Medicare in California: compare your plan options with a licensed agent
Whether you live in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento or a small town in between, a licensed agent can explain the Medicare plans we offer in your California ZIP code in plain English. There's no cost for our help.
When you call, you'll speak with a licensed insurance sales agent. Amerance Health is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
Your guide to Medicare in California
Medicare is a federal program, so Parts A and B work the same way in California as in every other state. What changes from state to state is which private plans you can choose from, the state rules that apply to Medicare Supplement insurance, and the local programs that can help you pay for coverage. This page covers what's specific to California.
Your Medicare options in California
People with Medicare in California choose between two main paths:
Original Medicare, with a Medicare Supplement and Part D
Original Medicare (Part A for hospital care and Part B for medical care) lets you see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. That's useful if you see specialists across California or spend part of the year out of state. Because Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit, many people add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy to cover deductibles and coinsurance, plus a stand-alone Part D plan for prescriptions.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They bundle hospital, medical and usually drug coverage into one plan, often with dental, vision and hearing benefits and a yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Plans are approved county by county, so what's available in Los Angeles may differ from what's available in San Diego or rural California. Most use provider networks (HMO or PPO), so it's important to confirm your doctors and hospitals before you enroll.
Not sure which path fits you? Read our Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement comparison.
California Medicare Supplement (Medigap) rules
California has some of the strongest Medigap consumer protections in the country, including a birthday rule.
- Birthday rule: each year, for 60 days starting on your birthday, you can switch to a Medigap plan with the same or fewer benefits from any insurer, with no health questions. There's no upper age limit.
- Under 65: people under 65 on Medicare because of a disability can buy Medigap during their 6-month open enrollment period, and insurers must offer Plans A, B, D and G (plus certain other plans they sell). Premiums can be higher than at 65. People whose Medicare is based on End-Stage Renal Disease are not included.
- Extra guaranteed issue rights: California adds situations beyond federal law, such as losing employer coverage (including COBRA or Cal-COBRA), when insurers can't ask health questions.
Everywhere in the U.S., your strongest protection is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period: the 6 months starting when you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During that window, insurers in California must sell you any Medigap plan they offer, at the same price as someone in good health. Plan G and Plan N are common choices for people new to Medicare. Compare what each Medigap plan covers.
Talk with a licensed agent in California
We'll compare the plans we offer in your ZIP code against your doctors, prescriptions and budget.
Call (954) 668-4095 Request a callbackTurning 65 in California
Your Initial Enrollment Period is the 7 months around your 65th birthday: the 3 months before your birthday month, the month itself and the 3 months after. Sign up in the 3 months before your birthday month so your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65. If you already receive Social Security, you'll be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. Otherwise, apply through Social Security online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office in California.
If you're still working, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. Our Turning 65 Medicare guide walks through every deadline, or you can take our 2-minute quiz to get a personal game plan.
Help paying for Medicare in California
- Medicaid (Medi-Cal): California residents with limited income and resources may qualify for Medicaid in addition to Medicare. Learn more from Medi-Cal.
- Medicare Savings Programs: run through California's Medicaid agency, these can pay your Part B premium ($202.90 a month in 2026), and in some cases your deductibles and coinsurance.
- Extra Help: a federal program that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. Apply through Social Security.
- Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs): Medicare Advantage plans for people with both Medicare and Medicaid, which coordinate both sets of benefits.
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in California
HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) is California's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Trained counselors give free, unbiased help with Medicare questions and don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-434-0222 or visit their website.
Insurance in California is regulated by the California Department of Insurance, which licenses agents and handles consumer complaints.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. For information on all of your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program).
2026 Medicare costs in California
Original Medicare costs are set nationally by CMS and are the same in California as everywhere else. Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D premiums vary by plan and location.
| Cost | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Part B standard monthly premium | $202.90 |
| Part B yearly deductible | $283 |
| Part A hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Part A premium | $0 for most people with 40 quarters of work |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 |
| Medicare Advantage in-network out-of-pocket limit | Up to $9,250 (many plans are lower) |
Key Medicare dates for California residents
- Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31, 2027, if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- General Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31 each year, if you missed signing up for Part A or Part B.
- Moving within or out of California: if you move out of your plan's service area, you get a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new plan.
California Medicare FAQs
Does California have a Medigap birthday rule?
Yes. California Medigap policyholders get a 60-day window starting on their birthday every year to switch to a plan with the same or fewer benefits from any insurer, without health questions. There's no upper age limit.
Can I get a Medicare Supplement plan under 65 in California?
Yes, if your Medicare is based on a disability. During your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period, insurers must offer Plans A, B, D and G, plus some other plans they sell, though premiums can be higher than at 65. People under 65 whose Medicare is based on End-Stage Renal Disease aren't covered by this rule.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in California?
HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) is California's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). It offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling at 1-800-434-0222. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov for information on all plans.
Can I get help paying for Medicare in California?
Yes, if your income and savings are limited. California's Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) runs the Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay your Part B premium, and Social Security runs Extra Help, which lowers prescription drug costs. People with both Medicare and Medicaid may also qualify for a Dual Special Needs Plan.
Are Medicare Advantage plans the same everywhere in California?
No. Medicare Advantage plans are approved county by county, so the plans, premiums, networks and extra benefits available in Los Angeles can differ from those in other parts of California. A licensed agent can show you the plans we offer for your ZIP code.
When can I sign up for Medicare in California?
Enrollment dates are the same in every state. Most people first sign up during their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday. If you already have Medicare, you can change Medicare Advantage and Part D plans during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, with coverage starting January 1.
Medicare help in nearby states
We also help people with Medicare in Arizona. See all the states we serve.