Medicare and Alvarado Hospital (now UC San Diego Health East Campus)

If you know the hospital on Alvarado Road in the College Area as Alvarado Hospital, here's an important update: it's now part of UC San Diego Health. In December 2023, UC San Diego Health acquired the facility and renamed it UC San Diego Health East Campus Medical Center. The location and its emergency and hospital services continue serving east San Diego — but its Medicare plan acceptance now follows UC San Diego Health's rules.

What the change means for your Medicare

Because the hospital is now part of UC San Diego Health, the way Medicare works there mirrors the rest of the UCSD system:

• Original Medicare and Medigap: UCSD accepts Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, which give you the broadest, most stable access to UCSD facilities and doctors that accept Medicare.
• Medicare Advantage: UCSD accepts only a limited set of Medicare Advantage plans, and that set has been narrowing for 2026. Whether a specific Advantage plan gets you in-network access — and for which services — depends on the plan and can change each year.

For the full picture of how coverage works across the UCSD system, see our page on UC San Diego Health and Medicare.

How to confirm your access

If you want to keep using this hospital under Medicare, it's worth confirming exactly how your plan lines up with UC San Diego Health before you enroll. As a licensed independent broker, I'll review your doctors and options across the carriers I work with, so there are no surprises — at no cost to you, since brokers are paid by the carriers.

Comparing systems? See our overview of San Diego hospitals and Medicare to understand how coverage works across Sharp, Scripps, UC San Diego Health, and Kaiser.

Serving east San Diego County, on your schedule

I'm a mobile, come-to-you Medicare broker serving the College Area, La Mesa, El Cajon, and the surrounding communities. If you have questions about this hospital and Medicare, reach out anytime.

Medicare with Ashley — (619) 947-2325

Frequently asked questions

Is Alvarado Hospital still open?

Yes. It's now called UC San Diego Health East Campus Medical Center, part of UC San Diego Health as of December 2023, at the same Alvarado Road location.

Does it still accept Medicare?

Yes. As part of UC San Diego Health, it accepts Original Medicare and Medigap plans, plus a limited set of Medicare Advantage plans.

Will my Medicare Advantage plan still work there?

It depends on your plan. UCSD's in-network Advantage acceptance narrowed for 2026, so confirm your specific plan before relying on it.

Is there a cost to have you review my options?

No. Independent brokers are paid by the carriers.