California residents shop for health insurance through Covered California, the state-based Marketplace. The three plan types available in the state are HMO, EPO, and PPO. These plans differ in provider network access and referral requirements, affecting your premiums and out-of-pocket costs. All plans qualify for federal and state subsidies.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in California? (2026 Rates)
Updated: March 24, 2026
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Key Takeaways
$570 per month is the average Silver HMO rate for a 40-year-old in California. The average monthly rate for EPO plans is $868, while PPO plans average $776 monthly.
Age creates a $798 monthly difference in premiums between 18-year-olds and 60-year-olds on Silver HMO plans.
Federal APTC (100% to 400% FPL) and California's state subsidy program reduce premiums for eligible residents. Check Covered California eligibility at CoveredCA.com.
California Health Insurance Cost by Plan Type
California HMO Plan Cost
HMO plans in California require members to choose a primary care physician and get referrals to see specialists. California HMO plans start at $481 per month for a 40-year-old on a Bronze plan. Silver costs $570, Gold runs $668 and Platinum tops out at $779. Paying $298 more per month for Platinum gets you a $0 deductible and cuts your maximum out-of-pocket limit from $9,410 to $5,000.
Data filtered by:
40
| 40 | Bronze | $481 | $9,410 | $6,010 |
| 40 | Silver | $570 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
| 40 | Gold | $668 | $9,200 | $0 |
| 40 | Platinum | $779 | $5,000 | $0 |
California EPO Plan Cost
EPO plans don't require referrals to see specialists, but they won't cover out-of-network care. A 40-year-old pays $747 per month for a Bronze EPO. Rates rise to $868 for Silver, $1,111 for Gold and $1,574 for Platinum. Average MOOP limits range from $8,500 with a Bronze plan to as low as $5,000 with a Platinum plan. Deductibles are high with Bronze and Silver plans at $6,500 and $5,200 respectively, but they're reduced to $0 with Gold and Platinum tiers.
Data filtered by:
40
| 40 | Bronze | $747 | $8,500 | $6,500 |
| 40 | Silver | $868 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
| 40 | Gold | $1,111 | $9,246 | $0 |
| 40 | Platinum | $1,574 | $5,000 | $0 |
California PPO Plan Cost
California PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans offer greater flexibility than HMOs. They allow you to see specialists without referrals and access both in-network and out-of-network care.
PPO plan costs vary widely by metal tier, with higher premiums paired with lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. For 40-year-olds, monthly rates range from $588 for Bronze plans to $1,217 for Platinum plans. Gold and Platinum plans eliminate deductibles. Platinum plans also reduce your maximum out-of-pocket to $5,000 compared to $8,428 with a Bronze plan.
Data filtered by:
40
| 40 | Bronze | $588 | $8,428 | $6,539 |
| 40 | Silver | $776 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
| 40 | Gold | $900 | $9,216 | $0 |
| 40 | Platinum | $1,217 | $5,000 | $0 |
What Affects Health Insurance Costs in California?
Age, metal tier, rating region, plan type, and household income all affect health insurance costs in California. Federal and state subsidies reduce premiums for income-eligible residents. California uses 19 rating regions that produce substantial geographic variation in monthly rates.
Age
A 60-year-old pays up to three times more than an 18-year-old for the same California plan. Silver HMO rates range from $407 per month at age 18 to $1,205 at age 60.
Metal Tier
A California Silver HMO averages $570 per month at age 40 vs. $481 per month for a Bronze HMO. Gold and Platinum plans cost more per month but cover a larger share of medical expenses.
Rating Region
California uses 19 rating regions where costs vary. Premiums in the Los Angeles area differ greatly from rates in less populated areas like the Central Valley.
Plan Type
PPO plans allow out-of-network access, which increases premiums. California HMO and EPO plans restrict coverage to in-network providers, keeping premiums lower.
Household Income
California's state subsidy program extends support above 400% FPL. Eligible residents pay reduced premiums based on income.
How to Lower Your Health Insurance Premium in California
Several strategies can cut what you pay each month for health insurance in California:
- 1Check your federal and state subsidy eligibility
Federal APTC applies at 100%–400% FPL. Federal enhanced subsidies expired at the end of 2025. California's state subsidy program through Covered California extends subsidies above 400% FPL for eligible residents. A 40-year-old on a Silver HMO plan in California pays $570/month before subsidies. Income-based assistance can reduce this figure.
- 2Choose the right metal tier
Bronze vs. Silver monthly premiums differ by $89 for California HMO plans at age 40. Silver plans qualify for cost-sharing reductions (CSR) for enrollees at 100% to 250% FPL, which lower deductibles and MOOP limits. The 2026 individual MOOP cap is $10,600 under federal law.
- 3Enroll through Covered California during Open Enrollment
The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) window often extends beyond the federal January 15 deadline. Confirm the exact 2026 Covered California OEP dates at CoveredCA.com. Standard federal special enrollment period (SEP) rules apply for qualifying life events.
- 4Check Medi-Cal eligibility
California has expanded Medicaid through Medi-Cal. Adults with incomes up to 138% FPL may qualify for Medi-Cal at little or no cost. There's no coverage gap in California. Residents just above the Medi-Cal threshold may qualify for Silver plans with CSR through Covered California.
California Health Insurance Cost vs. National Averages
California's average Silver HMO premium for a 40-year-old is $570 per month, 14% cheaper than the national average of $663 per month. EPO plans in California are more expensive than the national average, costing $868 monthly vs. the national average of $719. At $776 monthly, PPO plans in the state are just $5 per month cheaper than the $781 monthly average. California also offers Platinum level plans, which many states do not. These plans have higher premiums but reduce your deductible to $0 and greatly reduce your out-of-pocket maximum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest health insurance plan available in California?
Bronze HMO plans are the lowest-cost option in California, averaging $481 per month for a 40-year-old. Lower premiums come with higher deductibles and MOOP limits. Bronze plans carry the highest out-of-pocket costs of any metal tier.
Does California use HealthCare.gov or a state-based Marketplace?
California uses Covered California, a state-based Marketplace. Residents can't use HealthCare.gov to enroll in subsidized coverage. California's state subsidy program extends benefits beyond the federal 400% FPL APTC threshold.
Does California have a tobacco surcharge?
California prohibits tobacco surcharges on ACA-compliant Marketplace plans. Tobacco use doesn't affect premiums for California Marketplace plans. Most states allow surcharges of up to 50%, but California bans them entirely.
When is Open Enrollment in California?
California's Open Enrollment Period through Covered California usually goes beyond the federal January 15 deadline. Confirm the exact 2026 Covered California OEP dates at CoveredCA.com. Standard federal SEP rules apply for qualifying life events.
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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.