Medicare in California
Free counseling, Medigap rules and help paying costs in California.
Medicare is a federal program, so Parts A and B work the same way in California as everywhere else. What changes by state is who can buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy and when, which private plans are sold where you live, and the state programs that help with costs.
Free Medicare counseling in California
California’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). Its counselors give free, one-on-one help with enrollment, comparing plans, Medigap, and programs that lower costs. They don’t sell insurance. Read more about what a SHIP counselor can do.
Medigap if you’re under 65
People under 65 without ESRD can buy certain Medigap plans during the 6 months after Part B starts, though insurers may charge them more than 65-year-olds. People under 65 with ESRD are excluded.
Federal law only guarantees a Medigap Open Enrollment Period to people 65 and older, so state law decides what’s available before then. See Medicare under 65 on disability.
Switching Medigap plans: California's birthday rule
California's birthday rule gives you at least 60 days, starting on your birthday each year, to switch to a Medigap policy with equal or lesser benefits from any insurer, with no health questions. Your insurer must send you notice beforehand.
Every state also has the federal guaranteed issue rights, such as losing employer coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area. See Medigap guaranteed issue rights and switching Medigap plans.
Help paying Medicare costs in California
California’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) also runs the Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay your Part B premium and, for some people, deductibles and coinsurance. States may set limits higher than the federal minimums, so apply even if your income is a little over them. Qualifying for one also gets you Extra Help with drug costs automatically.
If you qualify for both Medicare and full Medi-Cal coverage, read Medicare and Medicaid together.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in California
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold by county, so the plans, premiums and networks available in one part of California can differ from another. The Medicare Plan Finder lists every plan for your ZIP code. You can change plans during Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7.
Common questions
California's State Health Insurance Assistance Program is Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), reachable at 1-800-434-0222. SHIP counselors give free, unbiased Medicare help and don't sell insurance.
People under 65 without ESRD can buy certain Medigap plans during the 6 months after Part B starts, though insurers may charge them more than 65-year-olds. People under 65 with ESRD are excluded.
California's birthday rule gives you at least 60 days, starting on your birthday each year, to switch to a Medigap policy with equal or lesser benefits from any insurer, with no health questions. Your insurer must send you notice beforehand.
Original Medicare's rules, premiums and deductibles are the same in every state (the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026). What varies is which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold in your county, state Medigap rules, and state programs that help pay costs.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), aging.ca.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- State Medigap Rules: Birthday Rule and Coverage for Under 65 (as of May 11, 2026), National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, insurance.ca.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, kff.org. Checked September 29, 2026.
- California Department of Insurance (CDI), insurance.ca.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Choosing a Medigap Policy (March 2026), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.