The bottom line: SCAN Health Plan offers low-cost Medicare Advantage plans, all of which score at least a 4 out of 5 on government quality ratings. It's only available in six states, however, and ratings on member experience measures aren’t good. Jump to: Full Review
SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage pros and cons
Pros
- Quality ratings: Every Medicare Advantage plan from SCAN Health Plan gets a quality rating of 4 out of 5 or better from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
- $0-premium plans: Nearly all SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans have $0 premiums.
- Out-of-pocket costs: SCAN Health Plan has far lower caps on out-of-pocket costs than competitors, on average.
Cons
- Mediocre customer ratings: SCAN Medicare Advantage plans score below average on measures of member experience.
- Network issues: Members leaving SCAN Health Plan often said they had “problems with coverage of doctors and hospitals” on surveys.
- Only HMOs: SCAN Health Plan offers only HMO plans, which generally provide the least flexibility when seeking medical care.
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Our full review
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NerdWallet’s Medicare content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in Medicare. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Nasdaq, MSN, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance and other national and regional media outlets. They have been cited in publications including Healthline, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast.
NerdWallet star rating for SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage
SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans earned 4.3 out of 5 stars for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account premiums, out-of-pocket costs, government quality ratings, customer complaints, disenrollment survey data, third party quality accreditation and more.
NerdWallet star ratings are different from CMS ratings for Medicare plans.
Our data-driven, consumer-first scoring rubric for Medicare Advantage plans includes crucial metrics like cost and a wider range of data sources for quality and customer satisfaction in addition to the information incorporated into CMS ratings.
Government quality ratings for SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage
Average CMS star rating, weighted by enrollment: 4.01
SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans are rated at the industry average, receiving an average quality rating of 4.01 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2026, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted star rating for all companies is 4.02.
100% of SCAN Health Plan members in rated plans have a plan with a CMS rating of 4 stars or higher for 2026.
CMS maintains its own database of star ratings, which rank each plan from best (5 stars) to worst (1 star). The agency bases these ratings on plans’ quality of care and measurements of customer satisfaction, and ratings may change from year to year.
All Medicare Advantage plans are evaluated on health plan measures, and Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage are also evaluated on drug plan measures.
You can find a plan’s rating with Medicare's plan finding tool.
How much does SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage cost?
Premiums
About 87% of SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 premium.
SCAN Health Plan plans with a premium cost about $29.62 per month, on average, weighted by enrollment.
With any Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll also be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium, which is at least $202.90 per month in 2026.
Most people pay this standard amount, but if your income is above a certain threshold, you’ll pay the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). Some Medicare Advantage plans pay some or all of your Part B premium.
Prescription drugs
100% of SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage.
Here’s what you might pay for prescription drugs at some common price points.
Tier 1 (Preferred generics) 100% of SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans have $0 copays/coinsurance.
$0: Out-of-pocket cost for all Tier 1 drugs among SCAN Medicare Advantage plans (after deductible, if any).
Tier 2 (Most generics) 99% of SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans have $0 copays/coinsurance.
$4.50: Average out-of-pocket cost for a drug with a $50 retail price, among SCAN plans with copays or coinsurance at Tier 2 (after deductible, if any).
Tier 3 (Preferred brands) None of SCAN Health Plan's Medicare Advantage plans have $0 copays/coinsurance.
$42.67: Average out-of-pocket cost for a drug with a $200 retail price, among SCAN plans with copays or coinsurance at Tier 3 (after deductible, if any).
Other out-of-pocket costs
SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans have an average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) spending cap of $1,563, weighted by enrollment. That’s far lower than average among the companies NerdWallet reviews.
Requirements for copays, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on your plan, location and the services you use. Other out-of-pocket costs to consider include:
Whether the plan covers any part of your monthly Medicare Part B premium.
The plan’s yearly deductibles and other deductibles, such as a drug deductible.
Copayments and/or coinsurance for each visit or service. For instance, there may be a $10 copay for seeing your primary doctor and a $45 copay for seeing a specialist.
The plan’s in-network and out-of-network out-of-pocket maximums.
Whether your medical providers are in network or out of network, or how often you may go out of network for care.
Whether you require extra benefits, and whether the plan charges for them.
To get a sense of costs, Medicare.gov and most other Medicare shopping tools can help you compare plans' premiums and out-of-pocket costs for certain services and prescription drugs in your location.
Why do people leave SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans?
CMS surveys people who voluntarily leave their Medicare plans about their reasons for leaving. Here’s the breakdown of problems people identified with their former SCAN Health Plan Medicare plans.
Problems getting covered care: 16% (All-company average: 11%).
Problems with doctor/hospital networks: 30% (All-company average: 17%).
Financial issues: 6% (All-company average: 17%).
Problems with prescription drug benefits: 7% (All-company average: 3%).
Problems getting information from the plan: 11% (All-company average: 9%).
(Members can give more than one reason for leaving on the survey and might leave plans for other reasons, so the categories won’t add up to 100%.)
SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plan types
SCAN Health Plan offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans.
Plan offerings include the following types:
A health maintenance organization (HMO) generally requires that you use a specific network of doctors and hospitals. You may need a referral from your primary doctor in order to see a specialist, and out-of-network benefits are usually very limited.
Special needs plans (SNPs) restrict membership to people with certain diseases or characteristics. Hence, the benefits, network and drug formularies are tailored to the needs of those members. SCAN Health Plan offers three types of SNPs:
Chronic Condition SNP: Designed to meet the needs of members living with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes, congestive heart failure and cardiovascular disease.
Dual-Eligible SNP: For people who are entitled to Medicare and who also qualify for assistance from a state Medicaid program.
Institutional SNP: For people living in a SCAN Health Plan network nursing home or assisted living community, or another plan-approved spot.
Third-party ratings of SCAN Health Plan
JD Power Ranking
JD Power releases an annual study measuring member satisfaction with Medicare Advantage plans. It uses eight factors, such as level of trust, ability to get health services, ease of doing business and resolving problems or complaints.
On these measures, SCAN Health Plan ranked second out of eight major providers in California (the only state in which SCAN had enough market share to be considered).
SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage service area
SCAN Health Plan offers Medicare Advantage plans in six states: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Washington.
SCAN Health Plan covers nearly 440,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.
About SCAN Health Plan
Scan Health Plan is part of the SCAN Group, which began as the Long Beach Geriatric Health Care System — a not-for-profit that was founded in 1977 with the mission of keeping seniors healthy and independent. SCAN Health Plan offers Medicare Advantage plans.
SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage customer service
Here’s how SCAN Health Plan members can contact customer service:
Call a SCAN member services advocate at 800-559-3500 (TTY: 711). From Oct. 1 to March 31, services are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. From April 1 to Sept. 30, services are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Compare Medicare Advantage companies
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage insurance companies. These insurers offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.
Find the right Medicare Advantage plan
It’s important to do your research before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan for yourself. Here are some questions to consider asking:
What are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?
Is your doctor in-network? If you have preferred medical providers, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.
Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, it’s crucial to understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?
Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?
Are there extras? Does the plan offer any extra benefits, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
- Every plan gets government quality ratings of at least 4 out of 5.
- Nearly all plans have $0 premiums.
- Very low average caps on maximum out-of-pocket costs.
- Member experience ratings are below average.
- Disenrolling members often report "problems with coverage of doctors and hospitals."
- Only HMO plans.
Frequently asked questions
SCAN Health Plan offers only HMO plans, which usually require you to get care from medical providers in the plan’s network. They may also require a referral from your primary doctor if you want to see a specialist.
Original Medicare is federal government-provided health insurance for people 65 and older and younger people with certain conditions or disabilities. SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage is a bundled alternative to Original Medicare, provided by a private insurer, that offers the same coverage as Original Medicare and includes prescription drug coverage.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. 2026 Star Ratings Data Tables. Accessed Apr 29, 2026.
- 2.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. Monthly Enrollment by Plan. Accessed Apr 29, 2026.
- 3.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. CY2026 Landscape 202603. Accessed Apr 29, 2026.
- 4.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans. Accessed Apr 29, 2026.
- 5.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. Beneficiary Cost File. Accessed Apr 29, 2026.
- 6.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. 2026 Star Ratings Data Table - Disenrollment Reasons (Oct 8 2025). Accessed Apr 29, 2026.
- 7.JD Power. Medicare Advantage Plan Member Satisfaction Facing Headwinds; Digital Innovation an Emerging New Solution, JD Power Finds. Accessed Apr 29, 2026.
Medicare Advantage review methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage ratings are based on premiums, out-of-pocket costs, prescription drug coverage, quality data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, consumer experience and more. We calculate each health insurance company’s rating on a curved 5-point scale.
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed companies covering about 87% of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in the United States. We reviewed 25 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurance companies having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.)
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies. In many places, one company serves more than half of the market. At the national level, NerdWallet’s reviews include each of the 10 largest brands by enrollment.
At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in every state where Medicare Advantage plans are sold, and includes the top two insurers in 40 of those 49 states. (Alaska doesn't offer Medicare Advantage plans.) We also look at online search volume to identify regional and other notable players in the space.
These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans
Insurance company | CMS star rating | States available | Members in high-rated plans | Member experience | Learn more | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 4.11 | 4.11/5 | 48 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.74 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.79 | 3.79/5 | 46 states and Washington, D.C. | Low (49% or less) | 3.82 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet | 4.20 | 4.20/5 | 43 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.89 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.76 | 3.76/5 | 29 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.96 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |