I’ve worked with San Fernando Valley seniors for 18 years, and I can tell you this with complete honesty:
If you’re choosing a Medicare plan based on a TV commercial or a door-hanger flyer, you could be making a $5,000+ mistake.
The Valley is home to more than 1.5 million people across Northridge, Encino, Tarzana, Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Chatsworth, and dozens of other communities. That includes over 222,000 Medicare beneficiaries — all with different doctors, hospitals, budgets, and health needs.
And here’s what most people don’t realize:
Your neighbor in Chatsworth may have completely different Medicare options than your friend in Studio City — not because the plans are different, but because the hospitals and doctors that accept those plans are different.
Let’s walk through what’s happening in the Valley right now, which Medicare plans actually work here in 2026, and how to avoid the biggest Medicare mistakes Valley seniors are making.
Breaking: The 2026 Providence Network Disruption Hitting the Valley
If you live near Tarzana or Mission Hills and you’re enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, this is critical.
As of January 1, 2026:
Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center is OUT of the UHC Medicare Advantage network
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center (Mission Hills) is OUT
Providence-affiliated medical groups (Facey, Axminster, Providence Medical Associates) are OUT
These are two of the top-rated hospitals in the Valley:
Providence Tarzana: #49 in California, #19 in Los Angeles
Holy Cross: America’s 50 Best Hospitals award
If you’re on UnitedHealthcare and these are your hospitals, you have until March 31, 2026 (Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period) to switch plans — or you’ll lose in-network access.
This is why hospital networks matter more than premiums.
Key Takeaways for Valley Seniors (Read This First)
If you only remember five things from this guide, make it these:
The Valley has outstanding hospitals — but not every plan includes them all.
UnitedHealthcare and Providence split in 2026 is a big deal.
LA County has some of the lowest Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket limits in the country.
There are 74 Medicare Advantage plans available in the Valley.
Medigap gives freedom. Medicare Advantage gives savings (usually).
The San Fernando Valley Medicare Landscape
The Valley has serious healthcare firepower:
Northridge Hospital Medical Center
America’s 50 Best Hospitals, accepts most major plans
Providence Tarzana & Holy Cross
Top-rated, no longer in UnitedHealthcare networks
Kaiser Woodland Hills & Panorama City
Kaiser-only closed system
West Hills Hospital, Sherman Oaks, Encino Hospital
Strong community care
What this means for your Medicare plan:
You don’t start with the plan — you start with the hospital.
Which hospital do you want to use?
Which medical groups serve that hospital?
Which plans contract with those groups?
That’s how you find the right plan.
Valley Demographics & What Seniors Actually Want
The Valley is:
More diverse
More working-class
More family-oriented
Younger than coastal LA
That means Valley seniors care about:
Value
Local networks
Dental & vision
Spanish-language support
Practical benefits
This is why plans like SCAN, Anthem, and Kaiser perform so well here.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in the San Fernando Valley (2026)
Kaiser Senior Advantage (4.5 Stars)
Best for:
People who want coordinated care and don’t mind using only Kaiser doctors and hospitals.
Avoid if:
You want access to Providence, Cedars-Sinai, UCLA, or Northridge.
SCAN Health Plan (4 Stars, Nonprofit)
Best for:
Valley seniors who want Providence access, strong dental, Part B givebacks, and low MOOPs.
Why SCAN stands out:
Includes Providence Tarzana & Holy Cross
Nonprofit
Expanding in 2026
Excellent Valley networks
Anthem Blue Cross
Best for:
People who want HMO or PPO options with wide Valley coverage.
Blue Shield of California (4 Stars)
Best for:
California-focused care with solid hospital access and wellness benefits.
UnitedHealthcare AARP (4 Stars)
Best for:
People who do NOT use Providence and want PPO or HMO-POS flexibility.
Avoid if:
You use Providence hospitals or medical groups.
Aetna (4.5 Stars)
Best for:
High-quality PPO options and strong ratings.
UCLA Health Medicare Advantage (New)
Best for:
People who want UCLA access and physician-led care.
Alignment Health Plan
Best for:
Tech-savvy seniors who like digital care tools.
Molina & WellCare (D-SNP)
Best for:
Dual-eligible seniors (Medicare + Medi-Cal).
When Medigap Makes More Sense in the Valley
Medicare Advantage networks change.
Medigap doesn’t.
Any doctor who accepts Medicare
No networks
No referrals
Nationwide access
Predictable costs
Typical Valley costs:
Plan G: $162–$250/month
High Deductible Plan G: $44–$88/month + $2,950 deductible
Who should choose Medigap:
Chronic conditions
Frequent travelers
Multiple specialists
People tired of network surprises
The Valley’s Secret Weapon: Low Out-of-Pocket Risk
National MOOP: $9,250
LA County average: $2,428
Some Valley plans: $1,500–$2,500
That’s massive protection if you have a bad health year.
What Valley Plans Offer in 2026
Part B givebacks (up to $185/month)
Dental up to $3,000
Vision & hearing aids
Gym memberships
Food cards
Transportation
In-home care
But benefits only matter if your doctors are in-network.
The Valley Decision Framework
Step 1: Choose your hospital
Step 2: Confirm your doctors
Step 3: Check your prescriptions
Step 4: Compare MOOP
Step 5: Decide flexibility vs savings
Special Situations
Dual-eligible: D-SNP plans
Spanish-speaking: SCAN, Molina
Chronic conditions: C-SNP plans
Under 65 on Medicare: Medigap guaranteed issue
If I Lived in the Valley, Here’s What I’d Do
Healthy & budget-focused → SCAN
Chronic conditions → Medigap Plan G
Want Medigap cheap → High Deductible G
Use Providence on UHC → Switch now
Want Kaiser → Kaiser Senior Advantage
Dual-eligible → D-SNP
Bottom Line for Valley Seniors
Networks matter more than premiums
UHC + Providence split is serious
Valley has great Medicare Advantage value
Medigap offers freedom
Your plan must match your life
Let’s Make This Simple
Medicare shouldn’t feel like a law school exam.
You deserve clear answers.
I’ve helped Valley seniors since 2007.
5,000+ clients.
40+ carriers.
Education, not pressure.
If you’re in Northridge, Encino, Tarzana, Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Chatsworth, Reseda, Canoga Park, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, Panorama City, North Hollywood, Studio City, Valley Village, Toluca Lake, or Burbank — let’s talk.
📞 631-358-5793
🌐 www.paulbinsurance.com
Because the right Medicare plan should work for your Valley lifestyle — not some corporate spreadsheet.
Paul Barrett
Independent Medicare Insurance Broker
The Modern Medicare Agency
Serving the San Fernando Valley Since 2007
