Best Medicare Advantage Plans in California for 2027

Best Medicare Advantage Plans in California for 2027

California has 394 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, according to CMS, down from 402 in 2026. About 3.76 million Californians, or roughly 51% of the state’s Medicare beneficiaries, are in Medicare Advantage.

The short answer: Kaiser Permanente is the top-rated large Medicare Advantage carrier in California for 2027, with 4.5 stars and the highest J.D. Power satisfaction score in the state. Clever Care and Alignment Health’s PPO also earned 4.5 stars, and Humana jumped to 4 stars. No California plan earned 5 stars for 2027.

Open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.

California Medicare Advantage at a Glance for 2027

• Plans available: 394 Medicare Advantage plans (402 in 2026), including special needs plans. About 259 are open to anyone with Medicare.
• Average monthly premium: $14.12, up slightly from $13.77 in 2026.
• $0 premium plans: 99.6% of Californians with Medicare can choose a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan.
• Stand-alone Part D plans: 10, with premiums starting at $5.30 a month.
• Fewer PPOs: PPO plans open to everyone fell from 27 to 16 for 2027, so check your options if you have a PPO.
• Out-of-pocket limit: no Medicare Advantage plan can make you pay more than $9,850 in-network in 2027.

2027 Star Ratings for California’s Largest Medicare Advantage Carriers

Sources: CMS 2027 Star Ratings data (October 8, 2026); market share calculated from CMS Medicare Advantage enrollment by contract, October 2026.

Best Medicare Advantage Companies in California for 2027

Kaiser Permanente: Best overall

Kaiser Permanente covers about 41% of California’s Medicare Advantage members. Its main contract (H0524) holds 4.5 stars for 2027 in 31 counties, and Kaiser ranked highest in California in J.D. Power’s 2026 Medicare Advantage Study with a score of 665. Kaiser’s HMO model puts doctors, hospitals and pharmacies in one system, so you generally need to get care inside Kaiser’s network. See our Kaiser Permanente review.

SCAN Health Plan: Best nonprofit option for Southern and Central California

SCAN, a California nonprofit, is the state’s second-largest Medicare Advantage carrier. Its main contract holds 4 stars for 2027 in 20 counties, and SCAN is adding Sonoma County for 2027.

Alignment Health Plan: Best for PPO members in the Central Valley

Alignment has three California contracts. Its PPO (H4961, in San Joaquin, Santa Cruz and Stanislaus counties) rose to 4.5 stars, while its main HMO (H3815) slipped from 4 to 3.5. Alignment is expanding into Kern, Kings and Tulare counties for 2027.

Clever Care Health Plan: Best for Southern California HMO members

Clever Care (H7607), available in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties, rose from 4 to 4.5 stars for 2027.

Humana: Most improved

Humana’s California HMO jumped from 3 to 4 stars and its PPO from 3.5 to 4 for 2027. Nationally, Humana says 95% of its Medicare Advantage members are in 4-star or higher plans for 2027. See our Humana review.

Blue Shield of California: Best for steady ratings

Blue Shield of California, a nonprofit, kept 4 stars on its main contract (H0504). It’s adding Placer and Sacramento counties for 2027.

UnitedHealthcare: Know the 2027 drop

UnitedHealthcare’s main California contract (H0543) fell from 4 to 3 stars for 2027, and UHC is leaving Contra Costa, Lake, Mendocino and Santa Clara counties. If you’re a UHC member, compare its plans with higher-rated options in your county. See our UnitedHealthcare review.

Anthem Blue Cross: Improved, but leaving some counties

Anthem Blue Cross rose from 3 to 3.5 stars on its main contract. It’s leaving Alameda, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Santa Clara and Yolo counties for 2027. See our Anthem review.

Health Net and Wellcare

Health Net’s Wellcare contract (H0562) holds 3.5 stars. Health Net is leaving Amador, Ventura and Yolo counties. See our Wellcare review.

Plans Leaving California for 2027

• Sharp Health Plan is leaving the individual Medicare Advantage market in San Diego County.
• Central Health Plan (Molina) is ending its regular Medicare Advantage plans and keeping only special needs plans.
• Aetna no longer offers a PPO in 10 California counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and San Francisco, and is leaving San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
• Providence is leaving Orange County.

If your plan isn’t renewing, you’ll get a special enrollment period, and you may have the right to buy a Medigap plan without health questions. See what to do if your Medicare Advantage plan is leaving.

Medigap in California: The Birthday Rule

California gives Medigap policyholders an extra right each year. Within 60 days after your birthday, you can switch to a Medigap plan with the same or fewer benefits without answering health questions, according to the California Department of Insurance. Compare California Medicare Supplement plans.

Free Help in California

HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Call 1-800-434-0222 or visit the California Department of Aging’s Medicare counseling page. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Medicare Advantage plan in California for 2027?

Kaiser Permanente is the top-rated large carrier, with 4.5 stars and the highest J.D. Power satisfaction score in California. Clever Care and Alignment’s PPO also have 4.5 stars. The best plan for you depends on your county, doctors and drugs.

How many Medicare Advantage plans are in California for 2027?

California has 394 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, down from 402 in 2026, according to CMS. About 259 are open to anyone with Medicare.

Does California have any 5-star Medicare Advantage plans for 2027?

No. No Medicare Advantage contract in California earned 5 stars for 2027. Kaiser Permanente, Clever Care and Alignment’s PPO earned 4.5 stars.

What is the average Medicare Advantage premium in California?

The average monthly Medicare Advantage premium in California is $14.12 for 2027, and 99.6% of people with Medicare can choose a $0-premium plan.

What is the California Medigap birthday rule?

Each year, within 60 days after your birthday, you can switch to a Medigap plan with the same or fewer benefits without health questions.

Sources

• CMS, 2027 Medicare Open Enrollment State Fact Sheets (September 28, 2026)
• CMS, Part C and D Performance Data (2027 Star Ratings)
• J.D. Power, 2026 U.S. Medicare Advantage Study
• California Department of Insurance, Medigap Birthday Rule
• California Department of Aging, HICAP

For national comparisons, see our best Medicare Advantage companies for 2027 and our California Medicare Advantage guide. For one-on-one help, talk with a licensed Medicare agent.