Plan availability, pricing examples, provider networks, and what California consumers should know
Health Net of California will continue offering individual and family health plans for 2027, including HMO and PPO options sold through Covered California and directly through Health Net. The plans are not available in every county, so plan choices depend on your ZIP code and rating region.
Health Net’s Changing Focus
Health Net has participated in Covered California since the marketplace began and has a long history in California’s individual, family, group, Medicare, and supplemental insurance markets. Centene Corporation acquired Health Net in 2016. Since then, I have observed a number of operational changes, including improvements in customer service, broker relations, enrollment systems, and the online provider search experience.
Health Net has also narrowed its product focus. It stopped offering Medicare Supplement plans in 2026 and exited the small-employer group market. For agents and consumers, this tighter focus may help the company concentrate its resources on the products it continues to support.
What Plans Will Health Net Offer in 2027?
Health Net’s 2027 individual and family plans are branded Ambetter from Health Net. Depending on the region, consumers may see standard-benefit-design HMO plans, PPO plans, or both. Plans may be available through Covered California or directly from Health Net outside the exchange.
California has 19 rating regions, and your ZIP code determines which plans are available. The Covered California Shop and Compare tool is the best starting point for confirming the options offered at your address. A plan available to you may not be available to a friend or relative who lives in another ZIP code.
Changes to Covered California standard benefit design for 2027.
2027 Service Areas
HMO Plans
Health Net’s HMO plans are expected to be offered throughout:
- Los Angeles County
- Orange County
- San Diego County
- Imperial County
Partial HMO coverage is expected in Kern, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. Availability in these large counties depends on the ZIP code and the presence of hospitals, primary care physicians, and other providers within a reasonable distance.
PPO Plans
Health Net’s PPO plans are expected to be offered in:
- Yolo County
- Sacramento County
- Most of Placer County
- Los Angeles County
- Orange County
- San Diego County
Partial PPO coverage is expected in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Always confirm availability for your specific ZIP code before comparing benefits or provider networks.
How the Rates Compare
Health Net’s HMO and PPO rates appear competitive in several regions. The following examples from the transcript illustrate monthly premiums for a 25-year-old. Rates vary by age, location, metal tier, household details, and eligibility for financial assistance, so use these figures only as comparison examples.
Sacramento County
- Health Net Bronze PPO: $540 per month
- Blue Shield Bronze PPO: $691 per month
Health Net offers PPO plans in Sacramento County, including access to UC Davis Medical Group and UC Davis Medical Center within the applicable network.
Los Angeles County
- Health Net Silver PPO: $665 per month
- Health Net Silver HMO: $461 per month
- Blue Shield Silver PPO: $703 per month
Health Net’s examples are less expensive, although Blue Shield may offer a broader provider network. Price is important, but retaining preferred doctors, hospitals, and medical groups should be a central part of the decision.
San Diego County
- Health Net Silver PPO: $743 per month
- Health Net Silver HMO: $512 per month
- Blue Shield Silver PPO: $753 per month
The PPO price difference is smaller in San Diego County, where the local provider networks may be more comparable. Review both premiums and provider access before selecting a plan.
Check the Provider Network Carefully
Health Net has improved its online Find a Doctor tool, but consumers must select the correct network. Health Net supports many networks, and choosing the wrong one can produce misleading results.
For Individual and Family HMO Plans
Select the Ambetter HMO individual and family plan network that corresponds to your metal tier. In the network menu, look for the HMO option identified for individual and family plans.
For Individual and Family PPO Plans
Select the Ambetter PPO individual and family plan network for the appropriate metal tier. The network list is alphabetical, so you may need to scroll past the HMO options to find PPO.
After choosing the correct network, search for your doctors, hospitals, medical groups, and any specialists you expect to use. Provider directories can change, so confirm participation directly with both the provider and the health plan before enrolling or receiving nonemergency care.
A Note About Out-of-Network PPO Care
A PPO may provide out-of-network benefits, but that does not mean out-of-network care is affordable. Deductibles, coinsurance, balance billing, and the plan’s allowed amount can leave you with substantial costs. Whenever possible, remain in network and reserve out-of-network care for situations in which the benefit clearly justifies the expense.
Are Health Net’s 2027 Plans Worth Considering?
Yes. Health Net’s Ambetter HMO and PPO plans deserve consideration where they are available. The rates can be competitive, the networks include important local providers in some regions, and Health Net has made noticeable improvements to customer service, broker support, enrollment operations, and provider search tools.
Still, there is no single best health plan for everyone. Before enrolling, compare:
- Monthly premium and potential financial assistance
- Deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and the out-of-pocket maximum
- Prescription drug coverage
- Your preferred physicians, hospitals, and medical groups
- HMO referral rules and PPO out-of-network costs
- Plan availability at your exact ZIP code
For 2027, Health Net’s Ambetter plans may offer a strong combination of price and provider access for many California individuals and families. Check the details carefully and select the plan that best fits your health care needs and budget.
If you have questions about Health Net plans or other Covered California options, leave a comment or contact me through InsureMeKevin.com. I’ll do my best to help.
Kevin Knauss is an independent health insurance agent in California and a Certified Insurance Agent with Covered California. This article is for general informational purposes and is not a guarantee of plan availability, provider participation, benefits, or rates.
YouTube video of Health Net IFP 2027
Health Net Individual and Family Plan documents.
