Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
Dense urban market with the widest carrier network access in the state — expect the largest slate of Medicare Advantage plans and the most competitive Medigap rating.
◊ California · CA
Learn more about your Medicare plan options in California.
In California we represent both Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans from a wide variety of insurance carriers. We price off California carrier filings and ZIP-level plan availability rather than national averages — and there is never a charge for the consultation.
California Medicare at a glance
- 6,800,000
- Medicare beneficiaries statewide (approx.)
- 55%
- Enrolled in Medicare Advantage — about 3,740,000 people
- 17.3%
- Of the California population is on Medicare
Approximate statewide estimates based on publicly reported CMS Medicare enrollment data.
◊ Medigap in CA
California Medicare Supplement plans.
Roughly 45% of California beneficiaries stay on Original Medicare, and most of them pair it with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy. While well-known carriers such as Blue Shield of California have Medigap options here, several other A-rated carriers offer competitive prices. Because Medigap benefits are standardized by plan letter, identical coverage from a lesser-known carrier can save hundreds of dollars a year — and when you are living on a fixed income, every dollar counts.
Keep in mind that every health insurance company is subject to annual rate increases. Your California Medigap plan will see premium adjustments over time, which is why we review your policy each year at renewal and re-shop the market for you at no cost.
Medigap plans available in California
California offers all of the standardized Medigap plans available in nearly every other state: Plan A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N, plus high-deductible options. If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, Plans C and F are not available to you — but do not worry about missing Plan F. Plan G is usually the more cost-effective option anyway, and Plan N is worth a look if you are comfortable with small copays at the doctor's office.
| Plan | Part A deductible | Part B deductible | Part B excess | Best fit in CA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G | Covered | You pay | Covered | Most popular — full coverage after one deductible |
| High-Deductible G | After deductible | You pay | After deductible | Lowest premium, highest out-of-pocket ceiling |
| Plan N | Covered | You pay | Not covered | Lower premium with small office/ER copays |
| Plan F | Covered | Covered | Covered | Only if Medicare-eligible before 2020 |
| Plan K / L | Partial | You pay | Not covered | Cost-sharing plans with an annual out-of-pocket limit |
◊ Medicare Advantage in CA
California Medicare Advantage plans.
For California residents interested in Medicare Advantage, there are many plan options. HMO plans generally carry the lowest premiums — many at $0 per month — but there are reasonably priced PPO options as well for people who want out-of-network flexibility. More than 3,740,000 Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Advantage plans across the state, about 55% of everyone on Medicare in California.
Most California Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. For people choosing Medigap instead, standalone Part D drug plans are available statewide. The right answer is rarely about premium — it is about whether your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions are inside the plan's California network and formulary.
Carriers writing Medicare business in California
- Blue Shield of California
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Kaiser Permanente
- SCAN Health Plan
Carrier availability varies by county and ZIP code. We do not offer every plan available in your area.
◊ California ZIP coverage
6 markets. Each a different plan menu.
Medicare Advantage networks and Part D formularies are built county by county, and Medigap rates are set by ZIP code. A retiree in 90012 Los Angeles is shopping a genuinely different list than a retiree in 92101 San Diego. Here is how the California market breaks down.
San Diego, CA
San Diego County
Coastal community with a high share of relocated retirees — network adequacy and out-of-area travel benefits matter more than premium alone here.
San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
Dense urban market with the widest carrier network access in the state — expect the largest slate of Medicare Advantage plans and the most competitive Medigap rating.
Sacramento, CA
Sacramento County
State capital and government-retiree hub, where employer and TRS retiree coverage often coordinates with Medicare Parts A and B.
Fresno, CA
Fresno County
Rural service area where provider networks thin out — Medigap's any-provider-that-accepts-Medicare access is often the deciding factor.
Palm Springs, CA
Riverside County
Retirement-heavy ZIP with one of the highest Medicare-eligible concentrations in the state and a correspondingly deep plan menu.
◊ California Medicare FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need a Part D plan in California?
If you pair Original Medicare with a California Medicare Supplement plan, yes — Medigap does not include prescription coverage, so you add a standalone Part D plan. Most California Medicare Advantage plans already bundle Part D, so a separate plan is usually unnecessary and can actually disenroll you from your Advantage plan.
Which Medigap plans are available in California?
California offers the full set of standardized Medigap plans — A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N, plus high-deductible F and G. Plans C and F are only available to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. For everyone newly eligible, Plan G and Plan N are the two most commonly purchased options.
How much do Medicare Supplement plans cost in California?
Medigap premiums in California vary by carrier, age, gender, tobacco use, and ZIP code — two people in different parts of the state can pay meaningfully different rates for identical coverage. Because Medigap benefits are standardized by letter, the smartest move is to compare every A-rated carrier writing in your ZIP rather than defaulting to the best-known brand.
When can I enroll in a Medigap plan in California without health questions?
Your one-time, six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During that window, California carriers cannot decline you or rate you up for health history. Outside it, you generally have to answer medical underwriting questions unless a guaranteed-issue right applies.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap in California?
You can drop a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Election Period (October 15 – December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31), then apply for a Medigap plan. Keep in mind you may be subject to underwriting in California if you are outside your Medigap Open Enrollment window.
Need help exploring California Medicare plan options?
Meet one-on-one with a licensed advisor to compare California Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Part D plans side by side. Meet by phone or in person. There is no charge for this service.
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California Medicare plan information reviewed for 2026. Enrollment and penetration figures are approximate statewide estimates from publicly reported CMS Medicare enrollment data.