Major Health Insurance Companies in California
California’s health insurance market is dominated by a small group of large insurers that operate across public programs, Covered California, and private employer plans.
Major Health Insurance Companies by Market Share
The following companies are considered major insurers in California due to enrollment size, statewide presence, and provider networks:
- Kaiser Permanente
- Blue Shield of California
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Health Net
- UnitedHealthcare
- Molina Healthcare
- LA Care Health Plan
Kaiser Permanente is the largest health insurance provider in California, especially dominant in employer sponsored insurance, Covered California, and Medicare Advantage.
Public vs Private Health Insurance Cost Comparison Table
Average Monthly Premium Costs in California
| Insurance Type | Plan Example | Monthly Premium | Deductible | Out of Pocket Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medi Cal (Public) | LA Care Medi Cal | $0 | $0 | Very Low |
| Medi Cal (Public) | Molina Medi Cal | $0 | $0 | Very Low |
| Covered California Silver | Blue Shield Silver 70 PPO | $50 to $300 (after subsidy) | $1,000 to $3,500 | $8,700 |
| Covered California Bronze | Kaiser Bronze 60 HMO | $300 to $450 | $6,300 | $9,100 |
| Employer PPO (Private) | Anthem PPO | $150 to $600 (employee share) | $1,500 to $3,000 | $7,500 |
| Private Individual PPO | Blue Shield PPO Off Exchange | $450 to $900 | $2,500 to $6,000 | $9,100 |
Costs vary by age, county, and income level.
Public Health Insurance Providers and Costs
Medi Cal Insurance Companies and Costs
| Insurance Company | Monthly Cost | Copays | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| LA Care Health Plan | $0 | $0 to low | Low income families |
| Molina Healthcare | $0 | $0 to low | Chronic care needs |
| Health Net Medi Cal | $0 | Minimal | Broad county access |
| Anthem Blue Cross Medi Cal | $0 | Minimal | Large provider network |
| Kaiser Permanente Medi Cal | $0 | Minimal | Integrated care model |
Major Medi Cal provider: LA Care Health Plan
LA Care is the largest publicly operated health plan in the United States, serving millions in California.
Covered California Insurance Companies and Plan Costs
Covered California Plan Cost Comparison
| Insurance Company | Bronze Plan | Silver Plan | Gold Plan | Network Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | $320 to $450 | $380 to $520 | $450 to $650 | HMO |
| Blue Shield of California | $350 to $500 | $420 to $600 | $520 to $720 | PPO |
| Anthem Blue Cross | $340 to $480 | $410 to $590 | $510 to $700 | PPO |
| Health Net | $310 to $460 | $390 to $560 | $480 to $680 | HMO PPO |
| Oscar Health | $300 to $430 | $370 to $520 | Limited | EPO |
Major Covered California insurers:
Kaiser Permanente and Blue Shield of California lead enrollment statewide.
Private Employer Health Insurance Companies and Costs
Employer Sponsored Insurance Cost Table
| Insurance Company | Plan Type | Monthly Employee Cost | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | HMO | $150 to $350 | Closed network |
| Anthem Blue Cross | PPO | $200 to $600 | Large national |
| Blue Shield of California | PPO | $180 to $550 | Strong CA network |
| UnitedHealthcare | PPO | $200 to $580 | National |
| Aetna | PPO HDHP | $170 to $500 | National |
Major employer insurer: Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser dominates large employers and public sector jobs in California.
Medicare Insurance Companies and Costs in California
| Insurance Company | Plan Type | Monthly Cost | Major Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare | Advantage HMO | $0 to $50 | Integrated care |
| SCAN Health Plan | Advantage HMO | $0 | Senior focused |
| UnitedHealthcare | Advantage PPO | $0 to $80 | National access |
| Humana | Advantage | $0 | Extra benefits |
| Anthem Blue Cross | Advantage PPO | $0 to $70 | Large network |
Major Medicare insurer: Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare
Which Health Insurance Company Is Best in California
Best Overall Health Insurance Company
Kaiser Permanente
Best for affordability, preventive care, and coordinated treatment.
Best PPO Insurance Company
Blue Shield of California
Best for flexibility and specialist access.
Best Low Cost Public Insurance
Medi Cal through LA Care or Molina
Best for low income residents.
Best for Seniors
Kaiser Permanente Medicare or SCAN Health Plan
Summary: Public vs Private Insurance Companies in California
| Category | Public Insurance | Private Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Major Companies | LA Care, Molina, Health Net | Kaiser, Blue Shield, Anthem |
| Monthly Cost | $0 to low | $150 to $900 |
| Provider Choice | Limited | Broad |
| Best For | Low income residents | Employed and high income |
| Largest Insurer | LA Care (public) | Kaiser Permanente (private) |