California is a state with endless opportunities. There isn’t another state quite like Cali, with its surfing culture, gorgeous coastal weather, Hollywood dreams, and just about everything else you can think of, from professional sports teams to DisneyLand! The only problem with having so many things to get out there and experience is having sufficient healthcare insurance in California to protect your health as you do your thing—whatever that may be!
So if you’re ready to break free from your parent’s health insurance plan, or you’re prepared to switch your coverage to a plan that better fits your needs, then read on, and we’ll explain everything you need to know about California health insurance.
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There is no one-size-fits-all health insurance policy. Fortunately for California residents, you have various health insurance options that suit every budget, from government-funded Medi-Cal to health insurance offered through private insurance. Once you understand the different types of health insurance, it’s relatively easy to discover which policy suits you.
Suppose health insurance is just out of reach for you and your family. In that case, you should consider applying for Medi-Cal—a government-subsidized health insurance program for Americans living below the federal poverty line. Although Medicaid differs by state, California’s health insurance program is called Medi-Cal, and it provides low-cost or no-cost health insurance for qualifying applicants.
To qualify for California’s Medi-Cal subsidized health insurance plan, here are the conditions:
You may also qualify for Medi-Cal if you’re in these programs:
If you’re interested in enrolling in the Medi-Cal health insurance program, there are many ways to apply, including:
Medi-Cal covers all essential health benefits, such as:
Medi-Cal is a great option for those who otherwise couldn’t afford health insurance and allows them to get the care they need.
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California offers low-income health insurance to individuals living 138% below the federal poverty line and another subsidized plan for those that don’t qualify for Medi-Cal, called Covered California. Covered California is premium assistance offered through the state’s health insurance marketplace. To qualify, your individual or family income must be within the range of 0-400% of the federal poverty line.
If you’ve got health insurance through your employer and suddenly lose your job—which means no health insurance—you have a 60-day window to sign up for COBRA if you haven’t already sourced new coverage.
Employer-sponsored health insurance means you and your employer both pay into the cost of your premiums, but with COBRA, there is no cost-sharing; you pay the full freight. Unfortunately, this coverage is often costly; on average, it’s more than $600 a month. You’d be better off turning to Covered California or exploring private health insurance choices if you’re going to pay that much for COBRA.
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If you’re interested in getting private health insurance, it’s easy to pick the plan that best serves your needs as it’s offered in metallic tiers—bronze, silver, gold, or platinum. Each tier covers the 10 essential health care benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Here’s what each of the metallic tiers offers:
If any of these tiers stand out and you’re curious about how much it’ll cost you, get access to free, no-risk quotes here.
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Open enrollment is the time of year when you shop or make changes to your health insurance.
For Californians, open enrollment runs from November 1—January 15. If you miss this deadline, you’ll have to wait until next year, or you might be able to change your plan if you’ve had a qualifying life event, like a job change or marriage.
The average cost of a silver health insurance plan in California for a 40 year old man is around $550—this figure has risen by 1% since 2022.
Affordable health insurance in California depends on the metallic tier you buy. Here’s a detailed cost breakdown of how much you can expect to pay for health insurance by tier and age.
| Metallic Tier | Cost For A 21 Year Old | Cost For A 40 Year Old |
| Bronze | $370 | $470 |
| Silver | $425 | $550 |
| Gold | $500 | $635 |
| Platinum | $650 | $830 |
Your best bet? Shop around until you find a plan that fits your budget and your needs.
Because short-term health insurance doesn’t cover all essential health benefits, in 2018, the Senate passed Bill 910 outlawing the sale of short-term coverage. Thus, you won’t be able to take out a short-term health insurance plan in California.
Suppose you’re lucky enough to call California home, like over 39 million other Americans. In that case, you know the state doesn’t just have beautiful views along the Pacific Coast Highway, but it also offers many health insurance choices! Health insurance in California is affordable and gives you peace of mind that no matter what happens when you’re out exploring the state, you’ll have medical coverage.
To help you find the best health care insurance in California, here’s what you need to ask yourself:
Once you know what type and kind of California health insurance you want, never settle on your first quote; always shop around! Every insurer uses different calculations to set your rates, so it pays to compare quotes.
If you want to start discovering the best health insurance coverage in California, get access to free quotes fast just by clicking here.
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