Orlando Harmon
California is one of the few states that require health insurance, and it can be expensive. Forbes Advisor ranks Kaiser Permanente as the best health insurance company that offers Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, with Aetna, Oscar, and Blue Cross Blue Shield also ranking highly. MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in California is Molina Healthcare, while its top pick for young adults is Kaiser Permanente. Covered California is the state's official health insurance marketplace, which provides consumers with an overall quality rating and individual ratings for three major aspects of health plan performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best health insurance company offering Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans | Kaiser Permanente |
| Other top-ranking companies | Aetna, Oscar, Blue Cross Blue Shield |
| Best cheap health insurance in California | Molina Healthcare |
| Best health insurance in California for young adults | Kaiser Permanente |
| Best health insurance in California for Silver PPO plans | Health Net |
| Best health insurance in California for Silver EPO plans | Anthem Blue Cross |
| Best for individuals or couples who have few doctor visits | Bronze plans |
| Best for those who go to the doctor or need medical care often | Silver PPO plans |
| Best for those who want to pick their doctors | PPO plans |
| Best for those who want lower costs | EPO plans within the network of doctors |
| Best for those who want free vision care for children under 19 | Covered California health plan |
| Best for those who want health and dental options for small businesses with 1-100 employees | Covered California health plan |
| Best for those who want to determine eligibility for financial help | Anthem Health Plan Consultants |
| Rating criteria | Helping members get the right medical care, member-reported experiences of care and service |
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What You'll Learn
Bronze plans
The Bronze 60 Plan, for example, is suitable for healthy individuals or families who want affordable Obama Care with reasonable copays for routine services. This plan has a mid-range deductible for significant procedures like outpatient surgery and hospitalisation.
The Bronze HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan) 60 Plan is another option for those interested in tax savings and opening a Health Savings Account (HSA). This plan is considered a major medical plan, providing catastrophic coverage and attracting those who prefer alternative medicine. It's important to note that the Bronze plans' out-of-pocket maximum limit is the highest among the four metal tiers of Covered California plans.
Overall, Bronze plans are ideal for those who want basic health insurance coverage and don't anticipate frequent doctor visits. These plans offer financial protection in the event of a medical emergency but come with higher out-of-pocket costs when compared to higher-tier plans.
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Covered California
The main coverage requirement is that the insurance must cover the 10 minimum essential benefits, such as preventive services, prescription drug coverage, and maternity and newborn care. Qualified health plans may be acquired through Covered California, Medi-Cal, Medicare, group insurance, a plan through the military, or off-exchange directly through the carrier.
During the open enrollment period, you may apply for a new plan or switch Covered California plans. You do not need a special reason to apply. If you miss enrolling during this period, you will not be able to apply for Obamacare coverage until the next open enrollment. Exceptions apply. You may apply for Covered California health insurance outside of open enrollment if you have a qualifying life event, such as an involuntary loss of coverage, relocation, a change in marital status, or the birth of a child.
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Kaiser Permanente
Overall, Kaiser Permanente strives to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions, combining convenience, customization, and community-focused values to deliver quality care to Californians.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross health plans include coverage for doctor visits, hospital care, and mental health benefits. They also offer Bronze health insurance plans with low monthly payments and higher deductibles. These plans are best for individuals or couples who have few doctor visits and only need coverage for medical emergencies.
Anthem Blue Cross also provides access to the Sydney Health app, where you can talk to a board-certified doctor from the comfort of your home or on the go. Many plans offer virtual care visits using the Sydney Health app at no cost.
Blue Shield of California offers some of the lowest HMO and PPO rates in your area. They also provide Medicare plans for a wide range of needs and budgets. Blue Shield of California members have access to extensive health information, well-being tools, and a wide range of doctors, specialists, and hospitals to help you find care wherever you live or work.
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Molina Healthcare
While I cannot comment on which are the "best" medical insurance plans in California, my search did yield some results for Molina Healthcare.
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Frequently asked questions
According to MoneyGeek, the best health insurance in California for young adults is Kaiser Permanente, which has a MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100. The provider has plans that are priced well, keeps out-of-pocket costs low and rarely denies claims. Molina Healthcare is also a good option for individuals who need health coverage.
Other providers that rank highly in California include Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Oscar, and Health Net.
Molina Healthcare is MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in California. It offers a Silver HMO plan, which is a budget-friendly choice for individuals who need health coverage. The average plan rate is $412 with an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $9,100.
MoneyGeek recommends Silver PPO plans for people who go to the doctor or need medical care often. The top pick for the best Silver PPO plan in California is Health Net, with an average premium of $560 and an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $9,100.
Bronze plans are best for individuals or couples who have few doctor visits and only need coverage for medical emergencies. Anthem offers Bronze plans with low monthly payments and higher deductibles. Kaiser Permanente also offers two Bronze plans, which average about $271 per month with a yearly maximum out-of-pocket cost of around $8,533.
