L.A. Care Health Plan provides the cheapest health insurance policies with an average monthly premium of $490. Availability varies by county, but L.A. Care is the most affordable provider overall. Molina Healthcare, SHARP Health Plan, Indian Empire Health Plan and Kaiser Permanente also offer competitive rates.
Cheapest Health Insurance in California: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: December 12, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
L.A. Care Health Plan is California's most affordable health insurance provider, with an average monthly premium of $490.
L.A. Care Health Plan offers the cheapest rates for teens, young adults, adults, seniors and HMO plans. Health Net has the lowest PPO rates, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield provides the most affordable EPO coverage.
Compare at least three insurers during Open Enrollment to find affordable coverage. Spending 30 minutes comparing plans can save you hundreds annually.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in California
L.A. Care Health Plan | $490 | $304 | $5,880 | $3,648 |
Molina Healthcare | $616 | $178 | $7,392 | $2,136 |
SHARP Health Plan | $657 | $137 | $7,884 | $1,644 |
Indian Empire Health Plan | $666 | $128 | $7,992 | $1,536 |
Kaiser Permanente | $694 | $100 | $8,328 | $1,200 |
Health Net | $759 | $35 | $9,108 | $420 |
Western Health Advantage | $767 | $27 | $9,204 | $324 |
Valley Health Plan | $789 | $5 | $9,468 | $60 |
*Average monthly rates represent the rounded mean of each provider's monthly plan rates in California. Average monthly savings show how much cheaper each provider is compared to the statewide average monthly rate. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.
L.A Care Health Plan
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$490Average MOOP
$8,645Average Deductible
$3,464
Cheapest California Health Insurance Providers by Profile
Your age, plan type and metal level determine which provider offers the lowest rates. Compare premiums against deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs when choosing coverage.
Teens | L.A. Care Health Plan | $287 | $3,446 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
Young Adults | L.A. Care Health Plan | $322 | $3,866 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
Adults | L.A. Care Health Plan | $402 | $4,828 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
Seniors | L.A. Care Health Plan | $856 | $10,267 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
PPO | Health Net | $698 | $8,371 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
HMO | L.A. Care Health Plan | $402 | $4,828 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
EPO | Anthem Blue Cross Shield | $868 | $10,414 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
*Silver-tier plan averages by age group: 18 (teens), 26 (young adults), 40 (adults) and 60 (seniors). Plan type costs use 40-year-old rates.
Cheapest California Health Insurance by Metal Level
Metal tiers determine your monthly premiums and what you'll pay when you need care. Bronze plans cost less monthly but charge higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Platinum plans have higher premiums but lower costs when you use medical services. Choose Bronze if you rarely see doctors and want to minimize monthly payments. Gold or Platinum plans work better for frequent medical appointments and prescriptions.
L.A. Care Health Plan offers California's cheapest rates across all metal levels. Bronze plans average $356 monthly, Silver plans $402, Gold plans $454 and Platinum plans $494.
Bronze | L.A. Care Health Plan | $356 | $4,272 | $9,800 | $5,800 |
Silver | L.A. Care Health Plan | $402 | $4,828 | $9,800 | $5,200 |
Gold | L.A. Care Health Plan | $454 | $5,452 | $9,200 | $0 |
Platinum | L.A. Care Health Plan | $494 | $5,931 | $5,000 | $0 |
*Provider averages for 40-year-olds at each metal tier.
Compare Cheap California Health Insurance Plans
Filter plans by age, coverage type and metal level to compare rates and coverage details.
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Anthem Blue Cross Shield | Anthem Blue Cross Silver 70 HMO | $563 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| L.A. Care Health Plan | LA Care Silver 70 HMO | $402 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Kaiser Permanente | Kaiser Silver 70 HMO | $592 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Western Health Advantage | Western Health Silver 70 HMO | $620 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Health Net | Health Net Silver 70 Ambetter HMO | $525 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Valley Health Plan | Valley Health Silver 70 HMO | $651 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Molina Healthcare | Molina Health Care Silver 70 HMO | $491 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Blue Shield Silver 70 Trio HMO | $670 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| Balance by CCHP | CCHP Silver 70 HMO | $762 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
| SHARP Health Plan | SHARP Health Plan Silver 70 Premier HMO | $474 | HMO | Silver | $9,800 | $5,200 | 40 | No |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in California
California offers dozens of health insurance plans with varying premiums, deductibles and coverage levels. These five steps help you find affordable coverage.
- 1Determine what coverage plan you need and can afford
Your health circumstances and income determine which plan type and metal tier work best. Calculate your monthly premium budget, assess your current health status and evaluate your injury or illness risk based on age, location and lifestyle.
- 2Find out your subsidy eligibility
Your household income and size determine eligibility for 2026 health insurance subsidies. Subsidies apply to incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Lower incomes receive larger subsidies, with credit amounts decreasing as income rises.
- 3Consider federal programs if you're 65 or older
Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans cost less than marketplace coverage. Compare eligibility requirements and benefits for each program.
- 4Review prescription formularies
Check which tier your medications fall under for each insurer. Some plans place common prescriptions on lower tiers with smaller copays, potentially saving you hundreds annually.
- 5Compare plans during Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. You may qualify for Special Enrollment if you've lost your job, divorced or had a child. Compare coverage types, customer ratings, costs and whether your doctors accept the plan.
Cheapest Health Insurance in California: Bottom Line
L.A. Care Health Plan, Molina Healthcare and SHARP Health Plan offer California's lowest health insurance rates. Compare quotes from at least three insurers across multiple metal tiers to match your budget and coverage needs.
Cheap California Health Insurance: FAQ
Answers to common questions about cheap health insurance in California:
What is the cheapest health insurance in California?
L.A. Care Health Plan offers the cheapest health insurance, with Silver plans starting at $402 monthly for 40-year-olds.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Cheap plans charge higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs when you need medical care. You'll pay less monthly but more when using services. Higher-premium plans cost more upfront but reduce what you pay for doctor visits, prescriptions and procedures.
Do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in California?
Subsidies reduce monthly premiums through Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace. Enter your household income during enrollment to check eligibility.
When can I enroll in health insurance in California?
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. You may qualify for Special Enrollment after losing your job, divorcing or having a child.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in California
California offers hundreds of health insurance plans, and premiums vary by age. We analyzed rate data from Covered California, the state's official health insurance marketplace, to identify which insurers offer the lowest premiums for different demographics.
Our Analysis Approach
We collected plan data for consumers aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60 to cover the full age spectrum from teens through pre-Medicare seniors. We ranked providers by their average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds as our baseline "cheapest overall" category, since this age reflects California's median health insurance consumer and provides the most relevant comparison for most shoppers.
For age-specific rankings (teens, young adults, adults, seniors), we used the corresponding ages listed above. This approach reveals which insurers offer the best rates for your specific age group, not just generic "cheapest" rankings that may not apply to you.
Important Cost Tradeoff
Bronze and Silver plans (the lowest monthly premiums) charge $5,200 to $5,800 deductibles and $9,800 maximum out-of-pocket costs. You'll save monthly but pay more when you need care. Compare premiums and potential out-of-pocket expenses based on your expected medical usage.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like 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.