Newsroom · San Diego County, California
Medicare Advantage Plans Ending in San Diego County for 2027
Twenty-two general Medicare Advantage plans sold in San Diego County in 2026 are not on the county's 2027 shelf, and 30,291 people were on them in September. Here is the full list with each plan's 2026 premium and cap, which exits are a whole insurer leaving and which are trims, and the eight plans that arrive.
The bottom line
- 22 plans gone from the county. 21 have no row anywhere in the CMS 2027 file (a non-renewal, letter dated October 2); 1 still exists in other counties but left San Diego.
- Three organizations leave the general shelf entirely — Sharp Health Plan (four plans), Central Health Medicare Plan (three) and Molina Healthcare of California (one, keeping only a dual-eligible plan). Everything else — Aetna, Alignment, Humana, SCAN, Astiva — is a trim, with other plans from the same insurer continuing.
- 29,678 members were on the 21 non-renewed plans in September 2026 per CMS county enrollment; Sharp's four plans alone account for more than half.
- The county goes from 54 plans / 17 organizations to 41 / 14; 32 of the 41 are $0 premium. PPO drug plans fall from 6 to 3. Eight plans are new.
- Choose between October 15 and December 7. The Medigap guaranteed-issue window runs November 1 – March 4; the backstop Special Enrollment Period runs December 8 – February 28.
If a Medicare Advantage plan in San Diego County mailed you a letter dated October 2, your plan is on the list below. We published the Sharp Direct Advantage story yesterday (Is Sharp Direct Advantage ending in 2027?) because it is the largest exit by far. But Sharp is 4 of 22. This post is the whole list, built the only reliable way: the CMS 2026 plan file against the CMS 2027 plan file, matched by plan number, never by name, because insurers reuse names under new numbers every year. Carrier names here are factual reporting, not criticism — the member's rights are identical whichever company is leaving.
The full list: 22 plans not on San Diego County's 2027 shelf
Grouped by insurer, whole-carrier exits first. "Members" is September 2026 enrollment in San Diego County from CMS's county-level enrollment file; CMS suppresses counts under 11.
| Plan (2026) | Plan ID | 2026 premium | 2026 in-network cap | 2026 stars | Members (Sept 2026) | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp Direct Advantage VIP (HMO) Sharp Health Plan · whole exit | H5386-005 | $0 | $2,900 | 3.5 | 10,102 | Not offered anywhere |
| Sharp Direct Advantage VIP Plus (HMO) Sharp Health Plan · whole exit | H5386-006 | $0 | $2,900 | 3.5 | 4,507 | Not offered anywhere |
| Sharp Direct Advantage Gold (HMO) Sharp Health Plan · whole exit | H5386-003 | $0 | $2,900 | 3.5 | 2,028 | Not offered anywhere |
| Sharp Direct Advantage Platinum (HMO) Sharp Health Plan · whole exit | H5386-004 | $62 | $2,900 | 3.5 | 610 | Not offered anywhere |
| Central Health Part B Savings Plan (HMO) Central Health Medicare Plan · whole exit | H5649-029 | $0 | $2,900 | 3.0 | 695 | Not offered anywhere |
| Central Health Classic Care Plan I (HMO) Central Health Medicare Plan · whole exit | H5649-027 | $0 | $799 | 3.0 | 544 | Not offered anywhere |
| Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO) — medical only Central Health Medicare Plan · whole exit | H5649-030 | n/a (no Part D) | $4,400 | 3.0 | 68 | Not offered anywhere |
| Molina Medicare Choice Care (HMO) Molina Healthcare of California · whole exit | H5810-014 | $0 | $3,600 | 3.0 | 595 | Not offered anywhere |
| Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) Aetna Medicare · trim | H5521-422 | $0 | $6,350 | 4.5 | 2,554 | Not offered anywhere |
| Aetna Medicare Enhanced (PPO) Aetna Medicare · trim | H5521-580 | $59 | $5,500 | 4.5 | 1,358 | Not offered anywhere |
| Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO) Aetna Medicare · trim | H4982-004 | $0 | $2,000 | 3.0 | 1,355 | Not offered anywhere |
| Aetna Medicare Eagle (PPO) — medical only Aetna Medicare · trim | H5521-369 | n/a (no Part D) | $6,750 | 4.5 | 467 | Not offered anywhere |
| Aetna Medicare Signature Extra (HMO) Aetna Medicare · trim | H0523-092 | $0 | $2,000 | 3.0 | 17 | Not offered anywhere |
| Alignment Health Advantage PPO (PPO) Alignment Health Plan · trim | H8832-001 | $45 | $4,201 | n/a | 613 | Left the county |
| Alignment Health Honor+ Plan (HMO) Alignment Health Plan · trim | H3815-052 | $0 | $9,250 | 4.0 | 412 | Not offered anywhere |
| Alignment Health the ONE (HMO) Alignment Health Plan · trim | H3815-034 | $0 | $3,400 | 4.0 | 177 | Not offered anywhere |
| Alignment Health Freedom (PPO) Alignment Health Plan · trim | H8832-003 | $12 | $8,500 | n/a | 124 | Not offered anywhere |
| HumanaChoice H5525-077 (PPO) Humana · trim | H5525-077 | $0 | $5,700 | 3.5 | 3,201 | Not offered anywhere |
| Humana Gold Plus H5619-148 (HMO) Humana · trim | H5619-148 | $0 | $2,900 | 3.0 | 273 | Not offered anywhere |
| SCAN MyChoice (HMO) SCAN Health Plan · trim | H5425-109 | $0 | $1,000 | 4.0 | 321 | Not offered anywhere |
| SCAN Affirm partnered with Included LGBTQ+ Health (HMO) SCAN Health Plan · trim | H5425-096 | $0 | $500 | 4.0 | 142 | Not offered anywhere |
| Astiva Health Premier Plan (HMO) Astiva Health · trim | H1993-015 | $0 | $1,500 | 4.0 | 128 | Not offered anywhere |
Source: CMS CY2026 and CY2027 landscape files, San Diego County, general (non-SNP) rows, compared by Contract Plan ID on October 6, 2026; enrollment from the CMS September 2026 county enrollment file. "n/a" premium means a medical-only plan with no Part D. 2027 star ratings are not yet published. Listing a plan is not a recommendation.
Total September enrollment on all 22 plans: 30,291. Four special needs plans also leave the county (two Central Health chronic-condition plans, Champion Select and an Anthem kidney-care PPO) and ten arrive; this post covers the general shelf, so dual-eligible and chronic-condition members should read their own letter and the San Diego County exits page, which is rebuilt from the same files.
Whole-carrier exits versus trims
The distinction matters because it tells you whether the insurer's name on your card can appear on a 2027 card too. A trim means the insurer is still in the county with other plans, and your letter may describe a specific plan it suggests; a whole exit means there is nothing to move into under that name.
| Insurer | Plans gone | Plans continuing | New for 2027 | Kind | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp Health Plan | 4 | 0 | 0 | Whole exit | No row anywhere in the 2027 file. Sharp hospitals and medical groups continue with other insurers. |
| Central Health Medicare Plan | 3 | 0 | 0 | Whole exit | No row anywhere in the 2027 file, including its two chronic-condition plans. |
| Molina Healthcare of California | 1 | 0 | 0 | General plan gone | Lists only a dual-eligible special needs plan in the county for 2027. |
| Aetna Medicare | 5 | 2 | 1 | Trim | Signature Legacy and Prime HMOs continue; a medical-only Eagle HMO and a chronic-care plan are new. |
| Alignment Health Plan | 4 | 6 | 3 | Trim | Three plans not renewed and one PPO left the county; three new plans including two PPOs. |
| Humana | 2 | 5 | 1 | Trim | A PPO and one Gold Plus HMO end; another Gold Plus HMO is new. |
| SCAN Health Plan | 2 | 3 | 1 | Trim | Affirm and MyChoice end; a Costco-branded HMO is new. |
| Astiva Health | 1 | 1 | 0 | Trim | Premier ends; Savings Plan continues. |
Counts are general (non-SNP) plans in San Diego County from the two landscape files. Molina's dual-eligible plan and the new chronic-condition plans are special needs plans and are counted separately.
One pattern worth naming: the low-cap plans are the ones leaving. All four Sharp plans carried a $2,900 cap; Central Health Classic Care was $799; SCAN Affirm $500 and MyChoice $1,000; Astiva Premier $1,500; both Aetna Signature HMOs $2,000. Of the eight arrivals, two Blue Shield HMOs and the SCAN Costco plan come in under $1,000, but the Alignment arrivals sit at $9,850 and the UnitedHealthcare Sharp-network plans that continue moved from $2,900–$3,300 to $4,450. When you compare, the in-network cap is the number a $0 premium hides.
The eight plans new to San Diego County for 2027
| Plan (2027) | Plan ID | Premium | In-network cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna Medicare Eagle (HMO) — medical only Aetna Medicare | H0523-099 | n/a (no Part D) | $4,450 |
| Alignment Health Honor Plus 060 (HMO) Alignment Health Plan | H3815-060 | $7.30 | $9,850 |
| Alignment Health Balance Plus 004 (PPO) Alignment Health Plan | H8832-004 | $7.30 | $9,850 |
| Alignment Health Advantage 005 (PPO) Alignment Health Plan | H8832-005 | $160 | $4,451 |
| Blue Shield Advantage (HMO) Blue Shield of California | H0504-055 | $0 | $499 |
| Blue Shield Value Advantage Plan (HMO) Blue Shield of California | H0504-057 | $0 | $500 |
| Humana Gold Plus H3767-001 (HMO) Humana | H3767-001 | $0 | $3,300 |
| SCAN Costco Medicare Advantage (HMO) SCAN Health Plan | H5425-145 | $0 | $900 |
Source: CMS CY2027 landscape file, San Diego County, plan numbers absent from the 2026 file. The landscape file does not carry copays, drug tiers or networks; those live in each plan's Evidence of Coverage and on Medicare Plan Compare.
What the county looks like after the changes
Sources: CMS landscape files (MA-PD rows, SNP indicator No; in-network caps $295–$9,850 for 2027) · CMS 2027 state fact sheets (average California MA premium $13.77 → $14.12; 10 stand-alone drug plans).
The letter, and the three doors it opens
Federal rules require a plan that is not renewing to notify each member in writing at least 90 days before it ends (42 CFR § 422.506) — October 2 for a December 31 end — and Medicare.gov describes the same letter (when a plan is no longer available in your area). It does not mean you are losing Medicare, and it does not mean your doctors are leaving. It is also not the same document as the Annual Notice of Change every plan sent by September 30; here is how to tell them apart.
- Another Medicare Advantage plan from the 14 organizations still in the county, chosen between October 15 and December 7 so it starts January 1 (Medicare.gov). Compare your medical group and doctors first, then your prescriptions, then the cap, then the premium. Sharp patients: Sharp's accepted-plans page lists which 2027 plans Sharp Rees-Stealy and Sharp Community Medical Group each take.
- Original Medicare plus Medigap plus a stand-alone drug plan. Per Medicare.gov, when your plan leaves you may buy Medigap Plan A, B, D, G, K or L with no health questions, applying from 60 days before to 63 days after your coverage ends — November 1, 2026 through March 4, 2027. California's 10 stand-alone drug plans run $5.30 to $252.60 a month for 2027.
- Original Medicare plus a drug plan, no Medigap. Lowest premium, no network, no cap on your 20 percent share. Price it against your health honestly.
Miss December 7 and a discontinued plan still gives you a Special Enrollment Period from December 8 through February 28 (42 CFR § 422.62), but a plan chosen in January starts February 1, and January would be spent in Original Medicare without drug coverage. A net, not a plan.
Is your plan on this list?
Brian Penner has worked with Medicare clients for more than 22 years, is licensed in California and works by phone. Bring the letter, your medical group and your prescriptions, and we will compare the plans we offer in San Diego County against all three doors — no cost, no pressure. We do not offer every plan available in your area.
Book a phone appointment →The calendar from here
| When | What happens | |
|---|---|---|
| Dated October 2, 2026 | Non-renewal notice from any plan on the list below: the plan ends December 31; your windows; a Medigap fact sheet. | Keep it |
| Oct 15 – Dec 7, 2026 | Annual Enrollment Period — choose 2027 coverage; it starts January 1. | Act |
| Nov 1, 2026 – Mar 4, 2027 | Medigap guaranteed-issue window: 60 days before your plan ends through 63 days after. | Medigap door |
| Dec 8, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 | Special Enrollment Period for members of a discontinued plan — a January pick starts February 1. | Backstop |
| Doing nothing | January 1 you are in Original Medicare with no drug plan and no out-of-pocket cap. | Risk |
What I would do this week
- Find your plan in the first table. If it says "Left the county," the insurer still sells it elsewhere, which changes nothing for you — it is gone from San Diego County either way.
- Check whether your insurer is a whole exit or a trim. A trim means your letter may name a suggested plan from the same company; read it as a suggestion, not a default. Nothing moves you automatically.
- Write down your medical group, every doctor, every prescription and your pharmacy before you look at any plan. Comparing without that list is guessing.
- Decide the door before the plan. If you lean toward Medigap, the window opens November 1 and there is no reason to wait for December.
- Enroll between October 15 and December 7. CMS honors the last enrollment request, so an early choice can still be changed inside the window.
How we know all this: the Medicare On Main Data Desk frames every article with public data — here, the CMS CY2026 and CY2027 landscape files compared by Contract Plan ID, CMS's September 2026 county-level enrollment file, CMS's September 28, 2026 California fact sheet, Modern Healthcare's reporting on the 2027 exits, Sharp HealthCare's accepted-plans page, and the federal rules and Medicare.gov pages on non-renewal notices, enrollment periods and Medigap guaranteed-issue rights. Mentioning a carrier or a health system is factual reporting, not endorsement or criticism. This is education, not advice; confirm plans, costs and eligibility with a licensed agent or Medicare.gov. We take no payment from any carrier to feature a plan.
Frequently asked questions
Which Medicare Advantage plans are ending in San Diego County for 2027?
Comparing the CMS 2026 and 2027 plan files by plan number, 22 general Medicare Advantage plans sold in San Diego County in 2026 are not offered there for 2027: all four Sharp Direct Advantage HMOs, all three Central Health plans, Molina Medicare Choice Care, five Aetna plans (Signature Extra HMO, Signature HMO, Signature PPO, Enhanced PPO and the medical-only Eagle PPO), HumanaChoice H5525-077 PPO and Humana Gold Plus H5619-148, SCAN Affirm and SCAN MyChoice, Alignment the ONE, Honor+, Freedom PPO and Advantage PPO, and Astiva Premier. Twenty-one are gone everywhere; Alignment's Advantage PPO still exists in other counties.
Is Sharp Health Plan leaving Medicare Advantage in 2027?
Yes. Sharp Health Plan's contract H5386 has no row anywhere in the CMS 2027 file, and industry reporting lists it among 11 insurers leaving individual Medicare Advantage. Sharp HealthCare's hospitals and medical groups are not closing; they contract with other insurers, including UnitedHealthcare's Sharp-network plans that continue in San Diego County for 2027.
What happens if my Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued?
Your plan ends December 31, 2026 and your Medicare itself continues. If you do nothing, you are in Original Medicare on January 1 with no drug coverage and no annual out-of-pocket cap. Choose a new plan between October 15 and December 7 so it starts January 1; a discontinued plan also gives you a Special Enrollment Period from December 8 to February 28 and a guaranteed-issue right to buy certain Medigap plans from November 1 through March 4.
How many Medicare Advantage plans are in San Diego County for 2027?
The CMS 2027 file lists 41 general Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage in San Diego County from 14 organizations, down from 54 and 17 in 2026. 32 of the 41 have a $0 plan premium. In-network out-of-pocket caps run from $295 to $9,850. Special needs plans rise from 33 to 39, and medical-only plans go from 6 to 5.
Is Aetna leaving San Diego County for 2027?
No. Five Aetna plans sold in the county in 2026 are not renewed for 2027, but Aetna Medicare Signature Legacy and Aetna Medicare Prime continue, a medical-only Aetna Medicare Eagle HMO is new, and a chronic-condition plan is added. Aetna members should read their own letter: a non-renewal notice and an Annual Notice of Change look alike and mean different things.
Can I get Medigap if my Medicare Advantage plan ends?
Generally yes. Medicare.gov says that when your Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare or stops serving your area, you have a guaranteed-issue right to buy Medigap Plan A, B, D, G, K or L (C or F if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020) with no health questions, applying as early as 60 days before your coverage ends and no later than 63 days after. For a December 31 end date that is November 1, 2026 through March 4, 2027. California also has a separate annual birthday rule for people already on Medigap.
Sources
- CMS — CY2027 Medicare Advantage / Part D Landscape file (zip) — the 2027 San Diego County rows; 41 general drug plans from 14 organizations.
- CMS — CY2026 Medicare Advantage / Part D Landscape file (zip) — the 2026 rows, premiums, caps and star ratings of the 22 departing plans.
- CMS — Monthly Enrollment by Contract/Plan/State/County, September 2026 (zip) — September 2026 enrollment by plan and county (30,291 on the departing plans).
- CMS — 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape, state-by-state fact sheets (Sept 28, 2026) — California: 7,243,867 enrolled; 394 MA plans vs 402; 10 PDPs.
- Word & Brown — Medicare Advantage insurer exits pile up for 2027 (summary of Modern Healthcare, Oct 1, 2026) — 11 insurers leaving individual MA, Sharp Health Plan among them.
- Sharp HealthCare — Medicare plans accepted by Sharp.
- 42 CFR § 422.506 — nonrenewal notice to each enrollee at least 90 days before.
- Medicare.gov — When a plan is no longer available in your area.
- 42 CFR § 422.62(b)(1) — Special Enrollment Period when a plan is discontinued in your area.
- Medicare.gov — Joining a plan (Oct 15–Dec 7 changes start January 1).
- Medicare.gov — When can I buy a Medigap policy? (guaranteed-issue rights) — 60 days before / 63 days after; Plans A, B, D, G, K, L.
- Medicare Plan Compare (Medicare.gov) — every plan available in your county.
