San Diego Hospitals and Medicare: Keeping Your Doctors

In San Diego, the Medicare choice you make is really a choice about where you can get care. Each major hospital system accepts Medicare differently, and some have changed which plans they take. Below is a plain-English guide to how Medicare works with the region's largest systems — and how to keep the doctors and hospitals you want.

One idea ties these together: Original Medicare paired with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan generally gives you the widest, most stable access across systems that accept Medicare, while Medicare Advantage plans use networks that can change from year to year. Which is right for you depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget.

Major San Diego health systems

• Sharp HealthCare and Medicare — how Original Medicare, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage work with Sharp's hospitals and doctors.
• Scripps Health and Medicare — why keeping Scripps now usually points toward Medigap, and how to keep your Scripps doctors.
• UC San Diego Health and Medicare — what UCSD's narrower 2026 plan acceptance means for your access.
• Kaiser Permanente and Medicare — why Kaiser is different and how to stay in the Kaiser system.

Not sure which applies to you?

If you're not certain how your current plan lines up with the hospital you want to use, that's exactly what I help with. As a licensed independent broker, I'll review your doctors and options across the carriers I work with, at no cost to you — independent brokers are compensated by the insurance 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 San Diego County, on your schedule

I'm a mobile, come-to-you Medicare broker serving the South Bay, Chula Vista, National City, El Cajon, and North County. If you have questions about your hospital and Medicare, reach out anytime.

Medicare with Ashley — (619) 947-2325

Frequently asked questions

Which San Diego hospitals accept Medicare?

San Diego's major systems — including Sharp, Scripps, UC San Diego Health, and Kaiser — all work with Medicare, but they accept different types of plans in different ways. The pages above explain each one.

Will my Medicare plan let me keep my current hospital?

It depends on your plan type and the system. Original Medicare with a Medigap plan offers the broadest access, while Medicare Advantage depends on that plan's network, which can change each year.

What's the most flexible way to keep my San Diego doctors?

For most people who want to move freely across San Diego systems, Original Medicare paired with a Medigap plan provides the most stable access. The right choice still depends on your specific situation.

Is there a cost to have you review my options?

No. Independent brokers are paid by the insurance carriers, so there's no charge to you.