Does California use HealthCare.gov?

No. California runs its own state-based Marketplace called Covered California. Californians enroll at coveredca.com instead of HealthCare.gov. Covered California has been operating since 2014 and is one of the largest and most successful state-based exchanges in the country.

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. It is free or low-cost coverage for eligible Californians. California expanded Medi-Cal under the ACA, and as of 2024 has extended full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible Californians regardless of immigration status — a unique policy in the country. Adults up to 138% FPL qualify.

What is California's state subsidy program?

California adds state-level subsidies on top of the federal Premium Tax Credit through the California Premium Subsidy program. This makes Covered California plans more affordable for middle-income enrollees. California also caps maximum premiums as a percentage of income — one of the more generous state add-ons.

What insurance companies sell Obamacare plans in California?

The major carriers on Covered California for 2026 include Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross, Health Net, L.A. Care Health Plan, Sharp Health Plan (San Diego), Western Health Advantage (Sacramento), Molina Healthcare, Oscar Health, and Valley Health Plan. Kaiser is dominant in many regions, Blue Shield and Anthem have broad statewide networks.

Can undocumented immigrants get coverage in California?

Yes. California is the first state to extend full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible residents regardless of immigration status. As of January 2024, all income-eligible undocumented adults qualify for Medi-Cal in California. This does not extend to Covered California Marketplace plans, but Medi-Cal covers a similar set of benefits at no or very low cost.

When is Open Enrollment in California?

Covered California has historically extended Open Enrollment beyond the federal calendar. For 2026 coverage, Covered California Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026. Medi-Cal accepts applications year-round, with no Open Enrollment window required.

Obamacare California 2026: Covered California Plans & Costs Guide

Q: How many Californians have Obamacare or Medi-Cal?

California has the most public health coverage enrollment in the country. About 1.7 million Californians were enrolled in Covered California Marketplace plans for 2024, plus roughly 15 million in Medi-Cal. Hispanic enrollment is especially strong in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Fresno, and Imperial counties.

Q: How much does Obamacare cost in California?

After federal and state subsidies, most Covered California enrollees receive substantial help — roughly 90% qualify for the federal Premium Tax Credit. Lower-income Californians often pay $0 or near-$0 per month after subsidies, helped by California's own state premium subsidy on top of the federal credit. Note that the federal enhanced subsidies expired at the end of 2025, so for 2026 the 400% FPL cliff is back for the federal credit — though California's state subsidy still extends some help above that line. Gross premiums also vary by region (Northern California tends higher than Southern). The calculator above runs the 2026 math for your specific situation.

Obamacare in California explained: Covered California plans, Medi-Cal, top carriers, real costs with subsidies, Hispanic enrollment in LA, Bay Area, Central Valley.

Last updated: May 11, 2026 Reviewed by: Nexus Insurance compliance team

Important — Medi-Cal: Nexus Insurance does not enroll consumers in Medi-Cal. For Medi-Cal applications, contact Covered California directly or work with a Certified Enrollment Counselor or a Medi-Cal eligibility worker at your county office. Covered California Marketplace plans (the focus of this page) and Medi-Cal are separate programs.

California has more people in public health coverage than any other state. About 1.7 million Californians were enrolled in Covered California Marketplace plans for 2024, plus roughly 15 million in Medi-Cal (the state’s Medicaid program). For Hispanic and immigrant families, California is one of the most accessible states in the country to enroll — including, as of 2024, full Medi-Cal eligibility regardless of immigration status.

If you live in California — Los Angeles, San Diego, the Bay Area, the Central Valley, Inland Empire, or anywhere in between — this guide explains what programs are available, what they cost, and how to enroll.

How Obamacare works in California

California runs its own state Marketplace at Covered California. Operating since 2014, it is one of the largest and most successful state-based exchanges in the country.

The basic flow:

Enter your zip code, household size, and estimated 2026 income at CoveredCA.com or with a licensed agent.
The site checks Medi-Cal first. If you do not qualify, it shows Covered California plans with both federal and state subsidies applied.
Compare plans by premium, deductible, network, and the carriers in your region.
Pick one and enroll. Coverage starts the first of the next month.

California expanded Medi-Cal under the ACA — and went further. As of January 2024, all income-eligible Californians qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status. This is unique in the country.

California is the most expansive coverage state. Talk to a licensed California agent — free, Spanish available.

California Premium Subsidy — extra state help

In addition to the federal Premium Tax Credit, California funds its own state-level subsidies called the California Premium Subsidy. This program:

Caps the premium percentage that enrollees pay based on income
Helps middle-income Californians who would otherwise see smaller federal subsidies
Automatically applies when you enroll through Covered California
Has fluctuated in size depending on state budget decisions

The California Premium Subsidy stacks on top of the federal credit and can reduce monthly premiums further for eligible middle-income households. The calculator above shows the federal component; a licensed Covered California agent can layer in the current state subsidy for your specific income and household.

Hispanic enrollment in California

California has the largest Hispanic population of any state — both in raw numbers (about 15.7 million) and as a percentage (~40%). The Mexican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and other Latin American communities are concentrated in:

Los Angeles County (~49% Hispanic) — Mexican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan
San Bernardino & Riverside Counties / Inland Empire (~52% Hispanic combined) — Mexican
Fresno, Kern, Tulare Counties / Central Valley (~50%+ Hispanic) — Mexican
Imperial County (~85% Hispanic) — Mexican border region
San Diego County (~35% Hispanic) — Mexican
Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa / Bay Area — diverse Latino communities

Spanish-language enrollment assistance is widely available through Covered California Certified Enrollment Counselors (CECs), licensed agents, FQHCs, and community organizations like CHIRLA, MALDEF, and various promotores networks.

Top carriers in California (2026)

The major insurance companies on Covered California for 2026 include:

Kaiser Permanente — dominant in many California regions, integrated care model
Blue Shield of California — broad statewide network
Anthem Blue Cross — broad statewide network
Health Net — strong in Southern California
L.A. Care Health Plan — Los Angeles County specific
Sharp Health Plan — San Diego County
Western Health Advantage — Sacramento region
Molina Healthcare — Inland Empire and other regions
Oscar Health — selective California regions
Valley Health Plan — Santa Clara County

Carrier mix varies by region. Most California counties have at least 4 to 6 carriers competing.

How much does Obamacare cost in California?

Real numbers from Covered California and KFF:

Roughly 90% of Covered California enrollees receive the federal Premium Tax Credit. Lower-income Californians often pay $0 or near-$0 after subsidies, helped by California’s state premium subsidy stacked on top of the federal credit.
Important for 2026: the federal enhanced subsidies expired December 31, 2025, restoring the 400% FPL cliff for the federal credit. California’s state subsidy still extends some help to middle-income enrollees above that line — a Covered California advantage over federal-Marketplace states.

Run the calculator for your number

The actual subsidy depends on your age, household size, household income, and ZIP-county. The calculator at the top of the page runs the 2026 IRS formula (Rev. Proc. 2025-25, post-IRA expiration) and produces an estimate in seconds. A licensed California agent verifies the exact number for your real plan and county — and layers in the Covered California state subsidy — in about 15 minutes, free, Spanish available where noted.

Get your real California number. Free quote from a licensed agent.

Medi-Cal — California’s Medicaid

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. As of 2024, California extended full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible residents regardless of immigration status:

Adults up to 138% FPL qualify with no asset test
Pregnant women up to 213% FPL
Children up to 266% FPL (Medi-Cal) or higher (Medi-Cal access for low-income kids)
All income-eligible adults regardless of immigration status — unique nationally
People with disabilities have additional eligibility pathways

Medi-Cal is free or near-free for most enrollees and covers essentially the same comprehensive set of benefits as Marketplace plans.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in California

California has one of the largest FQHC networks in the country. Major networks include:

AltaMed Health Services (Los Angeles, Orange County)
Clinica Sierra Vista (Central Valley)
Salud Para La Gente (Watsonville)
La Clinica de La Raza (Bay Area)
Family Health Centers of San Diego
South Central Family Health Center (Los Angeles)
Petaluma Health Center (North Bay)
Borrego Health (Inland Empire / Imperial County)

Search the HRSA Find a Health Center tool for FQHCs near your zip code.

Immigrant eligibility in California

California has the most expansive coverage options for immigrants of any state:

Lawfully present immigrants qualify for Covered California plans and federal + state subsidies from day one.
DACA recipients qualify for Covered California.
All income-eligible adults regardless of immigration status qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal — unique nationally.
All income-eligible children qualify for Medi-Cal regardless of status.
Mixed-status families apply together — only eligible members are enrolled.

Covered California and Medi-Cal do not share immigration information with ICE. Federal and state law protect this.

If you do not have a Social Security Number but are lawfully present, you can still apply using your immigration document numbers. Read our guide on applying without an SSN.

When to enroll in California

Covered California extends Open Enrollment beyond the federal calendar:

Open Enrollment 2026: November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026
Medi-Cal: Year-round, no Open Enrollment window required
Special Enrollment Periods available year-round for qualifying life events

Qualifying life events: loss of other coverage, marriage, birth or adoption, moving zip codes, US citizenship, significant income change.

How to apply for Obamacare in California

Four routes:

Covered California directly at coveredca.com — free, official, English/Spanish/Chinese/Vietnamese/Korean and more
A licensed agent or broker — free to you, paid by the insurer, what Nexus Insurance provides
A Certified Enrollment Counselor (CEC) — non-commercial, available in every county
In-person at a Covered California enrollment site

What you need:

Names, dates of birth, and SSNs (or immigration document numbers) for everyone applying — note that Medi-Cal does not require legal status
Estimated 2026 household income
Information about any current insurance
Employer information if anyone has a job offer of coverage

Ready to enroll? Get a free quote from a California licensed agent. Spanish available.

Common California-specific questions

“I am undocumented — can I really get Medi-Cal?” Yes, if you are income-eligible. As of January 2024, full-scope Medi-Cal is available to all income-eligible California residents regardless of immigration status. Application is at the county social services office or through Covered California.

“I am self-employed — can I get Covered California?” Yes. The Marketplace uses estimated annual income. Self-employed, freelancers, gig workers, and contractors all qualify. The California Premium Subsidy makes middle-income coverage more affordable.

“My employer offers insurance but it is too expensive.” If your employer’s self-only plan would cost more than 9.96% of your household income in 2026, you may qualify for a Covered California subsidy instead.

“I have a pre-existing condition.” Cannot be used against you. Federal law since 2014.

Cross-references

Last updated: May 12, 2026.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Insurance products vary by state and individual circumstances. Always speak with a licensed insurance agent for guidance specific to your situation. Nexus Insurance partners with US-licensed agents serving California residents in English and Spanish. Contact us for a free quote.