California Health Insurance

Compare affordable health insurance quotes for California instantly at GoHealthInsurance. It’s easy to request quotes, compare California health insurance plans, and apply online.

Need help understanding health coverage? Learn about California health care insurance laws and regulations, California high-risk pools, and financial assistance information.

Ready to compare health plans! Fill out the simple form below to being your search for California health insurance plans.

Not a resident of California? Search health insurance by state here.

Resources on this page

Health Insurance Information and Regulations in California

Public Health Insurance Programs for California Residents

California Health Insurance High Risk Pools

California Health Insurance Companies

Contact Info for the California Department of Insurance and Health Care Services

California Health Insurance Stats

Total California Residents: 37,370,100
California Health Care Expenditures (in millions): $230,090 / 11.0%
Median Annual Household Income: $56,074
Households with at least 1 Full Time Worker: 16,617,300
California Health Insurance Coverage based on Total Population:

• Employer: 45%
• Individual: 6%
• Medicaid: 19%
• Medicare: 10%
• Uninsured: 20%

Avg. Annual Employee Premium in CA employer-sponsored plan (after employer contribution) $974
Avg. Monthly California Individual Premiums: $157
Total California HMO Enrollment: 15,992,025

Want more information about cities in California? View the following information at:

• Los Angeles
• San Diego
• San Francisco

Health Insurance Information and Regulations in California

As a California health insurance shopper, there are a few different laws to be aware of as you search for a plan.

Under California health insurance law, any HIPAA-eligible resident is guaranteed to be able to purchase a health insurance plan from any company. California health insurance companies are also prohibited from requiring exclusion periods for HIPAA-eligible residents.

Residents who have left their employer's group health plan are protected under the federal law COBRA.

Once a resident is accepted for coverage, their policy is guaranteed renewable and insurance companies cannot cancel their coverage if they get sick.

California health insurance law also requires that private health plans cover certain medical services. These required services include:

• Routine care for cancer clinical trials
• Breast, prostate and cervical cancer screenings
• Continuity of medical care for pregnant women
• Vaccinations
• Some care services for residents with diabetes

The law also requires California health insurance companies to have the same coverage limits and benefits for mental health conditions also known as mental health parity.

All insurance rate reductions or increases must be approved by the state's insurance commissioner before the change goes into effect.

Also, group health insurance for small groups of 2 to 50 people is guaranteed issue in California.

Top of Page

California Public Health Insurance Programs

Here are the California health insurance programs for low-income residents:

• Medi-Cal
  Medi-Cal is the Medicaid program in California that provides health insurance for some low-income residents. If you want to learn more about Medi-Cal, visit them online. Eligibility requirements for Medi-Cal coverage can be found here.


• Healthy Families
  Healthy Families is the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in California, designed for children under age 19 who do not qualify for Medi-Cal and cannot afford private coverage. To learn more about Healthy Families, visit their website.


• Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP)
  California also offers a high-risk pool (MRMIP) for residents with pre-existing conditions who are unable to find health insurance through a private company. To learn more about this California health insurance program, visit http://www.mrmib.ca.gov/.


• Access For Infants and Mothers (AIM)
  This program provides health insurance coverage for some pregnant women who have no insurance or are underinsured. Visit http://www.aim.ca.gov/ for more information.


• Every Woman Counts
  California's Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program offers Medicaid coverage to eligible women who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer. The website for this California health insurance program can be found here.


• California Medicare
  Seniors eligible for Medicare can get health insurance coverage through Medicare Advantage, Supplement and Original Medicare.

Some residents in California may also be eligible for the Federal Health Coverage Tax Credit for assistance in purchasing a plan. Visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) online for more information.

Top of Page

Universal Health Care in California

San Francisco is the only city in California that provides all uninsured residents with access to health insurance coverage. Residents earning up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for the program, Healthy San Francisco.

Only residents of the city qualify for the universal coverage, and they must receive care within the city limits. Their website is at http://www.healthysanfrancisco.org/.

Top of Page

California Health Insurance High Risk Pool

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act established temporary national high risk pools to provide health insurance to people with medical conditions.

The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) in California is not a public program and enrollees will have to pay monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs similar to regular California health insurance policies.

Participants will pay around the same amount that an individual without pre-existing conditions would pay on the private insurance market. The estimated monthly cost for California residents will range between $127 for a 15 year old and $1,003 for a 74 year old. Enrollees will have to meet a $1,500 deductible and have a $2,500 out-of-pocket limit.

Enrollees in the PCIP will have coverage for physician and hospital visits, emergency services, prescription drug coverage, and more.

Individuals are eligible to enroll in the California PCIP if they have a pre-existing condition, are a United States citizen and have been without health insurance for six months.

For more information on the California health insurance high risk pool visit http://www.healthcare.gov/index.html.

Top of Page

The following list of companies offer California health insurance plans:

California Department of Insurance and Health Care Services

Find the contact information for the California health insurance and health care services departments at:

Go to Top of the California Health Insurance Page