | $5,346 | 8 | 4.50 |
| Aetna | 4.50 | $53 | $6,050 | 2 | 4.28 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 3.50 | $120 | $6,700 | 1 | 3.50 |
WHY CHOOSE A PPO PLAN?
PPO plans have higher premiums but give the most flexibility by letting you see any provider without referrals, though staying in-network saves money. Choose a PPO if you travel frequently, want access to specialists without primary care physician approval or have established relationships with out-of-network doctors.
How to Choose the Best California Medicare Advantage Plan
Selecting the right Medicare Advantage plan depends on your health care needs, budget and preferred level of provider flexibility. Compare these factors when choosing plans in California:
- 1Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Call your current providers to confirm they accept the plan you're considering, not just the insurance company. Networks differ between plans from the same insurer.
- 2Compare Total Costs, Not Just Premiums
$0 premium plans might cost more overall if they have high copays and out-of-pocket maximums. Calculate your expected annual costs using your typical health care usage: regular medications and specialist visits.
- 3Check Prescription Drug Coverage
Check your plan's formulary to confirm your medications are covered and identify their tier. Higher tiers mean higher copays. Some plans require prior authorization for certain drugs.
- 4Compare Different Plan Types
Choose an HMO plan type if you rarely see specialists and want lower costs. Pick an HMO-POS if you need occasional out-of-network access. Select a PPO if you travel frequently or want unrestricted specialist access.
- 5Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
CMS star ratings reflect customer satisfaction, care quality and plan administration. Plans with 4 stars or higher provide better service and health outcomes.
- 6Compare Extra Benefits
Many California Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships and over-the-counter allowances. Compare extras based on what you need most.
- 7Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
Out-of-pocket maximums cap your annual spending on covered services. Lower maximums provide better financial protection if you experience serious illness or injury, though they come with higher premiums.
How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in California?
Medicare Advantage costs in California vary by plan type. HMO plans cost the least in the state with a median premium of $0 and average of $18 per month. HMO out-of-pocket maximums average $3,043. HMO-POS plans cost more at a $28 average monthly premium but have lower out-of-pocket maximums averaging $2,762. PPO plans cost the most in the state with a median monthly premium of $41 and an average of $47. PPO out-of-pocket maximums average $5,423, nearly double HMO plans. PPO plans cost more because they let you see out-of-network providers and access specialists without referrals.
| HMO | $0 | $18 | $3,043 |
| HMO-POS | $0 | $28 | $2,762 |
| PPO | $41 | $47 | $5,423 |
Best California Medicare Advantage: FAQ
Here are answers to common questions about enrolling in Medicare Advantage, understanding coverage and managing enrollment periods in California.
How do you get a Medicare Advantage plan in California?
You can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or when you first become eligible for Medicare. Visit Medicare.gov to compare plans, call insurers directly or work with a licensed insurance agent. Coverage starts Jan. 1 for fall enrollments or the first day of the month after you sign up during other qualifying periods.
What does Medicare Advantage cover?
Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare does, including hospital stays (Part A) and doctor visits (Part B), and most include prescription drug coverage (Part D). Many California plans add dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships and over-the-counter allowances. You'll still pay Medicare Part B premiums plus any additional premium your Medicare Advantage plan charges.
What’s the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?
Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with a bundled plan from a private insurer that includes medical coverage and often prescription drugs. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare to help pay deductibles and copays. Medicare Advantage uses provider networks, while Medicare Supplement lets you see any doctor who accepts Medicare.
When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in California?
The Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. California also has a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from Jan. 1 to March 31 for people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. New Medicare beneficiaries get a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday.
Our Methodology: How We Ranked California's Best Medicare Advantage Plans
We analyzed Medicare Advantage plans in California using a weighted scoring system that prioritizes affordability and quality. Our methodology scores three main factors to help you find plans that offer the best value for your health care needs.
- Affordability (50%): Cost makes up half of our overall score because it directly impacts your budget. We evaluated monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage combined (30% weight) and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits (20% weight). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP amounts score higher since they reduce your total annual health care spending.
- Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings measure plan quality across categories like care effectiveness, customer service and member satisfaction. The Overall Star Rating combines both Part C (medical coverage) and Part D (prescription drug) ratings on a scale from 1 to 5 stars. Higher-rated plans earn better scores in our analysis.
- Availability (10%): We score providers based on how many states they operate in, including Washington, D.C. Providers with broader geographic availability score higher because they're more likely to maintain coverage if you move and often have more resources for customer support and plan improvements.
This scoring system helps you compare plans objectively while accounting for what matters most: what you'll pay and the quality of care you'll receive.
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.