Health insurance help for California residents
Compare Medicare, health insurance marketplace plans and Medicaid in California, with a guide for every county and each major city, reviewed by a licensed agent.
- Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed agent (NPN 21255551)
- No cost to call
- No obligation to enroll
Medicaid is a government program that gives free or low-cost health coverage to people with limited income, such as some adults, children, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities. Each state runs its own Medicaid program and decides who qualifies. We are an independent insurance agency, and we cannot enroll you in Medicaid or check your Medicaid.
California Medicaid: California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) · 1-800-541-5555 (Medi-Cal (Department of Health Care Services)) · dhcs.ca.gov
If your income is too high for Medicaid, or you want to compare health plans, call us. We can help with that.
Is your Medicare plan leaving in 2027?
78 Medicare plans are leaving at least one California county for 2027. Look up your county to see which plans, and compare options before October 15th.
What is different about coverage in California
California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) is run by the Department of Health Care Services, and California runs its own state-based ACA marketplace, Covered California, instead of the federal HealthCare.gov site. California Health Insurance is free to use for California callers working through Medicare, ACA, life, or supplemental coverage questions.
- California Medicaid, called Medi-Cal, is administered by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) -- DHCS is the right place to start if your Medi-Cal eligibility changed.
- California runs its own ACA marketplace, Covered California, instead of the federal HealthCare.gov site -- California-specific enrollment windows and plan options are managed there directly.
- Free Medicare counseling is available in California through HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program), California's State Health Insurance Assistance Program, at 800-434-0222, separate from California Health Insurance's own free phone help.
Worth knowing: California health plans are regulated by two different state agencies depending on plan type -- the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) oversees most Covered California health plans, while the Department of Insurance (CDI) regulates the rest, including most life and supplemental products.
Coverage questions we help California residents with
Health plans (ACA marketplace)
How California’s marketplace works, who qualifies for help with costs, and when you can enroll.
Medicare
Turning 65, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and drug plans, with California’s free counseling program.
Medicaid
Where to apply in California, and what to do when your coverage changes.
California by county
Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace premiums are set county by county, so the plans open to you depend on where in California you live. Start with your county.
Major California cities
California colleges and universities
- University of California system
- California State University system
- UCLA
- UC Berkeley
- San Diego State University
- California Community Colleges
State bird: California Quail
Callipepla californica. California’s official state bird, shown here as a local touch.
Photo: Charles J. Sharp (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia CommonsCommon California questions
Where do I shop for ACA health plans in California?
California residents shop through Covered California (https://www.coveredca.com). An independent agent such as Lander LLC can explain the plans for you, but the marketplace is the only place premium tax credits are applied.
How do I apply for Medicaid in California?
Medicaid in California is run through California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) (https://www.dhcs.ca.gov). Eligibility depends on income, household size and other factors, and it is decided by the state, not by an insurance agency.
Who regulates insurance in California?
California Department of Insurance (CDI) (https://www.insurance.ca.gov) regulates insurance companies and agents in California. You can use it to check that an agent or company is licensed and to file a complaint.
Is there free, unbiased Medicare help in California?
Yes. California HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) (800-434-0222) offers free Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), separate from any insurance agency.
Does California Health Insurance cost anything to use?
There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent. Insurance premiums and plan costs are set by the insurance companies and are separate from our help.
Talk with a licensed agent about California coverage
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095 Open 8 AM-10 PM Eastern timeReviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.