SCAN Is Leaving UC San Diego Health in 2027, and Regal's Contract Is Still Undecided

By Ashley Watson, licensed Medicare broker, San Diego County. Updated November 6, 2026.

If you see UC San Diego Health doctors and you're on a SCAN Medicare Advantage HMO, or your medical group is Regal Medical Group, the next few weeks matter a lot. Here's what's final, what isn't, and what you can do now.

Quick summary (updated November 6, 2026)

• SCAN: final. SCAN is ending its Medicare Advantage HMO contract with UC San Diego Health on January 1, 2027. UCSD stays in network through December 31, 2026.
• Regal: NOT final. UCSD currently lists its Regal Medical Group contract as scheduled to end January 1, 2027, but nothing is settled yet. I'm hoping to know more by the end of November, though there's no guarantee of an announcement by then. I'll update this post as soon as I hear anything.
• Your deadline: Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period ends December 7, 2026.

SCAN: what we know for sure

UC San Diego Health has posted on its Medicare page that SCAN is ending its SCAN Medicare Advantage HMO contract with UCSD effective January 1, 2027. UCSD says this was SCAN's decision. UCSD will stay in network for the rest of 2026. Starting January 1, it becomes an out-of-network provider for SCAN HMO members.

If you're on SCAN, this may feel familiar. Earlier in 2026, SCAN removed UCSD primary care doctors from its HMO network, and many members were moved to affiliated groups like Perlman Clinic or One Medical. On January 1, the rest of UCSD leaves SCAN's network too, including specialists, hospitals, and cancer care.

If you do nothing, your SCAN plan will simply renew. You'll keep the plan, but you won't keep UCSD.

Regal: what we know, and what we don't

UCSD's Medicare page currently lists its contract with Regal Medical Group as scheduled to end January 1, 2027. The key word is scheduled. Contracts between medical groups and health systems often go down to the wire, and some get extended or re-signed at the last minute.

I'm hoping to hear by the end of November whether Regal and UCSD reach a new agreement, but there's no guarantee a decision will be announced by then. Until we know more, please don't make changes based on the Regal news alone.

That said, don't sit still either. Even if news comes at the end of November, that leaves only about a week before the December 7 deadline, and it may come later than that. Use the time now to gather your information and know your Plan B. That way, if the news is bad, you can move quickly instead of scrambling.

Not sure if you're with Regal? Your medical group is usually printed on your member ID card. You can also call the member services number on the back of the card.

The bigger picture: very few Medicare Advantage paths into UCSD for 2027

Based on UCSD's own list of accepted Medicare plans, here's where things stand for 2027:

• SCAN HMO: leaving January 1, 2027 (final)
• Regal Medical Group: contract currently scheduled to end January 1, 2027 (not final; update hoped for by the end of November)
• Aetna Medicare PPO: Aetna is discontinuing all individual Medicare Advantage PPO plans in San Diego County for 2027. Read my post on the Aetna PPO exit
• Alignment and Humana PPOs: UCSD is not in network, but out-of-network benefits may apply
• Blue Shield 65 Plus HMO and Anthem Medicare HMO: UCSD specialists only, with a referral, and no UCSD primary care

So if your goal is "I want to keep my UCSD doctors," there's no longer a simple Medicare Advantage answer.

Your options if you want to stay with UCSD

1. Original Medicare + a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. UCSD accepts Original Medicare and Medigap plans. This is the most direct way to keep seeing UCSD doctors, with no network and no referrals. You'd also add a Part D drug plan. The trade-off is a monthly premium for the supplement. Also, depending on your health and situation, you may need to answer health questions to qualify. I can help you figure out where you stand before you change anything.

2. A Medicare Advantage PPO with out-of-network benefits. Some PPOs will cover UCSD out of network at a higher cost share. This can work for some people, but check the actual out-of-network costs before counting on it.

3. An HMO with UCSD specialty access. If you're fine with a non-UCSD primary care doctor and only need UCSD for certain specialists, an HMO with specialty-only access may work, as long as you get the referral first.

4. Stay with your current plan and switch doctors. If you love your plan's benefits more than you love your UCSD doctors, staying put is a fine choice. Just know your care team will change on January 1.

Your timeline

1. Now through mid-November: Check your mail for your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and any letters from SCAN or Regal. Make a list of your UCSD doctors and every prescription you take. If Medigap is on your radar, start now, because those applications take time.
2. By the end of November: Check back here for any Regal update. If there's still no news, don't wait. Plan as if the contract is ending, so you're covered either way.
3. By December 7, 2026: Enroll in your 2027 plan.

If you miss December 7, there is a backup window. From January 1 to March 31, people already on a Medicare Advantage plan can make one change. By then, though, you may already have spent weeks without in-network access to your UCSD doctors.

Frequently asked questions

Is SCAN leaving UC San Diego Health for sure?

Yes. UCSD has posted that SCAN is ending its Medicare Advantage HMO contract with UCSD effective January 1, 2027. UCSD remains in network through December 31, 2026.

Is Regal Medical Group leaving UC San Diego Health?

It isn't final. As of November 6, 2026, UCSD lists the Regal contract as scheduled to end January 1, 2027. An update is hoped for by the end of November, but that isn't guaranteed. This post will be updated as soon as there's news.

Can I keep my UCSD doctors with Original Medicare and a Medigap plan?

UCSD lists Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans as accepted. Depending on your health, you may need to answer health questions to qualify for a Medigap plan, so start early.

What happens if I don't change my plan?

Your current plan renews automatically on January 1. If you're on a SCAN HMO, UCSD will be out of network starting January 1, 2027, except for emergencies.

You're not alone in this

This is one of several major network changes hitting San Diego seniors this fall. If you're feeling whiplash, that's completely understandable. See all the 2027 changes in one place

I'm Ashley Watson, a licensed independent Medicare broker here in San Diego County. I work with all the major carriers, and my help costs you nothing. I'll compare your options side by side and tell you plainly what keeps your doctors and what doesn't.

Call or text (619) 947-2325
Book a time with me

Network information comes from UC San Diego Health's Medicare plans page as of November 6, 2026, and can change. Always confirm with your plan and your doctor's office before enrolling.