Updated: September 13, 2024
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Table of Contents
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for California directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). MoneyGeek’s scoring methodology balances costs, claims approval and plan types to find the best providers in the state.
Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October 2023 for the 2024 enrollment period.
With a MoneyGeek rating of 78, Kaiser Permanente offers the overall best health insurance in California. The provider stands out for having strong plan options, keeping out-of-pocket costs low and for managing claims well.
In California, we looked at 16 Silver health insurance plans to find the best, including EPO, PPO and HMO plans.
Excellent at keeping out-of-pocket costs low
Approves most claims
Offers a diverse range of plan types
Average on types of plans offered
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in California is Kaiser Permanente, which offers one Silver HMO plan. Kaiser Permanente's Silver HMO plan provides a structured network where you choose a primary care doctor, and they coordinate your care within the network.
Kaiser Permanente offers an average plan rate of $512 and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $9,100. Kaiser Permanente has a denial rate of 8%, which is lower than most of the competition.
MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans:
Molina Healthcare has the best health insurance in California for low out-of-pocket costs, with a MoneyGeek score of 63 out of 100. The provider offers affordable premiums and various coverage options.
To find the best plans in this category, we looked at one Gold EPO plan, one Platinum EPO plan, three Gold PPO plans and four Platinum PPO plans in California.
Affordable premium rates
Low out-of-pocket costs
Variety of plan options
Often denies claims
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in California for low out-of-pocket costs is Molina Healthcare. The company offers one Gold HMO plan and one Platinum HMO plan, metal tiers known for lower maximum out-of-pocket expenses. HMO plans usually require members to stay within a network of doctors, but costs tend to be lower than other plan types.
Molina Healthcare has an average premium of $481, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $6,600. The company has a lower denial rate than most of the competition, but it is still relatively high, at about 19%.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Gold and Platinum plans:
Molina Healthcare is the best cheap provider for cheap health insurance in California, earning a score of 70 out of 100. The provider offers more affordable plan options, lower out-of-pocket expenses and denies fewer claims than the majority of other providers.
To determine the best affordable health care options, MoneyGeek evaluated a total of 16 Silver plans in California. This included one Silver EPO plan, 2 Silver PPO plans and 13 Silver HMO plans. MoneyGeek placed a higher importance on plans with lower monthly premiums, but lower monthly premiums often mean you might have to pay more yourself when you actually get medical care.
Low out-of-pocket costs
Affordable premium rates
High claim denial rate
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in California is Molina Healthcare. It offers just one Silver plan, an HMO plan, which is a budget-friendly choice for individuals who need health coverage. HMO plans generally require members to stay within the provider network to get coverage.
It offers an average plan rate of $412 with an average maximum out of pocket cost of $9,100. Molina Healthcare has a denial rate of 18.6%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following cheap Silver plan:
Kaiser Permanente offers the best health insurance in California for young adults, with a MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100. The provider has plans that are priced well, it keeps out-of-pocket costs low and it rarely denies claims.
For this review, we looked at 18 Bronze HMO plans, 6 Bronze PPO plans, 1 Catastrophic EPO plan and 14 Catastrophic HMO plans. Remember, only those younger than 30 can choose Catastrophic plans.
Minimal claim denials, ensuring reliable coverage
Low out-of-pocket maximum costs
Diverse range of plan options available
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in California for young adults is Kaiser Permanente. Young adults usually pick plans with less coverage as they often need fewer medical services.
Kaiser Permanente has two Bronze plans and one Catastrophic plan. These plans average about $271 per month, with a yearly maximum out-of-pocket cost around $8,533. Kaiser Permanente does not offer PPO or POS plans; however, its EPO plans often provide lower costs when you stick to its network of doctors. The company's denial rate is about 8%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following plans for young adults:
Health insurance companies offer different plan types. In California, there are two Silver PPO plans, one Silver EPO plan and 13 Silver HMO plans offered. The best providers for all plan types are:
MoneyGeek's analysis only used Silver plans, which balance how much you pay each month with how much you pay when you use health services. These plans are helpful for people who go to the doctor or need medical care often.
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in California for Silver PPO plans is Health Net. It offers an average premium of $560 with an average maximum out of pocket cost of $9,100. The provider's denial rate is not listed.
PPO plans let you choose your doctors without needing a referral to see specialists. They are very common but can cost more than HMO plans. These plans are nice if you want to pick your doctors and you don't mind paying extra.
We suggest the following Silver PPO plans from Health Net:
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in California for Silver EPO plans is Anthem Blue Cross. It offers an average plan rate of $634 and the average maximum out of pocket cost for these plans is $9,100. The provider has a denial rate of 22.74%, which is higher than average.
Silver EPO plans allow you to see a specialist without always needing a referral, and they're a common plan choice. However, you must use the doctors and hospitals in the plan's network unless it's an emergency.
We suggest the following Silver EPO plans from Anthem Blue Cross:
-Silver 70 EPO around $634 per month; MOOP $9,100
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in California for Silver HMO plans is Kaiser Permanente. It offers an average plan rate of $512 and the average maximum out of pocket cost for these plans is $9,100. The provider has a denial rate of 8.45%, which is lower than many other providers.
Silver HMO plans are a common choice and can be less expensive than other types. You need to see doctors in your network, except in an emergency. Seeing a specialist requires a referral from your primary care doctor. These plans are good if you want lower monthly payments and your preferred doctors are in-network.
We suggest the following Silver HMO plans from Kaiser Permanente:
In California, the best health insurance plan for you depends on your health care needs and budget. It’s a matter of finding the right balance between affordable monthly premiums and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Below, we list two important factors to consider when buying a health insurance plan.
Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you
Health insurance plans can have different rules about which doctors you can see. In-network means the doctors are part of your plan's network and usually cost you less. Out-of-network means the doctors are not part of your plan's network, and you might have to pay more to see them. Some plans give you a choice to see doctors outside the network, but other plans do not.
In California, there are two PPO plans, one EPO plan and 13 HMO plans available. Each plan type offers a different trade-off between cost and flexibility.
Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care
When you look for health insurance, you want to find a good balance between premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. This will depend on how often you go to the doctor and how much you can spend each month. Some plans cost less each month, but if you get sick a lot, you might have to pay more for the doctors and medicine you need.
For example, if you choose the Silver 70 HMO plan from Kaiser Permanente, you pay $512 each month. The most money you have to pay in a year if you need a lot of medical care is $9,100. It might cost more each month than other Silver plans, but if you need lots of medical help, this plan could help you save money in the end.
California residents over 65 or who have a qualifying disability or illness may qualify for Medicare. It’s a federal government program that offers assistance for certain medical services but may still require some form of payment. The program covers the following services:
On the other hand, Medicaid is a no-cost option for California residents who meet the program's requirements. If your income falls below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may qualify for Medicaid coverage in California.
Finding an ideal health insurance plan can be complicated due to concerns about price and availability. MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions to help you research options.
The best health insurance in California for 2024 is provided by Kaiser Permanente. However, the best choice for you will depend on your unique circumstances and needs.
A plan with reasonable prices and sufficient coverage is what you should be looking for. Despite offering reduced prices, some plans and companies might only offer a few services that may not suit all your medical needs. Your unique needs will determine what the best health insurance plan for you is.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
