Best Cheap Medicare Advantage Plans in California
Alignment Health Plan has the best cheap Medicare Advantage plans in California.
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Alignment Health's plans cost $9 per month, on average, but it offers several plans with no monthly rate. The company also has a 24/7 team to answer your questions and help you understand your plan.
How we chose these Medicare plans: Our experts picked companies that offer plans with high-quality coverage at or below the average price in California. Recommendations are based on Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage. Average costs, Medicare star ratings and availability are some of the top factors considered. Other plan features such as deductibles and added perks also contributed to ratings.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans in California
Alignment Health Plan has the best California Medicare Advantage plans because of its low rates and high-quality coverage.
Aetna is a good option for $0-per-month plans, and SCAN is the best option for shoppers who want low-cost medical care. Kaiser Permanente and Sharp Health Plan have the highest-rated Medicare Advantage plans in CA. But their average rates are more expensive than the state average.
Medicare Advantage plans in California cost an average of $15 per month. But nearly everyone in California, more than 99% of the Medicare-eligible population, has access to a plan with no monthly cost. It can be a good choice to get a plan that costs $0 per month, but be sure to review more than just a company's average cost. Analyzing Medicare star ratings, plan features and customer satisfaction can help you find the right option.
Company | Monthly cost | CMS rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Medicare Advantage Plans | $0 | ||
| Astiva Health | $0 | ||
| Clever Care | $0 | ||
| Imperial Health Plan of California | $0 | ||
| Wellcare | $0 | |
Cost is based on the state average for each plan. Star ratings represent the California average for each company. Some companies are not yet rated.
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Alignment Health Plan: Best overall
Alignment Health Plan's low rates, good service ratings and useful perks make it the best Medicare Advantage company in CA.
Plans cost an average of $9 per month. But 88% of the company's plans have no monthly rate, making the company a good option for budget shoppers. Alignment Health Plan offers several plans that include partnerships with other businesses, including Instacart, Rite Aid and Walgreens. These plans give you extra benefits like money for groceries and an allowance for over-the-counter health products like vitamins.
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$9 ?
Why it's great
- Alignment's average rates are low, and several $0 plans are available.
- A concierge is available 24/7 to help you navigate your benefits.
- It's available in 85% of CA Medicare enrollees.
If you have a chronic illness, the Alignment Health Platinum + Instacart plan is a good option. The plan has no monthly premium and no deductibles. And if you live in Los Angeles or Orange counties, you'll only pay up to $198 per year for your health care, because the plan has a low out-of-pocket maximum. The plan gives you a free Instacart+ membership, up to $100 for Instacart groceries on a quarterly basis and free shipping on orders over $35.
All Alignment Health Plan members can use the company's 24/7 help line. Called the ACCESS On-Demand Concierge Team, these professionals help you understand your coverage and make the most of your benefits. They can help you arrange transportation to health appointments, access your health records and even set up in-person and virtual doctor visits.
If you're a veteran, consider the Alignment Health CalPlus + Veterans plan, which works with your Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. The plan has no monthly rate, and you won't pay anything for doctor visits outside the VA health care system. But if you go to VA doctors, your VA benefits will cover you instead of your Medicare Advantage plan, and you may be required to pay a copay.
The CalPlus + Veterans plan includes a $600 reimbursement for caregivers services. And if you have a qualifying chronic condition, you can get a $150 monthly grocery allowance. You also have a "flex" allowance of $600 that you can use on vision, dental, hearing or chiropractic services like hearing aids or dentures.
Aetna: Best $0 plans
Seven of Aetna's Medicare Advantage plans in California have no monthly premium.
Aetna's average rate for California Medicare Advantage plans is $13 per month, but 86% of California's Medicare-eligible population has access to a $0 Aetna plan. Aetna also has a good Medicare star rating, which means its plans offer good service and coverage. Aetna is a good choice for shoppers looking for cheap rates and good coverage. Most of Aetna's $0 monthly rate plans are HMOs, but there is one PPO plan available with no monthly cost.
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$13 ?
Why it's great
- Aetna Medicare Advantage plans are great for no monthly rate.
- It's available to 87% of CA Medicare enrollees.
The Aetna Medicare Select plan is good if you want to keep your monthly health insurance rate and your medical costs low. This plan has no monthly rate, no health or drug deductibles, no copay fees for primary care doctor visits and low or no copays for specialist visits. It is an HMO plan, though, so you'll have to have a primary care doctor, get referrals to see specialists and stay within the plan's network.
The out-of-pocket maximum, which is the most you'll pay for your medical care in a year, varies by county with the Aetna Medicare Select plan. The highest out-of-pocket maximum is $3,400 in both Sacramento and Yolo counties. The Select plan in San Joaquin County has the lowest out-of-pocket maximum at $1,900.
Consider an Aetna Medicare Elite Plan if you want a cheap plan that gives you more flexibility when getting medical care. These PPO plans cost an average of $8 per month, but 25% of California's Medicare-eligible population can access a no-cost Elite plan.
With a PPO, you don't have to stay in the network to have coverage, although you may pay more for your medical care if you use a non-preferred doctor. The plans have a $5,500 in-network out-of-pocket maximum, although you'll pay up to $8,950 out of pocket if you use both in-network and out-of-network health care providers.
SCAN: Best for low-cost medical care
Senior Care Action Network (SCAN) sells plans with low out-of-pocket maximums, which means you could pay less for your medical care.
If you want more coverage on your Medicare Advantage plan, SCAN is a good option. Several of the company's plans offer out-of-pocket maximums of less than $1,000, which is low compared to other companies. SCAN only sells HMO plans, though. If the restriction of a provider network bothers you, SCAN isn't the right choice.
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$7 ?
Why it's great
- SCAN Health Plan offers no-cost or low-cost doctor visits.
- Many plans have low out-of-pocket maximums.
- It's available to 70% of CA Medicare enrollees.
The SCAN Classic plan helps keep your medical costs down while providing useful coverage benefits. The plan costs an average of $6 per month, but in several counties, it has no monthly cost. The plan benefits vary by county, but most versions include no-cost or low-cost doctor visits, specialist visits and diagnostic tests. You also get coverage for dental exams and routine cleanings, eyeglasses and wellness programs.
SCAN also offers California's only Fully Integrated Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). To enroll, you must be eligible for Medicare and receive full Medi-Cal benefits. This helps keep your coverage simple and easy to navigate. If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, SCAN could be a good choice for a Dual-Eligible SNP.
The SCAN Affirm partnered with Included LGBTQ+ Health plan is a good option for LGBTQ+ adults. SCAN partnered with Included Health in 2022 to create the plan, which has a $5 monthly rate, on average, no drug deductible and a $791 average out-of-pocket maximum. And the SCAN Inspired by women, for women plan is a good option for coverage tailored to women's health care needs. The plan, which is new for 2024, costs $25 per month and gives you access to a women's health coach to help you make health decisions.
Top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in California
Sharp Health Plan and Kaiser Permanente have the highest-rated Medicare Advantage plans in California, but the average rates aren't cheap.
Sharp Health Plan
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$19 ?
Why it's great
- Sharp Health Plan has high ratings and great benefits.
- Some plans have low or no monthly costs.
San Diegan shoppers looking for a no-cost plan with well-rated customer service should consider the Sharp Direct Advantage VIP plan. The plan has no monthly cost and no deductible.Coverage includes dental, vision and hearing benefits, as well as worldwide emergency and routine chiropractic coverage. But because it's an HMO, you are restricted to in-network health care providers. The Sharp Direct Advantage VIP plan doesn't offer coverage for transportation, in-home support services, or home or bathroom safety devices.
Sharp Health Plan sells three Medicare Advantage plans in California with a 4.5 rating, but coverage is only available in San Diego. The average cost of a Sharp Health Plan policy is $19 per month, although two no-cost plans are available.
Kaiser Permanente
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Star rating
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Monthly rate
$26 ?
Why it's great
- Kaiser Permanente has great ratings and is widely available.
- It's available to 91% of CA Medicare enrollees.
If you're willing to pay a monthly cost for your Medicare Advantage plan, the Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced plans offer robust coverage. The plans cover prescriptions right away since they have a $0 drug deductible. There's also no copay for primary care or urgent care visits. Plan benefits vary by county, though, so be sure to review what's available in your county to know if it's right for your needs. The average cost of an Enhanced plan varies based on where you live, ranging from $29 per month in Kern County to $70 per month in Fresno.
Kaiser Permanente is one of the most widely available Medicare Advantage companies in California. It's available to 91% of the Medicare-eligible population in California.
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Medicare Advantage availability in California
Urban areas will usually have more Medicare Advantage plans available than rural areas. The number of plans you can buy varies widely between counties, ranging from a single plan in some Northern California counties to 131 plans around Los Angeles.
If you live in the parts of California where Medicare Advantage plans are expensive or unavailable, you should look into getting coverage through Original Medicare and then add on a Medicare supplement to reduce medical costs and a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage.
Number of California Medicare Advantage plans by county
Number of Medicare Advantage plans by county in California
California county | Number of Medicare Advantage plans |
|---|---|
| Alameda | 29 |
| Alpine | 3 |
| Amador | 15 |
| Butte | 4 |
| Calaveras | 3 |
California Medicare enrollment statistics
Medicare-eligible residents in California: 5,996,685
Medicare Advantage enrollees in California: 3,322,163
Number of Medicare Advantage companies in California: 22
Average monthly cost of Medicare Advantage in California: $15
Frequently asked questions
Who has the best Medicare Advantage plans in California?
Alignment Health Plan, Aetna and SCAN offer the best cheap Medicare Advantage plans in California. These companies have high-quality plans at affordable prices. Kaiser Permanente and Sharp Health Plan have the highest-rated Medicare Advantage plans in California, but their average rates are above the state average.
How much is Medicare Advantage in California?
A Medicare Advantage plan in California costs an average of $15 per month, but 2024 plans range in cost from $0 to $312 per month. In general, a basic, low-cost plan is a good choice if you have low or moderate health care needs. If you have ongoing health issues or expect to need expensive health care services, it's usually a better deal to pay more for a plan with better benefits.
Is Covered California a Medicare plan?
No. Covered California is the state marketplace for health insurance, not Medicare. To learn which Medicare plans are offered in your California county, start your search with the Medicare Plan Finder.
Methodology and sources
Medicare plan and enrollment data is from the public use files provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Analysis of Medicare Advantage plans in California includes only plans that have prescription drug coverage. Rates for 2024 exclude employer group plans, Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs), medical savings account (MSA) plans, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans, prepayment plans (HCPPs), sanctioned plans and special needs plans (SNPs).
Comparisons were made using cost data, CMS star ratings and availability. We also analyzed plan features and coverage benefits. Other sources include Alignment Health Plan, Aetna, SCAN, Sharp Health Plan and Kaiser Permanente.
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Availability of benefits and plans varies by carrier and location and may be limited to certain times of the year, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 73 organizations that offer 5,110 products in your area. Contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), to get information on all of your options.
These numbers provided are not specific to your area, but rather represent the number of organizations and the number of products available on a national basis. We will connect you with licensed insurance agents who can provide information about the number of organizations they represent and the number of products they offer in your service area. Not all plans offer all of these benefits. Benefits may vary by carrier and location. Limitations and exclusions may apply.
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Medicare supplement insurance is available to people age 65 or older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, and in some states to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or end stage renal disease.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits are offered by these carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Aspire Health Plan, Cigna Healthcare, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Healthy Blue, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare, Wellcare and WellPoint.
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