Medicare Advantage · California · 2026 plan year

Medicare Advantage in San Francisco, CA

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2026 Landscape and Star Ratings files, every Medicare Advantage plan available in San Francisco, CA for 2026 is ranked by CMS star rating, with premiums and benefits laid out plainly.

55
Plans available
4.5★
Best plan: Top-rated
$0
Lowest premium/mo
$10.65
Avg premium/mo
RSS updates for this county

The short answer

San Francisco has 55 Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, the best earns 4.5★ from CMS, 26 reach 4★ or higher, and 31 carry a $0 monthly premium.

55
plans to compare
4.5★
highest CMS rating here
31
$0-premium plans
26
plans rated 4★ or higher

Premiums shown are the monthly plan premium (Part C + D). Every enrollee also pays the standard Part B premium (about $202.90/mo in 2026). Confirm any plan's current details on Medicare.gov before enrolling.

What the CMS Plan Finder Shows for San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, CA (FIPS 06075): 55 individual Medicare Advantage plans available (employer-group plans excluded). Highest CMS Star rating: 4.5/5 via KAISER FOUNDATION HP, INC.. Plan-type mix: 40 HMO, 9 Local PPO, 6 HMO POS. Monthly plan premiums (Part C + D) range $0 – $99.00 (avg $10.65), with 31 $0-premium plans. 47 of 55 plans include Part D drug coverage. CMS Star Ratings methodology →

How to read these figures

The figures above come from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2026 plan year file, which CMS publishes each autumn before the October 15 to December 7 open enrollment window. A county premium reflects only the Part C portion that a plan charges. Most enrollees still pay the standard Part B premium of about $202.90 a month on top of it, so a $0 plan is rarely free in practice. The CMS star rating runs from one to five and weights more than 40 measures, including how well a plan manages chronic conditions, how fast it answers member calls, and how members rate their own care. A plan that holds five stars earns a special enrollment period that lets people switch into it at almost any time of year. Premiums alone can mislead a shopper, because a low monthly cost often pairs with a higher deductible or a tighter provider network. Federal rules cap in-network out-of-pocket spending at $9,250 for 2026, which is why two plans with identical premiums can leave very different bills after a hospital stay. Read our methodology for how each value here is sourced and computed.

Where San Francisco sits on CMS quality

Average CMS star rating across the plans sold in this county, against every county with rated plans

3.69★ Top 65% higher than 35% of 3,121 US counties

2.5★–2.75★: 19 US counties (1%). Below this entry. 2.75★–3★: 5 US counties (0%). Below this entry. 3★–3.25★: 31 US counties (1%). Below this entry. 3.25★–3.5★: 164 US counties (5%). Below this entry. 3.5★–3.75★: 1,089 US counties (35%). This entry sits in this band. 3.75★–4★: 1,344 US counties (43%). Above this entry. 4★–4.25★: 351 US counties (11%). Above this entry. 4.25★–4.5★: 37 US counties (1%). Above this entry. 4.5★–4.75★: 3 US counties (0%). Above this entry. 4.75★–5★: 78 US counties (2%). Above this entry. This county 2.5★ 5★ every rated county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source CMS Medicare Advantage Star Ratings 2026 · 2026-09-01

All plans in San Francisco, ranked by CMS rating

#PlanInsurerTypePremium/moCMS stars
1Aetna Life Insurance Company (SNP)Aetna MedicareLocal PPO-4.5★
2Aetna Life Insurance Company (SNP)Aetna MedicareLocal PPO$04.5★
3Kaiser Foundation HP, Inc. (SNP)Kaiser PermanenteHMO$19.004.5★
4Aetna Life Insurance Company (SNP)Aetna MedicareLocal PPO$63.004.5★
5Kaiser Foundation HP, Inc. (SNP)Kaiser PermanenteHMO$99.004.5★
6Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO$04.0★
7Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO POS$04.0★
8Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO$04.0★
9Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO$04.0★
10Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO$04.0★
11Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO$04.0★
12Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO$04.0★
13Scan Health Plan (SNP)SCAN Health PlanHMO$04.0★
14Scan Health Plan (SNP)SCAN Health PlanHMO$04.0★
15Scan Health Plan (SNP)SCAN Health PlanHMO$04.0★
16Scan Health Plan (SNP)SCAN Health PlanHMO$04.0★
17Scan Health Plan (SNP)SCAN Health PlanHMO$04.0★
18Scan Health Plan (SNP)SCAN Health PlanHMO$04.0★
19Kaiser Foundation HP, Inc. (SNP)Kaiser PermanenteHMO$04.0★
20Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO$0.704.0★
21UHC OF California (SNP)UnitedHealthcareHMO POS$8.904.0★
22Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO$12.004.0★
23Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO$12.004.0★
24Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO$12.004.0★
25Alignment Health Plan (SNP)Alignment Health PlanHMO$48.004.0★
26UHC OF California (SNP)UnitedHealthcareHMO POS$69.004.0★
27Imperial Health Plan OF California, Inc. (SNP)Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc.HMO-3.5★
28Humana Benefit Plan OF Illinois, Inc. (SNP)HumanaLocal PPO-3.5★
29Health NET OF California, Inc. (SNP)Wellcare By Health NetHMO$03.5★
30Imperial Health Plan OF California, Inc. (SNP)Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc.HMO$03.5★
31Imperial Health Plan OF California, Inc. (SNP)Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc.HMO$03.5★
32Health NET Community Solutions, Inc. (SNP)Wellcare By Health NetHMO$12.003.5★
33Health NET OF California, Inc. (SNP)Wellcare By Health NetHMO$33.003.5★
34Humana Benefit Plan OF Illinois, Inc. (SNP)HumanaLocal PPO$67.003.5★
35Central Health Plan OF California, Inc. (SNP)Central Health Medicare PlanHMO-3.0★
36Aetna Health OF California Inc. (SNP)Aetna MedicareHMO POS$03.0★
37Blue Cross OF California (SNP)Anthem Blue CrossHMO POS$03.0★
38Chinese Community Health Plan (SNP)CCHP (Chinese Community Health Plan)HMO$03.0★
39Chinese Community Health Plan (SNP)CCHP (Chinese Community Health Plan)HMO$03.0★
40Blue Cross OF California Partnership Plan, Inc. (SNP)Anthem Blue Cross Partnership PlanHMO POS$03.0★
41Blue Cross OF California Partnership Plan, Inc. (SNP)Anthem Blue CrossHMO$03.0★
42Aetna Better Health OF California Inc. (SNP)Aetna MedicareHMO$03.0★
43Central Health Plan OF California, Inc. (SNP)Central Health Medicare PlanHMO$03.0★
44Central Health Plan OF California, Inc. (SNP)Central Health Medicare PlanHMO$03.0★
45Central Health Plan OF California, Inc. (SNP)Central Health Medicare PlanHMO$03.0★
46Central Health Plan OF California, Inc. (SNP)Central Health Medicare PlanHMO$03.0★
47Chinese Community Health Plan (SNP)CCHP (Chinese Community Health Plan)HMO$21.003.0★
48Plan 001-Local PPO-N/R
49Plan 003-Local PPO-N/R
50Plan 001-Local PPO-N/R
51Plan 002-Local PPO-N/R
52Align Senior Care California Inc. (SNP)Align Senior CareHMO$0N/R
53Align Senior Care California Inc. (SNP)Align Senior CareHMO$0N/R
54Align Senior Care California Inc. (SNP)Align Senior CareHMO$12.00N/R
55SAN Francisco Health Authority DBA SAN Francisco H (SNP)San Francisco Health PlanHMO$12.00N/R

Nationwide counties with similar Medicare Advantage markets

Data-derived peers across the CMS county landscape file: nearest enrollable plan count and nearest county-wide average CMS star rating. Not same-state neighbors or geographic containment.

Similar plan availability

Similar average CMS star rating

Choosing a plan in this county

Star rating first, then total cost, not the premium alone.

  • Shortlist the 4★+ plans above (26 here) - higher-rated plans manage chronic care and member service better. How star ratings work
  • Weigh total cost, not just premium: compare plan details using Medicare.gov before you enroll. Medicare Plan Compare
  • Check that your doctors and drugs are in-network before you enroll, and confirm the plan on Medicare.gov. Choosing a plan

Premiums shown are the monthly plan premium (Part C + D) from the CMS CY2026 Landscape file. Every enrollee also pays the standard Part B premium (about $202.90/mo in 2026). Always confirm current premiums, copays, and networks on Medicare.gov before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in San Francisco, CA?

There are 55 Medicare Advantage plans available in San Francisco, CA for the 2026 plan year, including 40 HMO, 9 Local PPO, 6 HMO POS. Counts are individual consumer plans (employer-group / EGHP offerings excluded). Plan availability is determined by CMS and individual insurers.

What is the best-rated Medicare Advantage plan in San Francisco?

The highest-rated plan in San Francisco has a CMS star rating of 4.5 out of 5 - KAISER FOUNDATION HP, INC.. Star ratings reflect quality measures including preventive care, chronic disease management, and member satisfaction.

How much do Medicare Advantage plans cost in San Francisco?

Monthly plan premiums (Part C + D combined) in San Francisco range from $0 to $99.00, averaging $10.65. 31 plans offer a $0 monthly premium. Every enrollee also pays the standard Part B premium (about $202.90/month in 2026) on top of the plan premium. Premiums are from the CMS CY2026 Landscape file; always confirm current details on Medicare.gov.

What types of Medicare Advantage plans are offered in San Francisco?

San Francisco has 40 HMO, 9 Local PPO, 6 HMO POS. HMO plans require in-network providers, PPO plans allow out-of-network visits at higher cost, and PFFS plans let you see any Medicare-accepting provider.

Important: PlainMedicare provides CMS data for informational purposes only. This is not medical or insurance advice. Plan availability, premiums, and benefits change annually. Always verify with Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE before enrolling.
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainMedicare