
California has a dozen carriers that offer health insurance, and the best one for you will depend on your unique needs. Some of the top health insurance companies in California include Kaiser Permanente, Kaiser, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. Kaiser is the state's largest health plan as measured in revenue and membership, and it offers comprehensive healthcare delivery through its providers. Molina Healthcare is another good option, especially for those looking for cheap health insurance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Top medical insurance company in California | Kaiser Permanente |
| Cheapest medical insurance company in California | Molina Healthcare |
| Best medical insurance company for young adults in California | Kaiser Permanente |
| Number of Kaiser Permanente's Silver plans | 16 |
| Kaiser Permanente's average premium | $271 per month |
| Kaiser Permanente's yearly maximum out-of-pocket cost | $8,533 |
| Kaiser Permanente's denial rate | 8% |
| Number of Molina Healthcare's Silver plans | 16 (including 1 EPO, 2 PPO, and 13 HMO plans) |
| Molina Healthcare's average premium | $481 |
| Molina Healthcare's average maximum out-of-pocket cost | $6,600 |
| Molina Healthcare's denial rate | 19% |
| Number of Health Net's plan types | 4 (HMO, HCSP, EPO, and PPO) |
| Number of IEHP's plan types | 3 (including IEHP Medi-Cal and IEHP DualChoice) |
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What You'll Learn

Kaiser Permanente: best overall and for young adults
Kaiser Permanente is California's top health insurance provider, according to Insure.com and MoneyGeek. The company has achieved this status for the fifth year in a row, ranking highly in customer satisfaction and affordability. Kaiser Permanente's high-quality care and coverage have earned it a top spot in the nation.
Kaiser Permanente provides Medicare health plans that are consistently recognised for their excellence. The organisation offers customised plans and benefits, including 24/7 access to care, predictable costs, and less paperwork. Their plans are designed to cater to individuals' total health, providing connected caregivers and multiple ways to receive care.
Kaiser Permanente's plans are especially attractive to young adults, who typically opt for plans with less coverage as they require fewer medical services. The company's plans are known for their reasonable prices and sufficient coverage, making them a great choice for those seeking affordable and comprehensive healthcare options.
Kaiser Permanente has received numerous accolades and recognition for its outstanding services. For instance, the Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center achieved Magnet® status, California's highest rating. Additionally, the organisation has been recognised for its leadership in care quality measures in Hawaii and its Medicare health plans have been consistently acknowledged.
Kaiser Permanente's commitment to excellence in healthcare is evident through its dedication to patient satisfaction, affordability, and high-quality care. The organisation's achievements and recognition solidify its position as the best overall and the top choice for young adults in California.
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Molina Healthcare: best cheap provider
In California, there are two Silver PPO plans, one Silver EPO plan, and 13 Silver HMO plans offered by various health insurance companies. While the best health insurance provider depends on an individual's unique circumstances and needs, MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in California is Molina Healthcare.
Molina Healthcare is a multi-state healthcare organization that offers medical insurance to people with low incomes in collaboration with government health programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Their dual healthcare plan, also known as Cal MediConnect, offers the benefits of both Medi-Cal and Medicare to Molina members. While Molina Healthcare is usually among the cheapest options, some have criticized the company for its limited network of providers and costly co-insurance.
Molina Healthcare's plans are ideal for those who require frequent medical care or regular doctor visits. The company's plans aim to balance affordable monthly premiums with reasonable out-of-pocket costs when utilizing health services. However, it is important to note that lower monthly premiums may result in higher out-of-pocket expenses when receiving medical care.
Molina Healthcare's plans are particularly beneficial for individuals who qualify for government-sponsored programs like Medicare and Medicaid. By collaborating with these programs, Molina Healthcare ensures that its members can access essential health benefits and services.
Overall, Molina Healthcare stands out as a competitive option for Californians seeking affordable health insurance. While it may not be the ideal choice for everyone, it serves as a viable solution for those in need of basic healthcare coverage and those willing to work within its network of providers.
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Aetna, Oscar, Blue Cross Blue Shield: highly ranked
California is home to a number of highly-ranked medical insurance companies, including Aetna, Oscar, and Blue Cross.
Aetna is a well-known insurance company that offers a range of health insurance plans to meet the unique needs of its customers. They emphasize trusted care, guidance, and quality health insurance benefits. Aetna provides clear guidelines on coverage decisions, with Clinical Policy Bulletins defining their clinical policy, and members having the right to appeal any coverage determination they disagree with. Aetna also offers an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Medical Necessity Guide to help determine appropriate levels and types of care for patients with behavioral health conditions.
Oscar is another popular insurance company in California, acting as a healthcare partner for its customers. They offer affordable plans with easy access to high-quality care. Oscar provides convenient features such as a user-friendly app, virtual and local providers, and affordable prescriptions. Their Care Team is dedicated to answering questions and helping members find quality care in their area.
Blue Cross Blue Shield, represented by Anthem in California, is a leading health insurance provider. They offer flexible group insurance plans for businesses of any size, including medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, and disability plans. Anthem provides helpful resources, such as a yearly visit to track health and prevent small problems from becoming bigger. They also offer language services, with interpreters and documents available in multiple languages.
These three insurance companies are highly ranked in California, each offering competitive plans and benefits to meet the diverse needs of their members. They strive to provide quality care, guidance, and flexibility to ensure that Californians have access to the best healthcare options.
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Inland Empire Health Plan: free community wellness programs
Some of the top medical insurance companies in California include Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, and Health Net. One of the country's largest Medicaid health insurance providers is Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), which was established in California in 1994 as a Medi-Cal managed care plan in the Inland Empire region.
IEHP serves the Inland Empire region in Southern California and is one of the country's largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid plans, with 1.6 million members and over 7,000 providers in its network. IEHP offers three types of health insurance to residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. All its plans include essential benefits, such as coverage for emergency services and doctor visits.
IEHP's community wellness centres (CWCs) are open to every person in the IE community. They offer free health and wellness classes, IEHP assistance, and much more. IEHP also provides holistic health to those who need it and partners with doctors, hospitals, community centres, and other local groups to ensure members are fully cared for – mind, body, and spirit.
IEHP's actuary team members are committed to the IE, and the organisation is dedicated to creating plans that meet the needs of everyone. IEHP is more than just an insurance plan – it is a community partner in health.
IEHP also works with IP3 ASSESS, a platform that helps them explore, share, and interpret data for the Inland Empire and smaller subsets of areas (communities) to see how the data vary across the region and to prioritise areas for improvement. The platform features the Seven Vital Conditions framework, which has been shown to help all community partners collaborate to advance equitable well-being.
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Sharp: largest locally-based health plan in San Diego
California is one of a handful of states that require health insurance. The best health insurance provider for an individual will depend on their unique circumstances and needs. For example, young adults usually opt for plans with less coverage as they often require fewer medical services.
Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance company for those looking for Affordable Care Act plans, including young adults. Members appreciate Kaiser Permanente's integrated care, including centralized medical services, and streamlined appointment and referral processes.
MoneyGeek evaluated 16 Silver plans in California, including one Silver EPO plan, two Silver PPO plans, and 13 Silver HMO plans. Silver plans balance monthly payments with payments made when using health services, making them helpful for those who need regular medical care. Health Net is MoneyGeek's top pick for the best Silver PPO plan in California. However, for those seeking the best cheap health insurance in California, Molina Healthcare is recommended.
Sharp Health Plan is the largest locally-based health plan provider in San Diego. Sharp Health Plan offers a variety of health maintenance organization (HMO) and preferred provider organization (PPO) plans to meet the unique needs of individuals and employers in San Diego County. Sharp Health Plan is committed to providing quality healthcare and has received numerous awards and recognition for its services. The company offers a range of health and wellness programs, including disease management programs, health education, and resources to support members in maintaining and improving their health. Sharp Health Plan also provides access to a network of trusted and experienced doctors, specialists, and hospitals in the San Diego area, ensuring that members receive the best possible care close to home. In addition to its focus on healthcare, Sharp Health Plan is dedicated to the San Diego community and actively supports various local organizations and initiatives through sponsorships and donations. By partnering with non-profit organizations, Sharp Health Plan strives to make a positive impact and enhance the well-being of the community it serves.
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Frequently asked questions
The top medical insurance companies in California include Kaiser Permanente, Kaiser, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare.
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in California for young adults is Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser Permanente has two Bronze plans and one Catastrophic plan, with average monthly costs of $271 and a yearly maximum out-of-pocket cost of around $8,533.
According to MoneyGeek, Molina Healthcare is the best cheap provider for health insurance in California, with a score of 70 out of 100. They offer more affordable plan options and lower out-of-pocket expenses.
Other insurance companies in California include Cigna+Oscar, CalChoice, LA Care, Molina Healthcare, OSCAR, VHP, Sharp Health Plan, and Western Health Advantage.
When choosing a health insurance plan in California, it's important to consider your unique needs and ensure that the plan covers all your medical requirements. Additionally, be mindful of potential issues with lower-tier carriers and unexpected cost increases. California's small group health insurance market is regulated, providing standardized benefits and rates for employers.











































