Find the Best Medicare Plan in California
Licensed California Medicare specialists compare plans from Alignment Health, Kaiser Permanente, and more — at no cost to you.
Compare California Medicare Plans →* Referral compensation may apply. Cost to you: $0.
Medicare Advantage in California — 2026 Overview
Approximately 38% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries in California have chosen Medicare Advantage (Part C) over Original Medicare — near the national average of 40%. This reflects growing availability and competitive plan options throughout California.
Medicare Advantage plans in California must cover all the same services as Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and typically include additional benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage (Part D) at no extra premium.
Top Medicare Advantage Plans Available in California
The following carriers offer Medicare Advantage plans in California for 2026:
- Alignment Health
- Kaiser Permanente
- UnitedHealthcare
Plan availability, premiums, and networks vary significantly by county in California. Availability in rural California counties may be more limited than in major metro areas. Always verify your specific county options using Medicare’s Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare.
What to Compare When Choosing a California Medicare Advantage Plan
- Your doctors: Confirm your primary care physician and specialists are in-network. California’s major health systems may be in some plans but not others.
- Your prescriptions: Enter all medications into the Medicare Plan Finder to see exact drug costs per plan. Drug formularies vary widely.
- Monthly premium vs. copays: A $0 premium plan isn’t always the lowest cost. Calculate your estimated annual total: premium + expected copays + drug costs.
- Star ratings: CMS rates California plans annually on a 1–5 star scale. Choose 4-star or higher when available in your California county.
- Extra benefits: Many California Medicare Advantage plans include dental cleanings, eye exams, hearing aids, and fitness memberships not covered by Original Medicare.
2026 Medicare Advantage Enrollment Periods in California
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7. You can switch to any Medicare Advantage plan in your California county. New coverage begins January 1.
- Medicare Advantage OEP: January 1 – March 31. Switch once if already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Initial Enrollment Period: When you first become eligible for Medicare (turning 65 or joining due to disability).
- Special Enrollment: Moving within California to a different county, losing coverage, or qualifying for Extra Help all trigger a SEP.
Free Help for California Medicare Beneficiaries
The HICAP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) in California provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers statewide. They can help you compare plans in your specific California county with no obligation.
You can also use our free comparison tool (powered by eHealth’s licensed California Medicare agents) to compare plans in minutes:
California Insurance Resources
- Medicare.gov Plan Finder — Official plan comparison tool by ZIP code
- California Department of Insurance — Plan complaints and consumer protection
- Complete Medicare Advantage Guide
- Medicare Advantage Costs Explained
- Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare