Medicare in California
California has plenty of Medicare options available for its residents and currently has more than 6 million beneficiaries throughout the state. If you are a California resident, you can opt for the federally funded Original Medicare. You can also choose from one of the 492 Medicare Advantage plans provided through private insurers that often include additional coverage and benefits.

- Written by Christian Simmons
Christian Simmons
Financial Writer
Christian Simmons is a writer for RetireGuide and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®). He covers Medicare and important retirement topics. Christian is a former winner of a Florida Society of News Editors journalism contest and has written professionally since 2016.
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Lee WilliamsLee Williams
Senior Financial Editor
Lee Williams is a professional writer, editor and content strategist with 10 years of professional experience working for global and nationally recognized brands. He has contributed to Forbes, The Huffington Post, SUCCESS Magazine, AskMen.com, Electric Literature and The Wall Street Journal. His career also includes ghostwriting for Fortune 500 CEOs and published authors.
Read More- Published: September 9, 2021
- Updated: January 17, 2023
- 4 min read time
- This page features 6 Cited Research Articles
- Edited By
Medicare Eligibility in California
California is the most populous state in the U.S. and includes everything from massive cities to small towns. This variety also means that there are many different forms of Medicare available to you depending on if you live in a rural or urban city.
If you opt for the federally funded Original Medicare, then your eligibility is the same as essentially anywhere else in the country. You must also be 65 years old and have paid Medicare taxes while working. You also can be eligible for Medigap, which helps you cover some of the costs associated with Original Medicare, like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.
Additionally, California has numerous local options available through Medicare Advantage, which can vary by state. These plans are available through private insurance companies and will cover at minimum everything included in Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans often include added benefits and coverage.
According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 99% of California residents with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Plans in California
Since Original Medicare is a federal program, you should be able to enroll without any major state-specific requirements or regulations. This includes Part A, which covers inpatient and hospital care, and Part B, which focuses on outpatient care.
Part A is premium-free for most people, but you will have to pay a monthly premium of $164.90 for Part B in 2023. This premium can be higher depending on your level of income.
There are also many Medicare Advantage options available. There were 492 plans in California in 2023, with an average monthly premium of $16.42
Medicare Advantage plans in California include additional benefits like wellness and health care planning or rewards and incentive programs. Since private insurers provide Medicare Advantage plans, plan availability and benefits will vary by where you live in the state.
In addition, Medicare Advantage plans typically include a network for beneficiaries.
Medigap supplement insurance is also available through private insurers, but the group of plans available offer the same coverage everywhere regardless of the insurance company you use.
Medigap plans are meant to help with the costs of Original Medicare and can’t be used if you have Medicare Advantage.
A Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is often available as part of a Medicare Advantage plan, but California also has 25 stand-alone prescription drug plans.
California also has its own Medicaid program, Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal is available if you have a severely limited income or resources and cannot easily afford health care.
How To Apply for Medicare in California
When you turn 65, you will have a multi-month window to get Original Medicare. You can enroll in the three months leading up to your 65th birthday and the three months after.
You can also purchase Original Medicare by phone if you call 1-800-772-1213, or online as well. Those who are already taking Social Security are automatically enrolled.
Medicare Advantage plans are available as separate plans through private insurers, so you can get Medicare coverage through those companies.
You are eligible to buy Medigap within a six-month window once you enroll in Original Medicare.
Best Medicare Insurance Companies in California
According to the U.S. News & World Report, four insurance companies stand out for Medicare in California.
- Kaiser Permanente
- Scan Health Plan
- Sharp Health Plan
- WellCare
Like other Medicare Advantage plans, these insurers frequently offer additional benefits with their coverage.
For example, Kaiser Permanente includes wellness and fitness programs, drug coverage and may even help pay for hospice care. Scan Health Plan provides vision and dental coverage like contact lenses or glasses and diagnostic dental exams. Sharp Health Plan includes foot exams and treatment, and WellCare can offer fluoride dental treatment and routine foot care.
Different plans come with various perks and benefits, so consider your priorities and what you want to cover before selecting a plan.
6 Cited Research Articles
- U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022, September 27). 2023 Medicare Parts A and B Premiums and Deductibles 2023 Medicare Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2023-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles-2023-medicare-part-d-income-related-monthly
- U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021, September 29). Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/files/document/92921-state-state-fact-sheets-2022-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-landscape-final.pdf
- U.S. News & World Report. (2020, October 15). Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage 2021. Retrieved from https://health.usnews.com/medicare/best-medicare-plans/best-insurance-companies-for-medicare-advantage-plans
- California Department of Insurance. (n.d.). Guide to Medicare Supplement. Retrieved from http://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/05-health/03-medsup/
- Senior Gateway. (n.d.). Medicare and Medi-Cal. Retrieved from https://seniors.insurance.ca.gov/hc/medicare-and-medical.cfm
- U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Medicare Costs at a glance. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/medicare-costs-at-a-glance
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