Medicare Advantage · State · 2026 plan year
Medicare Advantage in California
39,671 plans across 58 counties, find your county to compare every plan available where you live.
- 39,671
- Plans available
- 4.0★
- Avg CMS rating
- $17.71
- Avg premium/mo
- 58
- 5-star plans
The short answer
California offers 39,671 Medicare Advantage plans across 58 counties, averaging 4.0★ on the CMS quality scale, with 58 plans at the top 5-star tier.
- 39,671
- plans statewide
- 4.0★
- average CMS rating
- 58
- 5-star plans
- 58
- counties to browse
Medicare Advantage service areas are defined per county, a plan in one county may not be sold in the next. Find your county below.
What the CMS Data Shows for California
According to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2026 plan-year filings, California beneficiaries can choose from 39,671 distinct Medicare Advantage contracts marketed across 58 counties. The state-wide average CMS Star Rating is 4.00 out of 5.00, based on the composite of clinical quality, member experience, and plan operations measures that CMS recalculates every October. 58 contracts achieved the top 5-star tier, which also unlocks year-round Special Enrollment rights for beneficiaries who want to switch into them.
Quality, not price, is the signal this data captures best. Medicare Advantage premiums sit on top of the standard Part B premium every enrollee already pays, and they change plan to plan and year to year, confirm any plan's current premium on the official Medicare.gov Plan Compare tool. What PlainMedicare compares for California is the CMS Star Rating, drug coverage, plan type, and supplemental benefits (dental, vision, hearing). The above-4-star average rating means the federal Quality Bonus Payment flows for participating insurers are concentrated here, which historically translates into richer extra benefits in subsequent plan years.
For shoppers in California, the practical signal from this data is that county-level plan availability varies sharply, a five-star contract sold in one county may not be offered in the neighboring county because Medicare Advantage service areas are defined at the county (FIPS) level, not the state level. Use the county list below to see exactly which contracts appear in your service area, and cross-check the star rating, drug coverage, and Special Needs Plan indicators before the October 15 – December 7 Annual Election Period closes. All figures on this page originate from CMS public-use files released for the 2026 contract year and are refreshed each plan year.
Medicare Advantage Quality in California
California offers 39,671 Medicare Advantage plans across 58 counties, giving beneficiaries a range of options beyond Original Medicare. These plans, offered by private insurers approved by CMS, typically bundle Part A (hospital), Part B (medical), and often Part D (prescription drug) coverage, many also include dental, vision, and hearing benefits not covered by Original Medicare.
With an average star rating of 4.0 out of 5, California's Medicare Advantage landscape sits above the national rated-plan average of about 3.9 stars. 58 plans have earned the highest possible 5-star rating, the top of the CMS quality scale. Many plans in California also bundle Part D drug coverage and supplemental dental, vision, and hearing benefits, look up each plan's current premium and copays on Medicare.gov before you enroll.
Counties in California
Click a county to see all Medicare Advantage plans available in your area.
Shopping in California
Service areas are county-level, so start with where you live.
- Open your county to see exactly which plans are sold in your service area, availability changes from one county to the next. All states
- Prioritise 4★+ plans on quality, then compare total cost rather than premium alone. Star ratings
- A 5-star plan can be joined almost any time of year through a special enrollment period. Top-rated plans
All figures are from CMS public-use files for the 2026 contract year. Confirm current plan details on Medicare.gov before enrolling.
Medicare Advantage Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Medicare Advantage plans in California?
California has 58 five-star rated Medicare Advantage plans out of 39,671 total plans available. The average star rating across all plans is 4.0 out of 5. Browse by county below to find top-rated plans in your area.
How do Medicare Advantage star ratings work?
CMS rates Medicare Advantage plans on a 1-to-5 star scale based on quality measures including preventive care, chronic disease management, member satisfaction, and customer service. Plans with 4+ stars are considered high quality. In California, the average rating is 4.0 stars.
How much do Medicare Advantage plans cost in California?
The average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans in California is $17.71. Premiums vary by county and plan type, many plans offer $0 premiums in exchange for network restrictions. Click a county below to see specific plan costs in your area.
How do I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan in California?
You can enroll during the Annual Election Period (October 15 – December 7) for coverage starting January 1, or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31). Visit Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact a licensed Medicare insurance agent in California. You must have Medicare Parts A and B to enroll.
What supplemental benefits do Medicare Advantage plans in California include?
Many Medicare Advantage plans in California include supplemental benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as dental, vision, hearing, fitness programs, over-the-counter drug allowances, and transportation. Benefits vary by plan, check individual plan details for specific coverage.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.