The bottom line: SCAN Health Plan offers low-cost Medicare Advantage plans that get solid star ratings from CMS for 2026. 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
- Members in well-rated plans: Every SCAN Health Plan member is in a plan rated 4 stars or better out of 5, if the plan is rated.
- Low-cost plans: Nearly all SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans have $0 premiums. They also have lower average maximum out-of-pocket costs than most competitors.
- Expanded benefits: While many companies have scaled back benefits for 2026, SCAN Health Plan says it’s expanding provider networks and pharmacy, dental and vision coverage.
Cons
- Limited availability: SCAN Health Plan offers Medicare Advantage plans in just six states: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Washington.
- Only HMOs: SCAN Health Plan offers only HMO plans, which generally provide the least flexibility when seeking medical care.
- Mediocre customer ratings: SCAN Medicare Advantage plans score below average on measures of member experience.
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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SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage star rating
Average star rating, weighted by enrollment: 4.01
SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans are rated above the industry average, receiving an average 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 plans from all providers is 3.98.
CMS maintains star ratings for Medicare Advantage plans on a 5-point scale, ranking plans 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.
You can find a plan’s rating with the Medicare plan finding tool.
How much does SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage cost?
For 2026, 87% of SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plans have $0 premiums. The company's plans with premiums cost an average of $30.50 per month. You'll also be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium, which is $185 per month in 2025.
(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 cover part or all of your Part B premium.)
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 any 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 if the plan charges for them.
Here are examples of SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage costs for three plans in a mid-range city:
SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
SCAN Classic (HMO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $1,500. Copays:
Dental allowance: $3,000. |
SCAN MyChoice (HMO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $1,999. Copays:
Dental allowance: Preventive only. |
SCAN Balance (HMO C-SNP) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $1,500. Copays:
Dental allowance: $3,000. |
Selected plans are available in ZIP code 94536. *Inpatient hospital copay is per day for days 1-5. | |
| |
To get a sense of costs, use Medicare’s plan-finding tool to compare information among available plans in your area. You can select by insurance carrier to see only SCAN Health Plan plans or compare across carriers.
SCAN Health Plan Medicare Advantage plan types
SCAN Health Plan offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans.
Plan offerings include the following types:
- HMO plans
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.
- SNPs
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
J.D. Power Ranking
J.D. 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 more than 300,000 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 providers. 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 a preferred medical provider or 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 member is in a plan rated 4 stars or better, if they're in a rated plan.
- Nearly all plans have $0 premiums.
- Expanded provider networks and pharmacy, dental and vision coverage, according to the company.
- Available in only 6 states.
- Only HMO plans.
- Member experience ratings are below average.
Frequently asked questions
Is SCAN a PPO or HMO?
Is SCAN a PPO or HMO?
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.
What is the difference between Medicare and SCAN Medicare Advantage?
What is the difference between Medicare and SCAN Medicare Advantage?
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.
Article sources
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.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2026 Star Ratings Data Tables. Accessed Oct 17, 2025.
- 2.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY 2026 Landscape (202509). Accessed Oct 17, 2025.
- 3.J.D. Power. Medicare Advantage Plan Member Satisfaction Facing Headwinds; Digital Innovation an Emerging New Solution, J.D. Power Finds. Accessed Oct 17, 2025.
- 4.Chartis. Medicare Advantage market growth slows amid intensified headwinds. Accessed Oct 17, 2025.
Medicare Advantage review methodology
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies. In many places, one insurer serves more than half of the market. NerdWallet’s editorial team reviewed 25 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurers having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.) At the national level, these 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.
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as pricing, plan availability by state, plan types available, consumer experience, extra benefits offered and more. 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.10 | 4.10/5 | 48 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.76 (Above average) | (855) 821-0556 / TTY 711 Call UnitedHealthcarefrom UnitedHealthcare | |
3.61 | 3.61/5 | 46 states and Washington, D.C. | Low (49% or less) | 3.61 (Above average) | from Humana | |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet | 4.19 | 4.19/5 | 43 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.88 (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 | 3.68 | 3.68/5 | 29 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 askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |