Medicare plans by county · CY2026
39 Medicare Plans in Kern, California
Contract year 2026 · CMS Medicare Landscape Files
39 Medicare plans are available in Kern for 2026
Base monthly premiums range from $0.00 to $26.00. 31 plans have a $0.00 base premium.
Average CMS star rating: 3.4 stars (31 of 39 plans rated).
Premiums shown are the plan's base premium — your actual cost includes the Part B premium and may vary by income. To compare plans with your specific drugs and providers and to enroll, use the official Medicare Plan Finder: medicare.gov/plan-compare . Free help: 1-800-MEDICARE or your state's SHIP.
SNP (19 plans)
| Plan | Type | Organization | Base Premium/mo | Overall Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UHC Complete Care CA-27P (HMO-POS C-SNP) H0543_226 | HMO-POS C-SNP | UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | $0.00 | 4 ★ |
| UHC Complete Care Support CA-4AP (HMO C-SNP) H0543_242 | HMO C-SNP | UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | $12.00 | 4 ★ |
| Wellcare Specialty Simple (HMO C-SNP) H0562_092 | HMO C-SNP | Wellcare Centene Corporation | $0.00 | 3.5 ★ |
| Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO D-SNP) H3561_009 | HMO D-SNP | Wellcare Centene Corporation | $12.00 | 3.5 ★ |
| Kern Family Health Care Medicare (HMO D-SNP) H4057_001 | HMO D-SNP | Kern Family Health Care Medicare (D-SNP) Kern Health Systems (KHS) | $12.00 | — |
| Anthem Full Dual Advantage Aligned (HMO D-SNP) H4471_010 | HMO D-SNP | Anthem Blue Cross Elevance Health, Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Imperial Senior Value (HMO C-SNP) H5496_005 | HMO C-SNP | Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc. Imperial Health Plan of California | $0.00 | 3.5 ★ |
| Humana Gold Plus SNP-DE H5619-038 (HMO D-SNP) H5619_038 | HMO D-SNP | Humana Humana Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP) H5649_024 | HMO D-SNP | Central Health Medicare Plan Molina Healthcare, Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP) H5649_025 | HMO C-SNP | Central Health Medicare Plan Molina Healthcare, Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP) H5649_026 | HMO C-SNP | Central Health Medicare Plan Molina Healthcare, Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Champion Advantage (HMO-POS C-SNP) H6170_001 | HMO-POS C-SNP | Champion Heath Plan Champion Health Plans-USA, LLC. | $0.00 | — |
| Champion Connect (HMO-POS C-SNP) H6170_002 | HMO-POS C-SNP | Champion Heath Plan Champion Health Plans-USA, LLC. | $0.00 | — |
| Champion Select (HMO-POS C-SNP) H6170_003 | HMO-POS C-SNP | Champion Heath Plan Champion Health Plans-USA, LLC. | $8.40 | — |
| Champion Care (HMO C-SNP) H6170_008 | HMO C-SNP | Champion Heath Plan Champion Health Plans-USA, LLC. | $0.00 | — |
| Champion Choice (HMO C-SNP) H6170_009 | HMO C-SNP | Champion Heath Plan Champion Health Plans-USA, LLC. | $12.00 | — |
| Champion Plus (HMO C-SNP) H6170_010 | HMO C-SNP | Champion Heath Plan Champion Health Plans-USA, LLC. | $12.00 | — |
| Anthem Kidney Care (PPO C-SNP) H8552_028 | PPO C-SNP | Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company Elevance Health, Inc. | $0.00 | 2.5 ★ |
| Kaiser Permanente Dual Complete South P7 (HMO D-SNP) H8794_007 | HMO D-SNP | Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. | $0.00 | 4 ★ |
MA-PD (16 plans)
| Plan | Type | Organization | Base Premium/mo | Overall Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Shield 65 Plus (HMO) H0504_038 | HMO | Blue Shield of California California Physicians' Service | $0.00 | 4 ★ |
| Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO) H0523_022 | HMO | Aetna Medicare CVS Health Corporation | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Aetna Medicare Signature Extra (HMO) H0523_091 | HMO | Aetna Medicare CVS Health Corporation | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Enhanced Kern (HMO) H0524_035 | HMO | Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. | $26.00 | 4.5 ★ |
| Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Basic Kern (HMO) H0524_036 | HMO | Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. | $0.00 | 4.5 ★ |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0002 (HMO-POS) H0543_019 | HMO-POS | UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | $0.00 | 4 ★ |
| Anthem Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) H0544_062 | HMO-POS | Anthem Blue Cross Elevance Health, Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Anthem Prime (HMO-POS) H4161_005 | HMO-POS | Anthem Blue Cross Partnership Plan Elevance Health, Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO) H4982_003 | HMO | Aetna Medicare CVS Health Corporation | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Aetna Medicare Prime Value Plus (HMO-POS) H4982_022 | HMO-POS | Aetna Medicare CVS Health Corporation | $11.50 | 3 ★ |
| Imperial Dynamic Plan (HMO) H5496_012 | HMO | Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc. Imperial Health Plan of California | $0.00 | 3.5 ★ |
| Humana Gold Plus H5619-116 (HMO) H5619_116 | HMO | Humana Humana Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Humana Gold Plus H5619-148 (HMO) H5619_148 | HMO | Humana Humana Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Humana Gold Plus Giveback H5619-150 (HMO) H5619_150 | HMO | Humana Humana Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Central Health Classic Care Plan I (HMO) H5649_027 | HMO | Central Health Medicare Plan Molina Healthcare, Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Champion Ally (HMO) H6170_007 | HMO | Champion Heath Plan Champion Health Plans-USA, LLC. | $0.00 | — |
MA (4 plans)
| Plan | Type | Organization | Base Premium/mo | Overall Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx CA-MA01 (HMO-POS) H0543_121 | HMO-POS | UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | $0.00 | 4 ★ |
| Imperial Courage Plan (HMO) H5496_016 | HMO | Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc. Imperial Health Plan of California | $0.00 | 3.5 ★ |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback (HMO) H5619_121 | HMO | Humana Humana Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
| Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO) H5649_030 | HMO | Central Health Medicare Plan Molina Healthcare, Inc. | $0.00 | 3 ★ |
What these figures mean
Base premium: The amount shown is the plan's monthly base premium. Most Medicare enrollees also pay the standard Medicare Part B premium (generally deducted from your Social Security benefit). Higher-income enrollees pay an additional Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Low-income enrollees may qualify for the Extra Help (LIS) program, which can reduce or eliminate plan premiums and cost-sharing. A $0.00 plan premium does not mean $0 total monthly cost.
CMS star rating: CMS rates Medicare Advantage and Part D plans on a 1–5 star scale based on quality measures including preventive care, managing chronic conditions, member experience, and drug plan performance. A higher rating is generally better, but the best plan for you also depends on your specific prescriptions, preferred doctors and hospitals, and total cost-sharing. Star ratings reflect the contract's performance across its full service area — not Kern specifically.
MOOP (Maximum Out-of-Pocket): For MA plans, the Maximum Out-of-Pocket limit caps your annual in-network cost-sharing. Not shown in the table above; visible at medicare.gov/plan-compare for each specific plan.
How to compare these plans
Compare plans on the figures shown — base premium, plan type, organization, and CMS star rating. These are sourced from the CMS CY2026 Medicare Landscape Files (RECORDED figures). Atlas Commons does not rank a "best" plan — the right choice depends on your specific doctors, prescriptions, and budget. Use medicare.gov/plan-compare to enter your specific drugs and providers for a complete comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How many Medicare plans are available in Kern, California?
For contract year 2026, the CMS Medicare Landscape Files record 39 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans available in Kern, California. This count covers all contract types: MA-PD (16), MA (4), SNP (19).
What do Medicare plans cost in Kern, California?
Base monthly premiums for plans in Kern range from $0.00 to $26.00 — 31 plans have a $0.00 base premium. These are the plan's base premium only. Your actual monthly cost also includes the Medicare Part B premium (most people pay $174.70/mo in 2026, deducted from Social Security), and may include income-related adjustments (IRMAA) or Low Income Subsidy credits. A $0.00 plan premium does not mean $0 total cost.
How are Medicare plans in Kern, California rated?
CMS has assigned Overall star ratings (1–5 stars) to 31 of 39 plans in Kern. The unweighted average overall star rating is 3.4 stars. Star ratings are CMS's quality score — a higher rating generally reflects better performance across quality measures, but the best plan for you depends on your specific prescriptions, preferred providers, and budget. 8 plans in this county do not have an overall CMS rating (typically PDP-only or newly contracted plans).
How do I enroll in a Medicare plan in Kern, California?
Use the official Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare. Enter your ZIP code to see plans with exact premiums, copays, drug coverage, and provider networks — customized to your situation and drugs. Enrollment periods apply (Annual Enrollment: Oct 15–Dec 7; Special Enrollment Periods for qualifying events). This page shows which plans exist and their base premiums; to enroll, use Medicare's official tool.
Where can I get free, unbiased help choosing a Medicare plan?
Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — a free, unbiased Medicare counseling service available in every state. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. SHIP counselors help you compare plans, understand costs, and make enrollment decisions at no cost.
What to do next
- Compare and enroll: medicare.gov/plan-compare — the official Medicare Plan Finder. Enter your ZIP code, drugs, and providers to compare all plans with exact costs and coverage.
- Free unbiased help: Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — free Medicare counseling in every state — or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24/7.
- Official source: CMS Medicare Landscape Files — the source of this data.
RECORDED premiums · DETERMINATION star ratings · AGGREGATED plan count. Plan list for Kern, California, CY2026. Data generated June 24, 2026.
Machine-readable: JSON-LD · Markdown · Source: CMS Medicare Landscape Files