California › Merced County
Medicare plans in Merced County, California
2026 plans. Other years: 2026 · 2027
Where to start
This page lists every Medicare plan sold in Merced County for 2026, sorted from the lowest cost each month. They're in four tables below, by the kind of coverage. Jump to the one that fits you. Under each table, Compare these plans opens the same plans in our plan list, where you can add your prescriptions, narrow the list and compare plans side by side.
- Medicare Advantage with drug coverage (7 plans)
- Part D drug plans (12 plans)
- Special needs plans (9 plans)
- Medicare Advantage without drug coverage (1 plan)
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement) prices
Not sure which you need? Most people choose either a Medicare Advantage plan, which usually includes drug coverage, or Original Medicare with a Part D drug plan and often a Medigap policy to pay what Medicare leaves.
What would these plans cost you? Try the calculator → It's set to Merced County. Add your age, health and drugs to see what each kind of plan would cost you next year and over the years ahead.
The best plan here for…
- A low monthly premium
- Money back on your Part B premium
- The lowest cost in a bad year
- Dental coverage
- A high star rating
- Seeing doctors outside a network
- The lowest-priced Medigap Plan G
No plan is best for everyone, so we pick one for each of these and explain why. All our picks in Merced County
At a glance
- 8 Medicare Advantage plans are open to anyone with Medicare here; 6 charge no monthly premium.
- 4 give back part of your Part B premium, up to $115 a month.
- The lowest yearly limit on what you pay for in-network care is $296.
- 12 Part D drug plans, from $0 to $227.80 a month.
Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage 7
Medical and drug coverage in one plan, open to anyone with Medicare who lives here. This is what most people mean by a Medicare Advantage plan.
| Plan | Network | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alignment Health smartHMO (HMO) Alignment Health Plan · H3815-040-000 | HMO | $0/moGives back $115/mo of your Part B premium | $3,999 | 4.0★ |
| Imperial Dynamic Plan (HMO) Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc. · H5496-012-000 | HMO | $0/moGives back $35/mo of your Part B premium | $296 | 3.5★ |
| Alignment Health the ONE + Walgreens (HMO) Alignment Health Plan · H3815-035-000 | HMO | $0/moGives back $1.50/mo of your Part B premium | $999 | 4.0★ |
| Alignment Health My Choice CalCare (HMO) Alignment Health Plan · H3815-050-000 | HMO | $0/mo | $3,499 | 4.0★ |
| Alignment Health Honor+ Plan (HMO) Alignment Health Plan · H3815-052-000 | HMO | $0/mo | $9,250 | 4.0★ |
| Blue Shield Inspire (HMO) Blue Shield of California · H0504-047-000 | HMO | $58/mo | $5,300 | 4.0★ |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0010 (HMO-POS) UnitedHealthcare · H0543-140-000 | HMO-POS | $89/mo | $6,700 | 4.0★ |
Part D drug plans 12
Standalone drug coverage, for people who keep Original Medicare (often with a Medigap policy). Drug plans are sold for a whole region, so the same plans are sold throughout California.
| Plan | Premium | Drug deductible | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|
| HealthSpring Assurance Rx (PDP) Cigna Healthcare · S5617-158-000 | $0/mo | $615 | 2.5★ |
| Wellcare Value Script (PDP) Wellcare · S4802-163-000 | $5.70/mo | $615 | 3.5★ |
| Wellcare Classic (PDP) Wellcare · S4802-094-000 | $6.20/mo | $615 | 3.5★ |
| HealthSpring Extra Rx (PDP) Cigna Healthcare · S5617-382-000 | $70.60/mo | $615 | 2.5★ |
| SilverScript Choice (PDP) Aetna Medicare · S5601-064-000 | $103.60/mo | $615 | 3★ |
| Humana Value Rx Plan (PDP) Humana · S5884-211-000 | $104.60/mo | $601 | 3★ |
| AARP Medicare Rx Saver from UHC (PDP) UnitedHealthcare · S5921-376-000 | $109.40/mo | $615 | 2★ |
| Humana Basic Rx Plan (PDP) Humana · S5884-114-000 | $132.20/mo | $615 | 3★ |
| AARP Medicare Rx Preferred from UHC (PDP) UnitedHealthcare · S5921-413-000 | $165.40/mo | $130 | 2★ |
| Humana Premier Rx Plan (PDP) Humana · S5884-178-000 | $172.90/mo | None | 3★ |
| Blue Shield Rx Plus (PDP) Blue Shield of California · S2468-003-000 | $199.70/mo | $615 | 3★ |
| Blue Shield Rx Enhanced (PDP) Blue Shield of California · S2468-004-000 | $227.80/mo | None | 3★ |
Special needs plans 9
Medicare Advantage plans built for people with particular needs, and open only to people who have them. If one of the three below describes you, these are often worth a look before a general plan. Each row says who can join.
Who special needs plans are for
- D-SNP: you have Medicaid as well as Medicare (sometimes called "dual eligible" or "Medi-Medi").
- C-SNP: you have a chronic condition the plan is built around, such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic lung disease or dementia. The plan checks with your doctor.
- I-SNP: you live in a nursing home or similar facility, or need that level of care at home.
Why people choose them
- Care built around you. Most assign a care coordinator, and many run clinical programs for the condition they serve: diabetes education and supplies, heart or lung monitoring, medication reviews, or doctors who visit you in a facility.
- Often more generous extras. Many offer larger allowances than general plans for groceries, over-the-counter items, transportation, meals or utilities. Compare the figures; they vary widely from plan to plan.
- Lower costs for many members. With full Medicaid, a D-SNP member usually pays nothing for care Medicare covers.
The catch: you have to qualify, and the plan will check, for example your Medicaid status or a doctor's confirmation of your condition. If you're not sure, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) gives free, unbiased advice.
| Plan | Network | Who can join | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial Senior Value (HMO C-SNP) Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc. · H5496-005-000 | HMO | Only for people with certain chronic conditionsDiabetes, Heart | $0/moGives back $25/mo of your Part B premium | $296 | 3.5★ |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes (HMO C-SNP) Alignment Health Plan · H3815-010-000 | HMO | Only for people with certain chronic conditionsDiabetes, Heart | $0/mo | $1,499 | 4.0★ |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Care (HMO C-SNP) Alignment Health Plan · H3815-048-000 | HMO | Only for people with certain chronic conditionsDiabetes, Heart | $0/mo | $1,990 | 4.0★ |
| Anthem Kidney Care (PPO C-SNP) Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company · H8552-028-000 | PPO | Only for people with certain chronic conditionsKidney | $0/mo | $9,250 | 2.5★ |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Choice (HMO C-SNP) Alignment Health Plan · H3815-051-000 | HMO | Only for people with certain chronic conditionsDiabetes, Heart | $0.70/mo | $9,250 | 4.0★ |
| TotalCare (HMO D-SNP) Central California Alliance for Health · H5692-001-000 | HMO | Only for people who have Medicaid as well as Medicare | $5.50/mo | $9,250 | Not yet rated |
| Alignment Health BreathEasy (HMO C-SNP) Alignment Health Plan · H3815-041-000 | HMO | Only for people with certain chronic conditionsLung | $12/moGives back $5/mo of your Part B premium | $9,250 | 4.0★ |
| Alignment Health Clarity (HMO C-SNP) Alignment Health Plan · H3815-042-000 | HMO | Only for people with certain chronic conditionsMental health, Substance use | $12/moGives back $5/mo of your Part B premium | $9,250 | 4.0★ |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes CalPlus (HMO C-SNP) Alignment Health Plan · H3815-039-000 | HMO | Only for people with certain chronic conditionsDiabetes, Heart | $12/mo | $9,250 | 4.0★ |
PACE
PACE isn't a special needs plan, but it isn't open to everyone either: it is for people 55 and older who need a nursing-home level of care and can live safely at home with its help. Sold here: Central Valley PACE - Dual Eligible (PACE), Central Valley PACE - Medicare Only (PACE).
Medicare Advantage plans without drug coverage 1
Medical coverage only. These suit people who get their drugs elsewhere, such as from the VA or an employer, since you generally can't add a separate Part D plan to them.
| Plan | Network | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial Courage Plan (HMO) Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc. · H5496-016-000 | HMO | $0/moGives back $75/mo of your Part B premium | $2,999 | 3.5★ |
Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
A Medigap policy pays some or all of what Original Medicare leaves you owing, and works with any doctor who takes Medicare. The coverage of each plan letter is the same whichever company sells it; only the price differs.
- Plan G: $191–$563/mo from 16 companies, at age 65.
- Plan N: $146–$415/mo from 15 companies, at age 65.
Discussion
Questions and experiences from other visitors. Comment guidelines
Loading the discussion…