UC San Diego Health Medicare Changes for 2027: SCAN Contract Ending and What Patients Need to Know
UC San Diego Health Medicare Changes for 2027: SCAN Contract Ending and What Patients Need to Know
Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries in San Diego may need to reconsider their health insurance coverage for 2027 as UC San Diego Health announces significant changes involving several Medicare Advantage plans.
If you receive care through UC San Diego Health and have a Medicare Advantage plan, it’s important to review your coverage before the December 7, 2026, Medicare Annual Enrollment Period deadline.
UC San Diego Health has confirmed that its contract with SCAN Medicare Advantage HMO will end on December 31, 2026. Beginning January 1, 2027, UC San Diego Health will no longer be a contracted provider under that plan.
Additional changes involving Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO plans and Regal Medical Group could also affect beneficiaries who want to continue receiving care through UC San Diego Health.
Here’s what these changes mean, which plans are affected, and what you should consider before selecting your 2027 Medicare coverage.
UC San Diego Health and SCAN Medicare Advantage: What’s Changing in 2027?
According to an announcement published on the UC San Diego Health website, SCAN Health Plan is ending its Medicare Advantage HMO contract with UC San Diego Health effective January 1, 2027.
Key dates for SCAN Medicare Advantage members:
- December 31, 2026: Last day UC San Diego Health is expected to remain in network under the existing SCAN Medicare Advantage HMO contract.
- January 1, 2027: UC San Diego Health becomes a non-contracted provider for SCAN Medicare Advantage HMO members.
- December 7, 2026: Deadline for most beneficiaries to change their Medicare Advantage coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period.
This change does not mean UC San Diego Health is closing or that SCAN is necessarily leaving the Medicare market.
Instead, it means the contractual relationship between the hospital system and SCAN’s Medicare Advantage HMO is ending.
For patients who have established relationships with UC San Diego Health physicians, specialists, or treatment centers, this distinction is significant.
Because Medicare Advantage HMO plans typically require members to receive non-emergency care through participating providers, patients could face restrictions on future appointments, specialist visits, or other services after the contract ends.
Certain exceptions, including emergency care and applicable continuity-of-care protections, may apply.
Patients who want to continue seeing their UC San Diego Health doctors should review alternative Medicare coverage before December 7, 2026.
Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO Plans Are Also Changing in San Diego County
SCAN is not the only Medicare Advantage insurer affected by changes for 2027.
UC San Diego Health also reports that Aetna is eliminating all individual Medicare Advantage PPO plans in San Diego County beginning in 2027.
This is a separate issue from the SCAN provider contract termination.
Rather than simply removing UC San Diego Health from an existing provider network, Aetna is discontinuing this category of individual Medicare Advantage PPO coverage in the county.
Beneficiaries enrolled in an affected Aetna plan should review their Annual Notice of Change and any plan termination notices to determine their options.
Importantly, Aetna retiree or employer-sponsored Medicare coverage may operate differently. Members of those plans should contact their plan administrator to verify continued coverage and network participation.
Other Medicare Advantage Network Changes at UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health has identified several additional limitations or potential changes involving Medicare Advantage plans.
| Medicare Plan or Provider Group | 2027 Status or Important Consideration |
|---|---|
| SCAN Medicare Advantage HMO | UC San Diego Health contract ending January 1, 2027 |
| Aetna individual Medicare Advantage PPO | Individual PPO plans eliminated in San Diego County for 2027 |
| Regal Medical Group | UC San Diego Health contract currently scheduled to end January 1, 2027 |
| Alignment Medicare PPO | UC San Diego Health is not in network; out-of-network benefits may apply |
| Humana Medicare Advantage Honor PPO | UC San Diego Health is not in network; out-of-network benefits may apply |
| Blue Shield 65 Plus HMO | Specialty services only, subject to referral and authorization; no primary care access |
| Anthem Medicare HMO | Specialty services only, subject to referral and authorization; no primary care access |
Source: UC San Diego Health’s published Medicare plan information. Network participation and coverage must be confirmed for each individual plan.
These changes highlight why Medicare beneficiaries should not assume that an insurer’s name alone determines whether a particular hospital or doctor will accept their coverage.
Two plans offered by the same insurance company may have different provider networks, benefits, referral requirements, and out-of-pocket costs.
Does UC San Diego Health Accept Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement Plans?
Yes. According to UC San Diego Health, the hospital system accepts Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Supplement insurance, also known as Medigap.
This is particularly important for beneficiaries concerned about losing access to their physicians because of Medicare Advantage network changes.
Original Medicare With a Medicare Supplement
Original Medicare generally allows beneficiaries to visit any physician or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare, without the restrictive provider networks commonly associated with Medicare Advantage HMOs.
A Medicare Supplement policy can help pay certain out-of-pocket expenses that Original Medicare does not fully cover, depending on the supplement plan selected.
For example, Medicare Supplement Plan G is a popular option because it covers many of Original Medicare’s remaining cost-sharing expenses, although beneficiaries remain responsible for the annual Part B deductible and applicable premiums.
Unlike many Medicare Advantage plans, most standardized Medicare Supplement policies do not require referrals to see specialists who accept Medicare.
However, Medicare Supplement policies typically do not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. Beneficiaries may need to purchase a separate Medicare Part D plan.
UC San Diego Health notes that rare exceptions exist where certain supplemental policies may have provider-related limitations. Patients should verify their specific coverage.
Important: Switching from Medicare Advantage to a Medicare Supplement is not always automatic or guaranteed. Depending on your circumstances and applicable state rules, medical underwriting may be required.
This makes it especially important to review your options before canceling existing coverage.
Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement: Which Offers More Freedom to Choose Doctors?
For beneficiaries who prioritize access to a particular hospital system, understanding the difference between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with Medigap is essential.
| Feature | Medicare Advantage | Original Medicare + Medigap |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor and hospital networks | Often required or financially important | Generally any provider accepting Medicare |
| Specialist referrals | May be required, particularly with HMOs | Generally not required |
| Monthly premiums | Some plans offer $0 additional plan premiums | Separate Medigap premium |
| Medical out-of-pocket costs | Copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and annual limits | Depends on Medigap plan |
| Prescription drug coverage | Often included | Separate Part D plan generally needed |
| Prior authorization | Often required for certain services | Original Medicare coverage rules apply; limited exceptions |
| Risk of provider network changes | Yes | Generally no conventional provider network for standardized Medigap |
| Ability to enroll | Subject to eligibility and enrollment periods | May require medical underwriting outside protected enrollment rights |
Neither option is automatically the best choice for everyone.
Medicare Advantage may offer lower premiums and additional benefits that appeal to some beneficiaries. Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement may be better suited to individuals who want broader provider access and more predictable medical cost-sharing.
The right choice depends on your physicians, medications, health needs, budget, and eligibility.
What Should SCAN Members Do Before December 7, 2026?
If you currently have SCAN Medicare Advantage HMO coverage and receive treatment through UC San Diego Health, now is the time to evaluate your options.
1. Confirm which doctors and facilities you want to keep.
Make a list of your primary care physician, specialists, hospitals, and any facilities where you receive ongoing treatment.
2. Compare available 2027 Medicare Advantage plans.
Check whether your preferred UC San Diego Health doctors and facilities participate in each plan’s 2027 network.
Don’t assume that because your physician accepts one Medicare Advantage plan, they will accept every plan from that company.
3. Evaluate Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement.
If maintaining broad access to physicians is your main concern, it may be worth comparing Medicare Supplement coverage against available Medicare Advantage plans.
Be sure to verify Medigap eligibility and any medical underwriting requirements before making changes.
4. Review prescription drug coverage.
If you change plans, confirm your medications, dosages, pharmacy, and expected annual prescription costs.
A plan that provides access to your favorite physicians may still be expensive if your medications are not covered favorably.
5. Enroll before the deadline.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7 each year.
Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1 of the following year.
Some beneficiaries may qualify for additional enrollment opportunities depending on their circumstances, but they should not assume an extension applies.
What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Medicare Plan?
The answer depends on the type of change affecting your coverage.
If your Medicare Advantage plan continues into 2027 but loses its contract with UC San Diego Health, you may remain enrolled in the same insurance plan while losing in-network access to certain providers.
If your specific Medicare Advantage plan is being discontinued, your insurer should provide information explaining what happens to your coverage and whether you need to choose a replacement.
In some circumstances, a beneficiary may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or guaranteed-issue Medigap protections.
However, losing access to a particular hospital does not automatically guarantee the right to purchase any Medicare Supplement policy without medical underwriting.
This is why understanding the exact reason for your coverage change is so important.
How to Check Whether UC San Diego Health Accepts Your Medicare Plan
UC San Diego Health encourages patients to verify participation directly with their insurance provider.
When contacting your plan, ask whether the following are in network for 2027:
- Your individual physicians and specialists
- UC San Diego Medical Group
- UC San Diego Health / UCSD Medical Center
- The specific clinic or hospital location where you receive treatment
UC San Diego Health provides the following tax identification numbers to help with verification:
UC San Diego Medical Group: 23-7064656
UC San Diego Health / UCSD Medical Center: 33-0599494
Patients can also contact UC San Diego Health at 800-926-8273, option 7, for questions about accepted Medicare Advantage HMO plans.
Always verify both your provider’s network status and your specific plan’s benefits.
Medicare Changes in 2027: Why Reviewing Your Coverage Is More Important Than Ever
The situation at UC San Diego Health demonstrates how Medicare Advantage coverage can change from year to year.
A plan that worked well in 2026 may no longer provide the same level of access in 2027.
For some beneficiaries, the biggest change may not be a premium increase or a higher copayment. It may be discovering that a trusted physician, specialist, or hospital is no longer in network.
That is why a thorough Medicare review should consider more than the monthly premium.
Understanding network participation, prescription coverage, potential out-of-pocket costs, and the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement insurance can help beneficiaries avoid unexpected disruptions to their care.
Need Help Reviewing Your 2027 Medicare Coverage?
At Plan Medicare, our licensed Medicare advisors help beneficiaries understand their options and compare Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and prescription drug plans.
If your Medicare plan is changing, your hospital is leaving your plan’s network, or you are concerned about maintaining access to your doctors, we can help you evaluate available alternatives.
Our goal is to help you understand your coverage, compare your options, and make an informed decision based on your health care needs.
Don’t wait until your coverage changes to find out whether your doctors are still in network.
Speak With a Licensed Medicare Advisor
Plan Medicare is an independent insurance agency and is not affiliated with UC San Diego Health, Medicare, or the federal government. Plan availability, benefits, provider participation, and enrollment rights vary by location and individual circumstances.
Source: UC San Diego Health — Medicare Plans Accepted
Information reviewed November 10, 2026. Medicare plan contracts and provider networks are subject to change.
