California Health Insurance Calculator 2026

California operates its own state-based health insurance exchange, Covered California. This means California residents enroll in ACA marketplace plans through the state exchange rather than the federal HealthCare.gov website. State-run exchanges sometimes offer additional plan options and may have different open enrollment dates than the federal marketplace.

Medicaid in California

California has expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. This means adults with household income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $20,783 for a single person in 2025) may qualify for Medicaid coverage with little or no premium cost. If your income is above this threshold, you can check for ACA marketplace subsidies using the calculator above.

Premium Subsidies in California

ACA premium tax credits are available to California residents with household income between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. The subsidy amount is based on the cost of the benchmark Silver plan in your area minus your expected contribution (a percentage of your income). You can apply subsidies in advance to lower your monthly premium or claim them when you file your federal tax return.

The actual premiums and plan options available in California vary by county and rating area. Factors that affect your premium include age, tobacco use, household size, and zip code. Use the calculator above for a general estimate, then check Covered California for exact plan pricing in your area.