California
Medicare help in California
Free, unbiased counseling, help paying premiums and drug costs, how to check an agent before you talk to one, and the California rules that affect your Medigap choices.
Free counseling
HICAP
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is California's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Trained counselors answer Medicare questions, compare plans with you and help you apply for savings programs, at no cost. They don't sell insurance.
Help paying for Medicare in California
If your income and savings are limited, these programs can lower your premiums and drug costs. Many people who qualify never apply.
Medicare Savings Programs
Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, runs California's Medicare Savings Programs. They pay your Part B premium, and the fullest one (QMB) also pays Part A premiums, deductibles and copays. You don't need to qualify for full Medicaid.
The 2026 federal minimum limits: income up to $1,350 a month single or $1,824 married for full help (QMB), or up to $1,816 single or $2,455 married for help with the Part B premium, and savings up to $9,950 single or $14,910 married. Your home and one car don't count. States can be more generous.
California uses the federal income limits. California's asset limit is much higher than the federal one: since January 1, 2026, $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each additional household member.
Extra Help with drug costs
Extra Help is a federal program, run by Social Security, that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. In 2026 you may qualify with income up to $23,940 a year single or $32,460 married, and resources up to $18,090 single or $36,100 married. If you get a Medicare Savings Program, Medicaid or SSI, you get Extra Help automatically. Apply with Social Security.
California drug assistance program
Medicare.gov lists no general state drug assistance program for people with Medicare in California. Start with Extra Help; California's free SHIP counselors can help you apply.
Sources: Medicaid.gov state contacts, California's own Medicaid pages and Medicare.gov's state program list, checked October 27, 2026. Limits change every year; confirm with Medi-Cal before you apply. How Extra Help and savings programs work.
Check an agent's license in California
The California Department of Insurance licenses insurance agents in California. Before you share personal information, look the agent up by name or National Producer Number (NPN) and make sure their license is active and includes health insurance.
Medigap rules in California
Switching plans later
California gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch without health questions: 60 days or more starting on your birthday. Any company; a plan with equal or lesser benefits.
If you're under 65
Insurers in California must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare, except people with ESRD. Plans and prices can be limited. More on Medigap under 65.
Source: NAIC state Medigap chart, May 11, 2026. Confirm with the California Department of Insurance before changing coverage.
Dates that apply everywhere
- October 15 to December 7: Open Enrollment, when you can change Medicare Advantage and drug plans. All enrollment periods
- January 1 to March 31: people in Medicare Advantage can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once.
- Around your 65th birthday: your 7-month window to sign up. Turning 65
Common questions in California
Where can I get free Medicare help in California?
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is California's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Its counselors help with Medicare questions for free and don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-434-0222.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in California?
The California Department of Insurance licenses insurance agents. Use its license lookup to search by the agent's name or National Producer Number (NPN), or call 1-800-927-4357.
How do I get help paying Medicare premiums in California?
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through Medi-Cal (1-800-541-5555). These programs pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays. California uses the federal income limits. California's asset limit is much higher than the federal one: since January 1, 2026, $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each additional household member. California's free SHIP counselors (1-800-434-0222) can help you apply.
Does California help pay for prescriptions?
Medicare.gov lists no general state drug assistance program for people with Medicare in California. Extra Help, a federal program run by Social Security, lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income, and California's free SHIP counselors (1-800-434-0222) can check whether you qualify.
Does California have a Medigap birthday rule?
California gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch plans without health questions: 60 days or more starting on your birthday. Any company; a plan with equal or lesser benefits.
Can I buy Medigap under 65 in California?
Insurers in California must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare, except people with ESRD. Plans and prices can be limited.
State contacts checked against official California sites on October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about a specific plan. How we check facts.