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 (2026)
Updated: February 3, 2026
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 for 40-year-olds.
Plan type affects your costs more than company choice. HMO plans from L.A. Care, PPO coverage through Health Net and EPO options via Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield consistently rank as most affordable in their categories.
Medi-Cal covers you at no cost when your income qualifies. For those who earn too much for Medi-Cal, shop Covered California during Open Enrollment (November 1 through January 15) to access subsidized plans.
Covered California's subsidy calculator shows your exact costs in seconds. Household income between $15,650 and $62,600 for a single person qualifies you for federal tax credits that can drop Silver plan premiums to $0 monthly.
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
Molina Healthcare
MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$616 monthlyAverage MOOP
$9,800Average Deductible
$5,200
Cheapest California Health Insurance Providers by Profile
Your age and plan type influence your monthly costs. Young adults (26-year-olds) pay $322 monthly for Silver-tier coverage, while seniors (60-year-olds) pay $856 monthly for the same benefits. L.A. Care Health Plan's HMO plans cost $402 monthly for 40-year-olds. Health Net's PPO plans cost $698 monthly. Compare premiums against deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket 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 several ways to get affordable coverage in 2026, from free Medi-Cal to heavily subsidized marketplace plans. Your income, household size and health needs affect which option saves you the most money. These five steps help you find coverage that fits your budget.
- 1Match your health situation to the right plan type
Start with your monthly premium budget before comparing plan types. If you take regular medications or manage ongoing conditions, predictable out-of-pocket costs protect you better than the cheapest premiums. Your age and lifestyle affect how likely you are to need emergency or specialty care. Medi-Cal covers you at no cost when your income qualifies, while Covered California offers Bronze and Silver plans with low monthly premiums for households earning above Medi-Cal limits.
- 2See if you qualify for $0 premium plans
Income between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level makes you eligible for California Premium Credit subsidies. Silver tier plans often cost $0 monthly for qualifying residents. Your credit amount gets larger at lower incomes and decreases as you earn more.
Covered California also offers enhanced Silver plans with lower out-of-pocket costs if you earn between 100% and 250% FPL. The lower your income within this range, the less you pay when you visit the doctor or fill prescriptions. American Indian and Alaska Native members qualify for additional cost-sharing reductions.
Enter your household income and size in Covered California's Shop and Compare Tool to see your exact costs.
- 3Explore Medicare options if you're 65 or older
Most seniors pay less with Medicare than marketplace coverage. Hospital and medical benefits come bundled with extras like dental and vision through Medicare Advantage plans in California. For those who prefer Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement plans cover the out-of-pocket costs it leaves behind. Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) provides free coverage at any age when your income qualifies.
- 4Compare prescription costs across plan formularies
The same medication can cost you $10 with one insurer and $50 with another based on how it's tiered. Insurance companies organize prescriptions into different tiers, each with its own copay amount. Look up your current medications in each plan's formulary before enrolling to prevent surprise bills at the pharmacy. County-specific options like L.A. Care Covered sometimes offer stronger prescription coverage in their service areas.
- 5Shop during Open Enrollment for the best selection
Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 15 each year. You can sign up outside this window through Special Enrollment if you've lost employer coverage, gotten married or divorced, had a baby or experienced another qualifying life event. Compare coverage types, customer satisfaction ratings and total costs including deductibles. Make sure your doctors accept the plan before enrolling. Covered California's website lets you filter by these factors and find matching plans in minutes.
Cheapest Health Insurance in California: Bottom Line
L.A. Care Health Plan, Molina Healthcare and SHARP Health Plan consistently offer California's most affordable health insurance rates for 40-year-olds. Compare at least three insurers across Bronze, Silver and Gold plans to find coverage that fits your budget. Your actual costs depend on income, household size and whether you qualify for premium subsidies through Covered California, the state's official health insurance marketplace.
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 is the average monthly cost of health insurance in California?
California health insurance costs $586 monthly on average for 40-year-olds in 2026. L.A. Care Health Plan ($490/month) costs $96 below this average, while Molina Healthcare ($616/month) and SHARP Health Plan ($657/month) also offer competitive rates. Your actual rate depends on age, location, metal tier and subsidy eligibility.
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.
How to get free health insurance in California?
Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) provides free or low-cost health insurance for qualifying low-income residents. Eligibility depends on household income and size, though adults earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level typically qualify. Apply through Covered California or your county's social services office year-round.
Is $500 a month for health insurance normal in California?
$500 monthly is below California's $586 average for 40-year-old Silver HMO plan coverage in 2026. L.A. Care Health Plan averages $490 monthly, while Kaiser Permanente costs $694 and Health Net charges $759. Your age, location, metal tier and tobacco use affect your final premium significantly.
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. 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.