The Cheapest (and Best) Health Insurance in San Diego, CA (2024)

There are many things that impact the cost of health insurance, including your location, age, plan type and more.

MoneyGeek analyzed marketplace data to help you find the best cheap health insurance in San Diego. We also researched the best health insurance companies that offer excellent customer service and plan options.

Not all plan types or metal tiers are offered by each company. Comparing quotes can get you the best plan for your needs.

If only one company offers plans in your city, choose the option that is best for you.

In addition to insurance premiums, some factors to consider when choosing affordable health insurance in California include the ease of processing claims, variety of plan options available and level of customer service.

Taking these factors into consideration, MoneyGeek’s research on San Diego insurance plans found that Health Net offers an ideal balance of responsive customer service, affordable cost and plan options. It earned the top overall score of 81.5 out of 100.

MoneyGeek found that the second-best health insurance in San Diego is offered by Molina Healthcare. The provider offers the second most affordable premiums and has multiple tier options, but it is rated slightly below average for customer service.

Health insurance premiums are calculated based on how you will split your cost of care with your insurer. The average cost of health insurance can vary depending on your city and state.

The best company overall may not always be the cheapest provider due to other factors like customer service and metal tier options. However, if affordability is your priority, make sure you understand the metal tier system and how premiums and maximum out-of-pocket costs (MOOPs) impact your costs. Also, don’t forget to factor in deductibles, copays and co-insurance.

Typically, plans are organized through a metal tier system where Bronze plans offer the most affordable premiums. Examples of costs for the different tiers in San Diego are shown below.

Keep in mind that paying lower premiums means you’ll pay higher MOOPs overall, which may be costly if you have a chronic health condition.

In addition, Expanded Bronze plans are available in some areas. These plans offer slightly more coverage than regular Bronze plans and cover at least one major service before the deductible is met.

Another factor that can impact the cost of health insurance is your age. As you get older, the cost of monthly premiums tends to increase. This is due to the fact that your health care needs tend to become more complex and expensive over time.

No matter what age you are, the cheapest plans from your provider will usually be Bronze or Expanded Bronze plans. If you choose a plan with a lower tier, carefully review the network to ensure you are ok with the providers so that you can avoid paying for out-of-network costs.

In addition, since Catastrophic plans have eligibility restrictions, we did not include them in the cheapest company table below.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for medical coverage. To find the best coverage, you’ll need to weigh plan benefits alongside any additional costs you’ll need to pay.

For instance, younger individuals with fewer health needs may consider choosing high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) or Catastrophic plans with lower premiums, while those with chronic issues may prefer more expensive premiums with lower deductibles to avoid paying out of pocket.

Low-income San Diego residents may benefit from financial assistance. Typically, a health insurance subsidy can reduce or cover the cost of insurance.

Subsidies are available to buyers whose income is at least 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Generally, subsidies are capped at 400% of the FPL, but the American Rescue Plan suspended this rule for 2022.

If you don’t qualify for subsidies, programs such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can also increase cost savings. Depending on your state, if you have a low income between 100% and 150% of the FPL, you may qualify for Medicaid.

The most affordable health insurance option isn’t always the best choice. A low-premium/high-deductible plan could cost you more money if you end up needing frequent care.

Since health insurance can be a technical topic, MoneyGeek answered some commonly asked questions about health insurance in San Diego.