As we approach 2025, UC San Diego Medical has announced significant changes regarding the Medicare Advantage plans they will accept. Up until now, UCSD welcomed a variety of Medicare Advantage plans, including HMO options, allowing flexibility for a broad group of Medicare beneficiaries. However, starting in 2025, UCSD Medical will only accept a select number of Medicare Advantage plans while still accepting all Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap). This change may affect many patients who rely on UCSD Medical as their primary healthcare provider.

Why is UCSD restricting which Advantage Plans they accept?

This decision by UCSD Medical follows a similar and even more restrictive policy shift by Scripps Health. Effective January 1, 2024, Scripps hospitals stopped accepting all Medicare Advantage plans, only accepting Supplement plans moving forward. This shift left nearly 50,000 Scripps patients with a need to find new providers, and many of them moved their care to UCSD Medical throughout 2024. The increased demand for services has placed additional pressure on UCSD’s medical team, and the decision to narrow the range of accepted Medicare Advantage plans in 2025 appears to be a response to this influx of new patients. UCSD’s new policy is aimed at managing patient load while still providing high-quality care to those in the Medicare system.

How does UCSD’s 2025 decision on Medicare Advantage Plans impact patients?

Medicare patients affected by UCSD’s new policy have until December 7, 2024, the end of Medicare Open Enrollment, to make adjustments to their Medicare coverage. Here are a few key steps to consider:

• Check Your Plan: First, confirm whether UCSD will accept your current Medicare Advantage plan in 2025. You don’t want to lose access to UCSD Medical services unexpectedly.
• Consider Your Options: If your plan will no longer be accepted, you have a couple of options:
  • Switch to a Plan UCSD Accepts: Research which Medicare Advantage plans will still be accepted at UCSD. You can then switch to one of these during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period.
  • Find New Providers: Alternatively, if you prefer to stay with your current plan, you may need to seek a new network of providers that accepts it.

What Medicare Advantage Plans will UCSD accept in 2025?

For a list of Medicare plans that UCSD will accept in 2025, please visit UCSD’s Accepted Health Plans page. This page provides up-to-date information on the specific plans you can rely on for UCSD services.

Reach Out to HealthyMarks Medicare for Help

Navigating Medicare changes can be complicated, but you don’t have to do it alone. The team at HealthyMarks Medicare specializes in helping Medicare beneficiaries in our community find the right healthcare options. If you have questions about UCSD’s policy, need assistance understanding your Medicare options, or want to ensure you’re covered for 2025, please reach out. We’re here to make this process as smooth as possible.

Keaton Marks

Keaton Marks is the owner and CEO at HealthyMarks including the medicare team. Keaton was born and raised in Encinitas. He often rode his bike through town and to the local beaches like Moonlight. Keaton knows it is important to have a local resource, someone who understands the area, the hospitals and networks of doctors. Keaton is proud to be a local Medicare broker who is able to assist the people in his town when selecting medicare plans.

Keaton believes one thing above all else: “Medicare is confusing… but it doesn’t have to be! That is where HealthyMarks Medicare comes in” Please contact me with any questions.