How to Pick the Best Covered California Plan
Subsidies, metal tiers, HMO vs PPO, and the right plan for your doctors and budget... the exact conversation our licensed agents have with every client, in about 5 minutes. No cost, same price as going direct, and we never cold-call you.
Covered California, made simple
It really comes down to three decisions. We'll walk through each one.
Your household & income
This decides how much financial help you get... often the biggest factor in your real cost.
A metal tier
Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum... how you split costs between premium and out-of-pocket.
A carrier & network
HMO or PPO, and whether your doctors and medications are covered.
Rather watch than read?
New to all of this, or just short on time? Here's Covered California explained in a few minutes.
What counts as your "household" and "income"?
These two trip up almost everyone, and they drive your entire result. Here's the plain-English version:
Household = your tax family
Everyone you file together with on one 1040 tax return... you, your spouse if you file jointly, and anyone you claim as a dependent. Include them even if some already have other coverage. It is not just who's applying.
Income = THIS year's estimate
Your best estimate of total household income for the year you'll be covered... not last year's taxes. Self-employed, commission, or variable income? Estimate carefully. We help you nail it.
How much help can you get?
Most Californians qualify for some kind of financial help. Rather than throw percentages at you, here's what it looks like in real dollars for the two most common households.
👤 Single person (per year)
Under ~$22,000: likely Medi-Cal (free / very low cost)
~$22,000 to $39,900: strongest help + Enhanced Silver
~$39,900 to $63,840: premium subsidies
Over ~$63,840: full price in 2027
👪 Family of four (per year)
Under ~$45,500: adults likely Medi-Cal
~$45,500 to $82,500: strongest help + Enhanced Silver
~$82,500 to $132,000: premium subsidies
Over ~$132,000: full price in 2027
| Household size | Medi-Cal (adults) | Silver 94 | Silver 87 | Silver 73 | Medi-Cal (kids 0-18) | Subsidies (400%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | up to $22,025 | up to $23,940 | up to $31,920 | up to $39,900 | up to $42,454 | up to $63,840 |
| 2 people | up to $29,864 | up to $32,460 | up to $43,280 | up to $54,100 | up to $57,563 | up to $86,560 |
| 3 people | up to $37,702 | up to $40,980 | up to $54,640 | up to $68,300 | up to $72,672 | up to $109,280 |
| 4 people | up to $45,540 | up to $49,500 | up to $66,000 | up to $82,500 | up to $87,780 | up to $132,000 |
| 5 people | up to $53,379 | up to $58,020 | up to $77,360 | up to $96,700 | up to $102,889 | up to $154,720 |
| 6 people | up to $61,217 | up to $66,540 | up to $88,720 | up to $110,900 | up to $117,998 | up to $177,440 |
| 7 people | up to $69,056 | up to $75,060 | up to $100,080 | up to $125,100 | up to $133,107 | up to $200,160 |
| 8 people | up to $76,894 | up to $83,580 | up to $111,440 | up to $139,300 | up to $148,216 | up to $222,880 |
| Each additional | +$7,839 | +$8,520 | +$11,360 | +$14,200 | +$15,109 | +$22,720 |
Annual household income (your best estimate for the coverage year). Medi-Cal is free or very low cost. Silver 94 / 87 / 73 are the Enhanced Silver plans... the lower your income within that range, the richer the cost-sharing (Silver 94 is the best). Note the kids cutoff runs far higher than the adult one, so children often qualify for Medi-Cal while parents are on a Covered California plan. Above the Subsidies (400%) column you pay full price in 2027. Figures from the official 2027 chart. Full income chart →
Still have questions?
Rather watch than read? Here are the most common Covered California questions, answered.
The catch with "free" Medi-Cal: the network
Medi-Cal costs little or nothing, which is great. But its doctor and hospital networks are much smaller than a Covered California plan's. Some specialists and hospitals simply don't take it.
About estimating your income
Because your credit is based on an estimate, it's squared up on your tax return the next year. It works both directions, which is fair:
Underestimated?
If you earned more than you projected, you may repay some credit at tax time. Since 2026 the old repayment caps are gone, so this matters more than it used to.
Overestimated?
If you earned less than you projected (or took too little credit up front), you get the difference back as a refund when you file. You don't lose it.
Roughly where does your household land?
Pick the closest fit... this just points you to the right kind of help. Your agent confirms exact numbers.
Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum
Every Covered California plan uses the same four "metal" tiers. They all cover the same essential benefits... the difference is how you split costs between your monthly premium and your out-of-pocket when you actually use care.
high out-of-pocket
low out-of-pocket
| 2027 plan | Bronze | Silver | Silver 73 | Silver 87 | Silver 94 | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan pays (average) | 60% | 70% | 73% | 87% | 94% | 80% | 90% |
| Deductible | $5,800 | $4,700 | $4,700 | $1,100 | $200 | $0 | $0 |
| Doctor visit | $60 | $50 | $50 | $15 | $5 | $40 | $20 |
| Specialist | $100 | $100 | $100 | $30 | $8 | $80 | $45 |
| Generic drug | $20 | $20 | $20 | $10 | $3 | $19 | $10 |
| Out-of-pocket max | $11,650 | $11,650 | $9,600 | $4,000 | $3,000 | $9,600 | $5,500 |
Individual amounts from the 2027 standard plan designs; some services apply before the deductible and some after (see the full chart for the details). Silver 73 / 87 / 94 are the "Enhanced Silver" versions you automatically get at lower incomes... look how their deductibles and out-of-pocket max drop while you still pay the Silver premium. That's the Silver advantage in one table. Full benefit chart →
Rather see it explained?
Short on time, or still weighing the tiers? Here's a quick walk-through of your plan options.
Thinking Bronze? Both Bronze plans are now HSA-eligible
As of 2027, both of Covered California's Bronze plans qualify for a Health Savings Account. That's a genuine, often-overlooked tax advantage:
The HSA “triple tax advantage” — never taxed at any step.
Which direction fits you?
There's no wrong answer... this just tells your agent where to start.
Will your doctors be covered?
Two plans in the same metal tier can have very different doctor networks. Picking the wrong network is the most common (and avoidable) mistake. Here's the quick version:
Want the short version?
Rather watch than read? Here's how plan networks work, in a couple of minutes.
Do you have doctors you want to keep?
Prescriptions & how much care you use
Each plan has its own drug list (formulary), so the same medication can be cheap on one plan and pricey on another. And how often you expect to use care helps pick the right tier.
How much care do you expect to use this year?
Get your exact Covered California quote
You've covered the same ground we'd walk through on a call. Now let's get real numbers. Share a few details... including each person's date of birth, which we need to quote exact prices... and a licensed California agent will send your personalized quote with your subsidy, tiers, and doctors checked. Free, no obligation.
When can you enroll?
Open Enrollment: Nov 1 – Jan 31
For 2027 coverage, open enrollment runs November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027. Enroll by December 31 for coverage that starts January 1; enroll in January and coverage starts February 1. Already a member? You can review and switch plans right now.
Missed it? Special Enrollment
Outside that window you can still enroll within 60 days of a qualifying life event... losing other coverage, a job change, moving, marriage, a new baby, or losing Medi-Cal. Not sure if you qualify? We'll check for you.
More on timing: Open enrollment dates · Special enrollment →
- building summary…
We quote by exact age, so this lets us send real prices, not estimates.
Runs live plans and prices in our quoting system. You can always send it to us afterward for a second set of eyes, free.
You're all set!
Your details are on the way to a licensed California agent. We'll send your personalized Covered California quote shortly. Want to talk sooner?
Schedule a time to talk →This tool is a free educational guide from Goodacre Insurance Services, a licensed California health insurance agency, and is not Covered California or a government website. Income ranges are rounded 2027 estimates that vary by household size and change yearly; your agent confirms the exact numbers for your situation.
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