As we approach 2026, UC San Diego Medical has announced significant changes regarding the Medicare Advantage plans they will accept. Up until now, UCSD welcomed a handful of Medicare Advantage plans, including HMO options, allowing flexibility for a broad group of Medicare beneficiaries. However, starting in 2026, 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. 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 and again in 2026 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 2026 decision on Medicare Advantage Plans impact patients?
Medicare patients affected by UCSD’s new policy have until December 7, 2025, the end of Medicare Open Enrollment, to make adjustments to their Medicare coverage in 2026. Here are a few key steps to consider:
- Check Your Plan: First, confirm whether UCSD will accept your current Medicare Advantage plan in 2026. There are some members who will be grandfathered in to UCSD under their current Advantage plan. For example, Humana has sent letters to members who will be losing their access to UCSD in 2026.
- Consider Your Options: If your Humana plan or other Advantage plan will no longer be accepted, you have a couple of options:
- Switch to a Plan UCSD Accepts: HealthyMarks can help you find a plan that will still be accepted at UCSD. You can then switch to one of these during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period. You can see here which plans are accepted on the UCSD’s Accepted Health Plans page.
- 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 2026?
For a list of Medicare plans that UCSD will accept in 2026, 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 2026, please reach out. We’re here to make this process as smooth as possible.
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.
I am under Va care
VA benefits and Medicare are separate health insurance systems, but veterans can be enrolled in both.
Scripps would not accept your VA benefits.
I’m looking forward for Medicare quote
Hi Leonard,
I just sent you an email. I look forward to speaking with you.
Our team at HealthyMarks would love to help anyone needing a Medicare quote.
I cam a retired nurse @UCSD. My current plan is Humana, I heard that plan will no longer be available. I have established doctors that to.
Yes, that is correct. Many Humana Advantage plans (along with many other Advantage plans) are no longer going to provide access to UCSD in 2025. There are many options for you to switch to. Let me know if you need help finding a new plan.
Yes I do. I went to schedule my yearly exams and contacted the Dr I had been assigned and was told she no longer accepts new patients. She then went on to say that UCSD will no longer be affiliated with Humana after the end of the year. I think its time to change my medicare carrier. Plus I also found out that I was losing a lot of my benefits thru Humana.
Thanks for sharing these details. Sounds like it is time to evaluate some new options. Please give us a call in October for 2026 Open Enrollment.
Medicare HMO Blue Shield Select PPO lost renewal contract with UCSD effective 7/8/25. All my established doctors are with UCSD Healthcare.
Please help me find another Medicare HMO plan that will keep me in the UCSD network.
Hi Rachel, I’m sorry you are going through this. We would love to help you. Right now UCSD and Blue Shield are still working on negotiations until July 9th. I do have faith they will come to an agreement. If they dont come to terms then you will be eligible for “Special Enrollment” and we can help you find a plan that best suites you. There are still other Advantage plans with access to UCSD. Here is a link to the updates:
https://news.blueshieldca.com/2025/05/05/blue-shield-of-california-committed-to-ensuring-members-have-access-to-affordable-care-with-uc-health-providers-and-facilities