Best Health Insurance plans for above 65 years in California
Navigating health insurance in California after age 65 involves transitioning to Medicare or utilizing state programs like Covered California. Choosing the best plan requires balancing Original Medicare with Medigap, or opting for an all-in-one Medicare Advantage plan tailored to your medical needs and specific geographic location.
Guides Explaining Medicare Options
- Original Medicare + Medigap: Best for Nationwide Doctor Access.
- Top-Rated Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) in California.
- California "Birthday Rule": Your Key to Switching Medigap Plans Risk-Free.
- Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D): What California Seniors Need to Know .
Cost and Subsidy Focused Guides
- Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP): Coordinating Medicare and Medi-Cal
- Maximizing Covered California Subsidies for Pre-65 Retirees
Top Provider Comparisons
| Kaiser Permanente | Top-Rated Integrated Care in California |
| SCAN Health Plan | Specialized Medicare Advantage for California Seniors |
| Sharp Health Plan | Top Tier Coverage for Southern California Residents |
California's Low-Income Medicare Assistance Programs
California offers several programs to help low-income seniors with Medicare costs. The Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) can help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copayments for those who qualify based on income and asset limits. These programs include the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program and the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program.
Additionally, California participates in the federal Extra Help program (also called the Low-Income Subsidy) which helps pay for Medicare prescription drug costs. Eligible individuals can save thousands of dollars annually on prescription medications. To apply for these programs, contact your local California Department of Health Care Services office or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.