Medicare in California
Key Takeaways
Medicare in California is available to all legal U.S. residents aged 65 and older.
Original Medicare covers hospital and medical services with Parts A and B. Medicare Advantage in California is an alternative that often includes other services and Part D prescription drug coverage.
The cost of Medicare plans in California depends on factors including your income.
Finding the right Medicare coverage in California can leave even the most seasoned Golden Stater feeling lost. Who’s eligible for Medicare in CA? What are the types of Medicare? Can you enroll in Medicare Advantage in California? To find your answers, let GoHealth point you in the right direction.
What Is Medicare Called in California?
Medicare in California is simply called Medicare. It’s federally funded health insurance for legal U.S. residents aged 65 and older. If you have Original Medicare, you can use it anywhere in the country that accepts it.
Many people mistake Medi-Cal for the state’s Medicare program. Actually, Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid system. Medicaid provides a variety of services for low-income children, adults, and families.
Who Is Eligible for Medicare in California?
Medicare plans in California are for legal U.S. residents aged 65 and older. You may also be eligible to start receiving Medicare in California if you’re younger than 65 and receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
If you have ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, your Medicare benefits begin the first month you get disability benefits in California. Medicare in CA also may cover end-stage renal disease (ESRD) if you’re younger than 65.
How Does Medicare Work In California?
Knowing the parts of Medicare and how they work together can help you choose a plan that works for you.
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)
If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare, your coverage is made up of two parts: Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
Part A
- Inpatient hospital stays
- Skilled nursing and nursing home stays
- Hospice care
- Home health care
Part B
- Medically necessary doctor care
- Preventive services
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage (Part C) substitutes for Original Medicare (Part A & B), offering the same coverage. Part C plans usually bundle additional services like dental, hearing, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plan)
A Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) provides coverage for medications as a standalone plan. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage; if you’re on Original Medicare, you’ll need to add Part D separately.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Also called Medicare Supplement Insurance, Medigap covers some of the services and out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t. There are many different Medigap policies to supplement Medicare plans in California.
How do I Enroll in Medicare in California?
Want to apply for a Medicare plan in California?
- Apply online at the Social Security website
- Visit your nearest Social Security office in California
- Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
- Railroad retirees may need to enroll through the Railroad Retirement Board. Contact the RRB at 1-877-772-5772.
When Are Enrollment Periods for Medicare in CA?
There are several Medicare enrollment periods in California to know about, and each can help with different needs. Here are the enrollment periods to circle on your calendar.
Are You Getting Ready to Turn 65?
Initial Enrollment Period is your first chance to sign up for Medicare plans in California when you turn 65.
Already Enrolled in Medicare in CA?
Medicare Part C & Part D Open Enrollment Period allows you to change from Medicare Advantage in California to Original Medicare (or vice versa). This enrollment period is annually Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
Medicare General Enrollment Period is helpful if you miss your Initial Enrollment Period. Use the General Enrollment Period to enroll in Medicare in California. Held annually from Jan. 1 to Mar. 31.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period allows you to switch back to Original Medicare or change Part C plans each year from Jan. 1 to Mar. 31.
How Much Does Medicare Cost In California?
Medicare plans in California are based on a set of standard costs, but your payment depends on your policy and needs. Here are the standard costs for Original Medicare in 2024:
Medicare in CA: Part A
Premium:
- Typically no-cost if you or your spouse worked 10 or more years
- You or your spouse worked between 7.5 and 10 years: $278 a month
- You or your spouse worked fewer than 7.5 years: $505 a month
Deductible:
- $1,632 each plan period
Copayments & coinsurance:
- Hospital stays: $0 copay for Days 1-60 following deductible payment; daily charges for Days 61 and after
- Skilled Nursing Facility: $0 for Days 1-20 (each plan period); daily charges for Days 21 and after
Medicare in CA: Part B
Premium:
- $174.70 monthly and up (income-based)
Deductible:
- $240 for each plan period
Copayments & coinsurance:
- Most preventative services: $0
- Medicare-approved services: 20% coinsurance
Medicare in CA: Part D
Premium:
- Income-based; varies by plan
Deductible:
- No more than $545
Copayments & coinsurance:
- Plan- and drug-specific
Assistance Programs for Medicare in California
There are several resources for low-income residents looking for Medicare in California. Here are a few examples:
- Medicare Savings Program (MSP) can lower the out-of-pocket costs associated with your Part B coverage based on your income and resources. An MSP may pay a portion or all of your premium, coinsurance, deductible, and prescription drugs.
- Medicare Extra Help, also known as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS), can help pay for your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Part D premium, deductible, coinsurance and copayments.
- California Programs for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (CalPACE) provides nursing home-level care to those who are still living at home. In California, you must be 55 and you must live within a PACE service area.
How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost In California?
There is no standard cost for Medicare Advantage in California. In 2024, premiums for Medicare Advantage in California are expected to average roughly $16.24 per month, though your actual price will depend on the county you live in and what your plan covers. This amount is on top of the regular Medicare Part B premium you pay each month. Medicare Advantage typically includes your Part D coverage.
What Is the Best Medicare Plan in California?
The answer here is completely personal because everyone’s healthcare needs are unique. In other words, a Medicare policy that’s great for a loved one may not be for you. Here are some tools to help you determine the Medicare plan in California that will fit your needs:
- Assess your needs
- Medicare Star Ratings
- Consider each plan’s pros and cons
- Contact GoHealth: GoHealth can help with finding a Medicare plan in Michigan. Our licensed insurance agents will discuss your needs and shop for plans in your area that fit what you’re looking for.
What Are the 4 Types of Medicare Advantage Plans?
There are four main kinds of Medicare Advantage in California:
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans: plans that use a network of doctors, hospitals and other providers to treat an insurance company’s customers. With an HMO, you’ll have a primary care physician to maintain your care.
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans: plans that allow you to see any doctor in your provider network without a referral from your primary care physician.
- Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans: these plans pay healthcare providers separately for each service.
- Special Needs Plans (SNPs): plans designed specifically for patients with specific conditions, diseases or health characteristics. D-SNP assists dual eligible individuals, and C-SNP is for people with chronic diseases.
Medicare in California by the Numbers
Thousands of older adults enroll in Medicare every day across the United States. The latest CMS data shows that 5,874,307 people are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B in California. The total number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Increased from 2,878,390 to 3,037,759 year over year. Medicare Advantage participation in California went from 50.20% to 51.71% year over year. If you’d like to dive deeper into how Medicare in California breaks down across the state, we provide a glance at who is using Medicare and how.
Medicare
California
5,874,307 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
3,037,759 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
51.71% Meducare Advantage Participation Rate
54.02% Female
45.98% Male
62.38% Non-Hispanic White
5.00% African American
17.26% Hispanic
15.37% Other/Unknown
29.63% Eligible for Medicaid
1.02 Average HCC Score
$12,586.92 Actual Per Capita Costs
18.69% Hospital Readmission Rate
24.10% of Beneficiaries with an Emergency Department Visit
2,878,390 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries, Previous Year
Increased Medicare Advantage, Year over year
50.20% Meducare Advantage Participation Rate, Previous Year
See more +
Table reflects the latest Beneficiary Demographics Data: Medicare Geographic Variation – by National, State & County
Average HCC Score: The Hierarchical Condition Category score gauges a population’s overall health. The score is based on a value of 1.0. Populations with an HCC score of less than 1.0 are considered relatively healthy. The score can be used to estimate health costs.
California Medicare Resources & Contacts
To be certain you are not leaving anything on the table, let us help. A GoHealth licensed insurance agent can assess your coverage or explain which California-based resources, like these, may be able to help:
Nationwide Resources
Medicare Learning Guides
Healthcare is personal. So is choosing insurance. If you are new to Medicare, a beneficiary researching options, or a caregiver, we have tailored Medicare Guides for you.
Medicare guide
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare guide
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare guide
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Medicare guide
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Medicare guide
A Caregiver’s Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
