Health Insurance Plans in San Diego County, California (2026)
38 ACA marketplace (Obamacare) plans are available in San Diego County, CA, from 6 insurers. The cheapest plan starts at $373.20/month before subsidies.
That ranks 6th lowest of the 29 county areas we track in California, 17% below the statewide median of $449.07.
Last updated: October 10, 2026 · Source: Official Marketplace Data · How we calculate this
Looking for California as a whole? See what health insurance costs per month in California.
Covers San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon and nearby communities.
38
Plans Available
$373.20
Cheapest Plan/mo
6
Insurers
Covered California
Exchange
Health insurance in San Diego, CA
San Diego residents can choose from 38 Marketplace plans from 6 insurance companies, sold through Covered California. The cheapest a 30-year-old can buy is Bronze 60 HDHP HMO from Kaiser at $373/month before subsidies.
| Metal level | Cheapest plan | Per month | Plans offered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Bronze 60 HDHP HMO (Kaiser) | $373 | 10 |
| Silver | Silver 70 Premier HMO (SHARP Health Plan) | $421 | 9 |
| Gold | Lowest of 10 Gold plans | $483 | 10 |
Open enrollment for 2026 runs November 1 to January 31. Covered California offers free, certified enrollment help for San Diego residents. $0 and low-cost options in San Diego · All California plans
Insurers With the Cheapest Plans in San Diego
Plans Available in San Diego
Sorted by monthly premium · 30-year-old · Before subsidies
Kaiser Bronze 60 HDHP HMO
Kaiser
$373.20/mo
Ded: $7,200
Kaiser Bronze 60 HMO
Kaiser
$383.12/mo
Ded: $5,800
SHARP Health Plan Bronze 60 Performance HMO
SHARP Health Plan
$397.87/mo
Ded: $5,800
Molina Health Care Bronze 60 HMO
Molina Health Care
$398.52/mo
Ded: $5,800
Anthem Blue Cross Bronze 60 HMO
Anthem Blue Cross
$415.85/mo
Ded: $5,800
SHARP Health Plan Silver 70 Premier HMO
SHARP Health Plan
$421.45/mo
Ded: $5,200
Molina Health Care Silver 70 HMO
Molina Health Care
$434.77/mo
Ded: $5,200
Blue Shield Silver 70 Trio HMO
Blue Shield
$456.88/mo
Ded: $5,200
Average Premiums in San Diego
Avg Bronze Plan
$464/mo
10 plans
Avg Silver Plan
$525/mo
Eligible for CSR cost reductions
Deductibles & Out-of-Pocket Limits in San Diego
The premium is what you pay monthly; the deductible is what you pay before the plan starts sharing costs, and the out-of-pocket maximum is the most you can pay in a year. A cheaper premium usually means a higher deductible.
| Metal tier | Plans | Typical deductible | Deductible range | Typical out-of-pocket max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 10 | $5,800 | $5,800–$7,200 | $9,800 |
| Silver | 9 | $5,200 | $5,200 | $9,800 |
| Gold | 10 | $0 | $0 | $9,200 |
| Platinum | 9 | $0 | $0 | $5,000 |
Typical is the middle plan in each tier, not an average, since one $0-deductible variant would otherwise drag the figure below anything on offer. Silver plans can carry much lower deductibles than shown if you qualify for cost-sharing reductions. Check what you qualify for.
$0 and low-cost health insurance in San Diego County
At $23,940 a year (150% of the poverty level), the cheapest Bronze plan in San Diego County costs a 40-year-old $29 a month or less after the premium tax credit.
| Age | Income $23,940 (150% of poverty level) | Income $31,920 (200% of poverty level) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | $35 or less | $127 or less |
| 40 | $29 or less | $121 or less |
| 60 | $0 (2+ plans) | $60 or less |
Medicaid: California expanded Medicaid, so adults earning up to 138% of the poverty level ($22,025 a year for one person, $45,540 for a family of four) usually qualify, and can apply any time of year.
California adds its own help: California Premium Subsidy. Who qualifies
2026 premiums in San Diego County, scaled by age with the CMS age curve; the credit uses the 2026 IRS percentages. "Or less" and "+" are because the credit is based on the second-cheapest Silver plan and only the cheapest plans are counted, both of which can only make the real figure better. Federal credit only, non-smokers. Income limits · Calculate your own credit
Nearby Counties in California
All Counties in California
More California Health Insurance Guides
Health Insurance in California
Compare California's lowest-premium plans. See how San Diego's $373.20/mo starting premium compares to the statewide picture.
View statewide plans Get a QuoteSee Your Actual Price
Enter your ZIP, age, and income for San Diego to see subsidy-adjusted prices.
Compare plansFrequently asked questions about ACA insurance in California
How much does health insurance cost in San Diego?
Before subsidies, the cheapest plans in San Diego for a 30-year-old cost $373 a month for Bronze, $421 a month for Silver, and $483 a month for Gold (2026 rates). The premium tax credit lowers that for households earning 100% to 400% of the poverty level, and older adults pay more: premiums rise with age.
What is the cheapest health insurance in San Diego?
The cheapest Marketplace plan a 30-year-old can buy in San Diego is Bronze 60 HDHP HMO from Kaiser, a Bronze HMO plan at $373 a month before subsidies (2026 rates). Adults earning up to 138% of the poverty level usually qualify for Medicaid in California instead.
How many health insurance companies sell plans in San Diego?
6 insurance companies sell 38 Marketplace plans in San Diego through Covered California, including Kaiser, SHARP Health Plan, Molina Health Care, Anthem Blue Cross.
When can I sign up for health insurance in San Diego?
Open enrollment for 2026 coverage in California runs from November 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026, through Covered California. Enroll by December 31 for coverage that starts January 1. Outside that window you need a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage or moving, to enroll.
What is the health insurance marketplace in California?
The California (CA) health insurance marketplace is Covered California (https://www.coveredca.com/), a state-based ACA exchange where residents compare and enroll in qualified health plans. Policymage lists 38 plans with live premium data. Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 31.
How do I compare health insurance plans in California?
Use policymage.com/get-quotes: enter your ZIP code, household ages, and income. Policymage fetches ACA Marketplace plans for your county, calculates APTC subsidies, and lets you compare up to 4 plans side-by-side on premium, deductible, network, and benefits. Free, no account, no broker bias. Plans in California start from $373.2/month before subsidies.
Which Medicaid plan is best in California?
There is no single "best" Medicaid plan in California. Medicaid is administered through MCOs such as Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente. The right plan depends on your county, doctors, and prescriptions. Medicaid (income up to 138% FPL, ~$22,025/year for an individual) is separate from ACA Marketplace plans at Covered California. Apply year-round through your state Medicaid office.
Is short-term health insurance available in California?
Short-term health insurance is sold outside the ACA Marketplace in California by private insurers. These plans are not ACA-compliant: they can exclude pre-existing conditions, skip Essential Health Benefits, and lack guaranteed renewal. For comprehensive coverage with subsidies, enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan at Covered California during Open Enrollment (November 1 to January 31). See policymage.com/faq for more on short-term vs ACA plans.
How much is health insurance in CA?
Health insurance in CA starts as low as $373.2/month for a 30-year-old on a Bronze plan before subsidies. Most California residents who qualify for APTC pay significantly less. For a 40-year-old, the cheapest Bronze plan comes to $36 or less a month at $23,940 a year (150% of the poverty line) and $233 or less a month at $39,900 a year (250% of the poverty line) after the tax credit.
What is the cheapest health insurance option in CA for 2027?
The cheapest ACA option in CA for 2027 is typically a Bronze-tier plan or, for residents under 30, a catastrophic plan. Both carry the lowest monthly premium in exchange for a higher deductible. Compare exact California plans and prices at policymage.com/get-quotes.
How do I get health insurance in California?
To get health insurance in California, enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan through Covered California during Open Enrollment, which runs November 1 through January 31. Plans start at $373.2/month before subsidies. You need your ZIP code, household size, and estimated annual income to apply. Outside Open Enrollment you need a Qualifying Life Event (job loss, marriage, birth, or a move) to enrol through a Special Enrollment Period.
What is the best health insurance in California?
There is no single best health insurance plan in California; total annual cost depends on your doctors, prescriptions, and how much care you use. Policymage does not recommend plans. It lets you compare 38 California plans on premium, deductible, network, and quality rating. Total annual cost is the premium × 12 plus your expected deductible and copays. Cost-Sharing Reductions lower deductibles and copays for incomes between 100% and 250% FPL, and apply only to Silver plans.
How much is health insurance in California per month?
Health insurance in California starts at $373.2 per month for a Bronze plan for a 30-year-old, before subsidies. Most residents who qualify for APTC tax credits pay considerably less. For a 40-year-old, the cheapest Bronze plan comes to $36 or less a month at $23,940 a year (150% of the poverty line) and $233 or less a month at $39,900 a year (250% of the poverty line) after the tax credit. Your exact monthly cost depends on age, county, household size, and tobacco use.
Is ACA health insurance available in California?
Yes. ACA Marketplace plans are sold in every county of California through its own exchange, Covered California. Near the state's largest city there are 38 plans to compare, starting at $373.2 a month before subsidies. Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 31; outside it you need a Qualifying Life Event.
How do I get free health insurance in California?
Free or near-free coverage in California comes from two routes. Medicaid covers adults earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $22,025/year for an individual), and you can apply year-round. Above that, APTC subsidies bring many Bronze Marketplace plans to $0/month for California residents on lower incomes.
When does Open Enrollment end in California for ACA plans?
Open Enrollment for California residents runs from November 1 through January 31. California runs its own exchange (Covered California), which set the January 31 deadline. Outside Open Enrollment, you need a Qualifying Life Event to enroll in a Special Enrollment Period.
How much does health insurance cost in California?
Health insurance in California starts as low as $373.2/month for a 30-year-old on a Bronze plan before subsidies. For a 40-year-old, the cheapest Bronze plan comes to $36 or less a month at $23,940 a year (150% of the poverty line) and $233 or less a month at $39,900 a year (250% of the poverty line) after the tax credit. Costs vary by age, county, tobacco use, and household size.
Does California use HealthCare.gov or its own state exchange?
California runs its own state-based Marketplace called Covered California (https://www.coveredca.com/). You enroll there directly, not at HealthCare.gov. Plan offerings, enrollment dates, and customer support are managed by California, not the federal government.
Has California expanded Medicaid under the ACA?
Yes. California has expanded Medicaid, so adults with household income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $22,025/year for an individual) qualify for free or very low-cost Medicaid. There's no Open Enrollment window; you can apply year-round.
What are the income limits for ACA subsidies in California?
Premium tax credits cover household income from 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level: about $15,960 to $63,840 a year for an individual, or $33,000 to $132,000 for a family of 4. Below 138% FPL most adults qualify for Medicaid instead. Above 400% FPL there is no credit in 2027: the enhanced rules that removed that limit expired after 2025. Use the Covered California subsidy calculator for your exact estimate.
Does California have its own health insurance subsidy?
Yes. California Premium Subsidy: Covered California adds a state subsidy on top of the federal credit for households that qualify by income and also qualify for the federal premium tax credit. This is in addition to the federal premium tax credit.
What are the metal tiers in California (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)?
California ACA plans come in four metal tiers based on actuarial value (the percentage of medical costs the plan covers on average): Bronze (~60%), Silver (~70%), Gold (~80%), and Platinum (~90%). Bronze has the lowest premium and highest deductible; Platinum has the highest premium and lowest deductible. Silver is the "benchmark" tier used to calculate APTC subsidies, and it's the only tier eligible for Cost-Sharing Reductions if you qualify by income.
Are HSA-eligible plans available in California?
Yes. HSA-eligible High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are available in California through Covered California. For 2026, HDHPs must have a deductible of at least $1,700 (individual) or $3,400 (family), and you can contribute up to $4,400 (individual) or $8,750 (family) to your HSA pre-tax. HSA contributions roll over year-to-year and can be invested.
Do California ACA plans cover dental and vision?
California ACA Marketplace plans for adults include preventive care, mental health, prescriptions, hospitalization, and the 10 Essential Health Benefits, but adult dental and vision are not federally required. Most California plans cover pediatric dental and vision automatically. For adult dental/vision, you typically buy a separate standalone plan through Covered California or directly from an insurer.
What is a Qualifying Life Event for Special Enrollment in California?
Outside Open Enrollment, California residents can enroll in or change ACA plans within 60 days of a Qualifying Life Event: loss of other health coverage, marriage or divorce, birth or adoption of a child, moving to a new county or state, a change in income that affects subsidy eligibility, becoming a US citizen, or release from incarceration. Have documentation ready when applying through Covered California.
How do I find in-network doctors and hospitals in California?
Each California ACA plan has its own provider network. Before enrolling, look up the plan on Covered California, click the carrier name to access their provider directory, and search for your specific doctors and preferred hospitals by name. Out-of-network care typically isn't covered (HMO plans) or costs significantly more (PPO plans). Out-of-network costs can exceed the premium difference between plans.
Compare Plans in San Diego
Enter your ZIP code, age, and income to see all plans available to you, with your actual subsidy applied, or see how San Diego compares to the California state average.
Free · No account required · No broker fees
Plans shown based on input. Not insurance advice. Policymage is not a licensed broker or agent.