Top Medicare Advantage Plans in California for 2024
Find Plans in your area with your ZIP Code
2024 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Begins October 15
Be the first to know about the best new plans in California for 2024. Sign-up for our 2024 Medicare Advantage plan notification service HERE. The 2024 Medicare Part C information will be available in early October.
Finding the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in California Starts Here
Are you considering enrolling in a 2024 Medicare Advantage plan in California? You're in good company. This year, more than 31 million people enrolled in a private Medicare health plan. Some want lower costs. Some are looking for more benefits. Others need access to more healthcare providers and doctors.
On this webpage, we aim to assist you in uncovering the highest-rated Medicare Advantage (MA) plans available in California, identifying the insurance providers that offer these plans, and providing guidance on locating suitable plans within your specific County. This is important because not all plans are available in all areas.
Table of Contents
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Comparing the Leading Medicare Advantage Plans in California
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), reviews and rates California's Medicare Advantage plans based on a 5-star scale. The information used to create a plan's star rating comes from member input and data reported by the plan.
California has 5-star Medicare Advantage plans available in 2023. Not all states and locations do. This year, the highest rated Medicare plans available in California come from:
- Kaiser Permanente
- Sharp Health Plan
MedicareWire recommends that you evaluate the plans offered by these California health insurance companies, before all others, for this single reason. More stars awarded by CMS typically means members get better results. So, for instance, five-star plan members might receive better service, phone support, and care than those who have a four-star plan.
TIP: Everyone's personal situation is different. And so are California's Medicare Advantage plans. That's why it is so important to understand Medigap vs Medicare Advantage plans.
Complete List of California's Providers
California has 25 providers that offer Medicare Advantage plans. They include:
- Aetna Medicare
- Alignment Health Plan
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Co.
- Aspire Health
- Astiva Health
- Blue Shield of California
- Brand New Day
- Central Health Plan
- Central Health Medicare Plan
- Chinese Community Health Plan
- Clever Care Health Plan
- Health Net
- Humana
- Imperial Health Plan of California
- Innovative Integrated Health Community Plans
- Kaiser Permanente
- Molina Healthcare of California
- Providence Health Assurance
- SCAN Health Plan
- Sharp Health Plan
- Stanford Health Care
- UnitedHealthcare
- Wellcare
- Western Health Advantage
Top California Plans by CMS 5-Star Score
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, here are the top-ranked Medicare Advantage Plans available in California:
Top Medicare Advantage Plans in California
| Provider | Plan ID | Plan Name | Premium | Limit | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-062 | Kaiser Permanente Sr Adv Basic Santa Clara (HMO) | $0.00 | $6,000 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-015 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Inland Empire (HMO) | $0.00 | $999 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-081 | Kaiser Permanente Sr Advantage Inland Empire Value (HMO) | $0.00 | $1,999 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-032 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Alam., SF, Napa (HMO) | $70.00 | $3,900 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-082 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage San Diego Value (HMO) | $0.00 | $2,900 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-060 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic SF (HMO) | $0.00 | $6,000 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-043 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic SnJoaq (HMO) | $0.00 | $4,900 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-042 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced SnJoaq (HMO) | $65.00 | $2,500 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-065 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic San Mateo (HMO) | $0.00 | $6,000 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-037 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage San Diego (HMO) | $0.00 | $1,999 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-039 | Kaiser Permanente Sr Adv Enhanced Santa Clara (HMO) | $65.00 | $3,900 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-054 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Santa Cruz (HMO) | $60.00 | $4,900 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-063 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic Solano (HMO) | $0.00 | $6,700 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-008 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced Solano (HMO) | $70.00 | $5,500 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-041 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic Stanis (HMO) | $0.00 | $4,900 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-040 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced Stanis (HMO) | $65.00 | $2,500 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-034 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Ventura (HMO) | $0.00 | $1,999 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-083 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Ventura Value (HMO) | $0.00 | $2,900 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-078 | Kaiser Permanente Sr Advantage LA, Orange Value (HMO) | $0.00 | $1,999 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-059 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic Alameda (HMO) | $0.00 | $6,000 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-013 | Kaiser Permanente Sr Adv Enhanced Sac., Sonoma (HMO) | $65.00 | $3,900 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-051 | Kaiser Permanente Sr Advantage Basic Sac., Sonoma (HMO) | $0.00 | $6,000 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-061 | Kaiser Permanente Sr Adv Basic Contra Costa (HMO) | $0.00 | $6,000 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-033 | Kaiser Permanente Sr Adv Enhanced Contra Costa (HMO) | $70.00 | $3,900 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-046 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic Fresno (HMO) | $0.00 | $4,900 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-038 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced Fresno (HMO) | $65.00 | $2,500 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-036 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic Kern (HMO) | $0.00 | $2,900 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-035 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced Kern (HMO) | $29.00 | $1,500 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-003 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage LA, Orange Co. (HMO) | $0.00 | $999 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-064 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic Marin (HMO) | $0.00 | $6,000 | 5.0 |
| Kaiser Permanente | H0524-031 | Kaiser Permanente Sr Adv Enhanced Marin San Mateo (HMO) | $70.00 | $4,200 | 5.0 |
| Sharp Health Plan | H5386-005 | Sharp Direct Advantage VIP Plan (HMO) | $0.00 | $2,900 | 5.0 |
| Sharp Health Plan | H5386-004 | Sharp Direct Advantage Platinum Card (HMO) | $58.00 | $2,900 | 5.0 |
| Sharp Health Plan | H5386-003 | Sharp Direct Advantage Gold Card (HMO) | $0.00 | $2,900 | 5.0 |
| SCAN Health Plan | H5425-092 | SCAN Affirm partnered with Included LGBTQ+ Health (HMO) | $0.00 | $499 | 4.5 |
| SCAN Health Plan | H5425-074 | SCAN Compass (HMO) | $28.00 | $5,000 | 4.5 |
| SCAN Health Plan | H5425-004 | Scripps Signature offered by SCAN Health Plan (HMO) | $74.00 | $2,500 | 4.5 |
| SCAN Health Plan | H5425-073 | SCAN Options (HMO) | $0.00 | $2,800 | 4.5 |
| SCAN Health Plan | H5425-005 | Scripps Classic offered by SCAN Health Plan (HMO) | $0.00 | $3,400 | 4.5 |
| SCAN Health Plan | H5425-082 | SCAN Alta (HMO) | $0.00 | $900 | 4.5 |
| SCAN Health Plan | H5425-065 | SCAN Prime (HMO) | $25.00 | $299 | 4.5 |
| SCAN Health Plan | H5425-084 | SCAN Venture (HMO) | $0.00 | $1,000 | 4.5 |
| SCAN Health Plan | H5425-075 | SCAN Classic (HMO) | $0.00 | $4,000 | 4.5 |
Whether or not you can join a plan from one of the top-rated providers depends on where you live. If your California County has the plan you want, and you qualify, you can enroll. Medicare Advantage plans are regional. Generally speaking, larger urban areas have more plan options than rural areas.
Best MA Plans in California by County
Choose your California County below to see the best (and the worst) plans.
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Strategies for Choosing the Optimal Medicare Advantage Plan in California
You may be looking at plans for several different reasons, including turning 65 or the Annual Enrollment Period. Or, perhaps you are navigating a special enrollment event, such as moving to a new area. In all of these cases, there are a few important details you need to consider.
1. Evaluate How You Plan to Use Your Benefits
Do you think you’ll take maximum advantage of your benefits (doctors, hospital inpatient care, tests, etc.)? If so, prioritize plans with lower out-of-pocket maximums and lower copayments, even if they have higher monthly premiums. Otherwise, look for plans with low monthly premiums. Just be aware that plans with low or no monthly premiums tend to have higher out-of-pocket maximums and/or higher deductibles.
2. Review Your Drug Costs
Prescription drugs, not doctors, are what many seniors blame for driving up their healthcare costs. Part D prescription benefits are included with most California Medicare Advantage plans. It would be best if you made sure that the plan you choose covers your drugs at a price you can afford.
3. Consider Your Needs for Additional Coverage
Original Medicare doesn't cover all costs related to health care. It covers major medical expenses and preventative care services, however, it doesn't cover prescriptions, vision, hearing, or dental. Many of the essential services your Part A or Part B benefits don't cover are covered by Medicare Advantage plans.
4. Consider Your Healthcare Providers
Most Medicare Advantage plans available in California use local healthcare provider networks to deliver care. But not all specialists and primary care doctors accept all plans. It can be exhausting trying to find a plan you want that your doctors will accept. We can help!
Find Plans in your area with your ZIP Code
Next Steps
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Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? These common questions and answers might help.
What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage plans can have some potential drawbacks. Many plans require members to use their provider network. Costs are also heavily influenced by how you use healthcare services. This makes it difficult to budget for healthcare expenses. Most plans require members to get referrals for specialists or authorization before they can receive healthcare services. Learn more about the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage plans.
Do Medicare Advantage plans pay 100% of all costs?
A Medicare Advantage plan in California costs an average of $19.42. This is just the monthly premium. You should also consider the out-of-pocket expenses of a plan if you have any chronic conditions, which include a plan's copays and deductibles. Prescription drug benefits are also included in most Medicare Advantage plans, but they have their own out-of-pocket costs.
What do Medicare Advantage plans include?
Approved Medicare Advantage plans sold in California must, at a minimum, cover everything that's in Original Medicare. But plans do not have to cover healthcare services at the same cost as Original Medicare. For example, Medicare Part A covers about 80% of hospital stays, skilled nursing care, home health care, and hospice care. Whereas Part B provides coverage for about 80% of outpatient services, including lab tests and doctor visits. Medicare Advantage plans set their own copays and deductibles, and often charge more than 20%. However, plans have an annual limit and Original Medicare doesn't.
Citations & References
- CMS.gov, 2023 Medicare Part C Landscape Source Files, Last Accessed January 13, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "5-star special enrollment period", Last Accessed October 20, 2022
- Medicare.gov, "Medicare Advantage Plans", Last Accessed October 1, 2022
- KFF.org, "Medicare Advantage in 2023: Enrollment Update and Key Trends", Last Accessed September 5, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "How to join a Medicare Advantage Plan", Last Accessed October 11, 2022
- CMS.gov, Part C and D Performance Data, Last Accessed January 13, 2023
- CMS.gov, Monthly MA Enrollment by State/County/Contract, Last Accessed January 13, 2023
- CMS.gov, Biden-Harris Administration Announces Lower Premiums for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans in 2023, Last Accessed September 29, 2022
- CMS.gov, Medicare Marketing Guidelines, Last Accessed February 2, 2023
Plans Offered
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Centene Corporation, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Cigna-HealthSpring, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Oscar Health Insurance, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Scott and White Health Plan now part of Baylor Scott & White Health, and UnitedHealthcare.
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