Your trusted guide to navigating one of the most complex Medicare markets in the country.
Why Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan in Los Angeles Is So Unique
Los Angeles County is home to over 50 Medicare Advantage plans, dozens of medical groups, and some of the most prestigious hospital systems in the world. This makes LA a rich market for choices — but also one of the hardest places to compare plans on your own.
What makes LA Medicare especially challenging:
- Doctor networks vary greatly by ZIP code
- Cedars, UCLA, USC, and Providence each have unique MA contracts
- HMOs dominate, but PPO access is expanding
- Supplemental benefits differ significantly between carriers
- Plans change every single year
This article breaks everything down in a clear, practical, and LA-specific way.
How We Evaluated the Best Plans (Our Process)
Instead of ranking plans based on TV ads or star ratings, we evaluate what actually matters to consumers:
We reviewed each carrier based on:
- Doctor & hospital access
- HMO vs. PPO availability
- Monthly premiums & MOOP
- Copays for specialists, hospitals, and urgent care
- Part D prescription coverage
- Dental/vision/hearing benefits
- Customer satisfaction
- Year-over-year stability
But here’s the most important part:
Medicare Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
A plan can look “perfect” on paper — even with 5 stars — but still be a terrible fit for your doctors, your medications, or your health needs.
That’s why at The Modern Medicare Agency:
- We offer many more carriers than what’s listed below.
- We do NOT push people into any particular company.
- We always start with a Getting-to-Know-You conversation.
Because in Medicare:
There is no “best plan overall.”
There is only the best plan for you — based on your needs, your doctors, and your budget.
This sets you apart as an ethical and personalized Medicare educator.
Before We Dive In: Best Plans by LA Region (2026)
(This section skyrockets SEO because it speaks to neighborhoods directly.)
| LA Region | Top-Performing Options | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica / West LA | Blue Shield PPO, UHC PPO | Strong access to UCLA & Providence |
| San Fernando Valley | SCAN, Anthem | HMO stronghold, large medical groups |
| Pasadena / Glendale / Burbank | Kaiser, Anthem | Excellent integrated + group access |
| Long Beach / South Bay | SCAN, UHC | Good mix of HMO + PPO options |
| Downtown / East LA | Alignment, SCAN | Competitive benefits & accessible networks |
Each neighborhood behaves like a completely different Medicare market
Quick Snapshot: Best Medicare Advantage Options for 2026
| Carrier | Best For | Highlights in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| SCAN Health Plan | Most seniors | Strong benefits, local focus, high satisfaction |
| Kaiser Permanente | Streamlined, integrated care | One system, excellent preventive care |
| Blue Shield of California | PPO access | Great for Cedars/UCLA patients |
| UnitedHealthcare | Wide networks multi-state access | Ideal for travelers PPO users |
| Anthem Blue Cross | Specialist-heavy care | Great network alignment |
| Alignment Health | Tech-friendly, concierge care | Strong chronic care support |
| Molina Healthcare | Medicare + Medi-Cal members | Robust DSNP benefits |
Carrier-by-Carrier Breakdown — 2026 Deep Dive
SCAN Health Plan (HMO-Focused)
Why SCAN works well in LA:
- Very strong relationships with LA medical groups
- Excellent preventive and chronic care programs
- Rich supplemental benefits
- High member retention
2026 Pros:
- Often low copays
- Competitive dental/vision
- Strong customer satisfaction
- Very stable across ZIP codes
Best For:
Seniors wanting predictable HMO care and strong benefits.
Considerations:
✘ Not ideal for travelers
✘ HMO only
Kaiser Permanente
Why Kaiser shines:
- Fully integrated provider + plan model
- Consistently top-rated for quality
- Excellent disease management
2026 Pros:
Simplified care under one umbrella
Easy referrals and coordination
High preventive care scores
Best For:
Those who want care that is coordinated, predictable, and convenient.
Considerations:
✘ Must use Kaiser doctors
✘ No PPO flexibility
Blue Shield of California (PPO & HMO)
Why Blue Shield matters in LA:
- Arguably the strongest PPO offering among MA plans
- Great for Cedars-Sinai, UCLA, and specialty care
- Good balance of freedom + structure
2026 Pros:
PPO flexibility
Strong specialist access
Travel-friendly
Best For:
Seniors who want freedom to choose their doctors.
Considerations:
✘ PPO premiums may be higher
✘ Must watch out-of-network costs
UnitedHealthcare
Why UHC is strong:
- One of the largest networks in the country
- Strong PPO availability
- Good for multi-state care (snowbirds)
2026 Pros:
Wide doctor access
Stable benefits
Competitive supplemental benefits
Best For:
People who want maximum choice.
Considerations:
✘ Benefits vary heavily by ZIP code
✘ Dental benefits differ by plan
Anthem Blue Cross
Why Anthem matters:
- Great for LA specialists
- Strong medical group partnerships
- Competitive HMO offerings
2026 Pros:
Easy specialist access
Strong network footprint
Good for chronic conditions
Best For:
Those who use multiple specialists.
Considerations:
✘ Limited PPO options
Alignment Health
Why Alignment is growing fast:
- Concierge “Black Card” program
- Tech-friendly membership
- Great for chronic condition management
2026 Pros:
White-glove service model
Great extras
Competitive benefits
Best For:
People want a modern, high-touch care experience.
Considerations:
✘ Smaller networks than SCAN/UHC
Molina Healthcare (DSNP)
Why Molina matters:
- One of the strongest DSNP offerings statewide
- Good supplemental benefits for dual-eligible members
Best For:
Seniors with both Medicare + Medi-Cal.
Considerations:
✘ Not ideal for non-duals
✘ Narrow network
Which Plan Should YOU Choose? (Simple Guidance)
(Use icons and a decision-tree layout)
“I want Cedars or UCLA.”
→ Blue Shield PPO or UHC PPO
“I want the lowest copays possible.”
→ SCAN or Anthem HMO
“I want simple, coordinated care.”
→ Kaiser
“I travel or live part-year out of state.”
→ UHC PPO or Blue Shield PPO
“I have Medicare + Medi-Cal.”
→ Molina DSNP, Alignment DSNP, or Anthem DSNP
Common Mistakes LA Seniors Make (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing based on commercials
- Choosing based on premium only
- Assuming Cedars/UCLA are in-network
- Not checking their medical group alignment
- Ignoring Part D drug lists
- Not reviewing plans yearly
- Choosing a plan a friend uses (bad idea!)
Why Personalized Advice Matters — A LOT
The “best plan” on paper might not be the best plan for YOU.
You explain:
- Plans vary by ZIP code
- Doctor networks vary by medical group
- Prescriptions drastically affect the best choice
- The popular plan might not cover your doctors
- A 5-star plan might be terrible for your medications
- Your needs may not match marketing hype
This is where you add:
This is why we offer ALL carriers — not just the popular ones.
Every client starts with a friendly Getting-to-Know-You conversation.
Because the right Medicare plan must fit:
- Your doctors
- Your prescriptions
- Your specialists
- Your budget
- Your health needs
- Your lifestyle
No shortcuts. No assumptions. No pressure.
Ready to Compare Plans the Right Way?
Choosing a Medicare Advantage plan in Los Angeles is complicated.
But with the right guidance, it becomes simple — even empowering.
Get a free, personalized plan comparison
I’ll check your doctors, medications, and ZIP-code options to find the best plan for YOU.
Call Paul Barrett: 631-358-5793
