Medicare Advantage
A private plan approved by Medicare that provides Part A and Part B coverage. The plan choice is yours; HICAP gives free, unbiased help.
A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.
UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.
What to know
- Why it may fit
- Your current coverage, doctors, or medicines may affect whether this option fits.
- What to do next
- A private plan approved by Medicare that gives your Part A and Part B coverage. Joining one is your choice. HICAP gives free, unbiased help.
- Who runs it
- CMS / contracted plans
What the program may consider
- Medicare Parts A and B
- Plan serves Santa Clara County
- Doctors, medicines, pharmacies, costs and plan rules
- Permitted plan enrollment period
How to get it
A private plan approved by Medicare that gives your Part A and Part B coverage. Joining one is your choice. HICAP gives free, unbiased help.
Before you start
- You need this first Original Medicare. You need both Medicare Part A and Part B, and you must live in the plan's area.
How to apply
Request to join a Medicare health or drug plan
Only the person or their legal representative can ask to join. The plan's own phone line and website also take requests.
The same application can also ask for Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP), Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP / Medi-Medi), Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP) and Medicare Part D and other drug coverage.
- OnlineMedicare.gov plan finderSee the plans in your area. You can also ask to join a plan there.
- Phone1-800-MEDICARE: 1-800-633-4227
- PhoneHICAP free Medicare counseling: 1-800-434-0222Free, unbiased help with Medicare choices.
- PhoneSourcewise information line: (408) 350-3200Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ask for the program you need.
- Online formSourcewise HICAP counseling requestAsk for yourself or for someone else.
- In personHICAP counseling sitesSenior centers, libraries and community centers. Call the site or book online.
Getting help
You start this yourself
Only you can choose and join a plan. A guardian, or someone with legal power to make your health decisions, may join for you. Others can help, but the choice and the request must be yours. HICAP gives free, unbiased help.
Only you, or someone with legal authority for you, can sign.
What happens after you apply
You can join when you first get Medicare, or October 15 to December 7 each year. Moving or losing other coverage can give you another chance.
YouA helper can help with this
You choose a plan and ask to join. Use Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact the plan.
YouOnly you can do this
Your Medi-Cal plan may change to match. This happens when the same company also runs a Medi-Cal plan where you live.
If you also have Medi-Cal
The state
The plan checks your Medicare and your sign-up window. It may call you with questions.
Your health plan
The plan mails you a letter. It confirms you are in and says when coverage starts.
Your health planWithin 10 days after Medicare accepts the request.
The plan mails your member card. Show it when you get care, and keep your Medicare card too.
Your health planOnly you can do this
Coverage starts the first day of the next month. If you joined before your Medicare started, it starts with your Medicare. If you joined October 15 to December 7, it starts January 1.
Your health plan
What only you can do
- Choose a plan yourself, or through your legal representative. HICAP can explain your options for free.
- Sign the plan form, or agree by phone or online.
- How long it takes
- If you join before your Medicare starts, the plan starts when Medicare does. Otherwise it starts the first of the month after the plan gets your request. Changes made October 15 to December 7 start January 1.
- You are enrolled when
- You are enrolled when the plan's letter confirms your start date and you have its member card.
- To keep it
- You stay in the plan each year unless you change it or move away. From January 1 to March 31, you can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare one time. You keep Medicare Part A and Part B while in the plan.
Can’t be combined with
- Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). You cannot use a Medigap policy with a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Joining PACE ends a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Medicare GUIDE dementia care and caregiver respite. Joining a Medicare Advantage plan ends GUIDE, Medicare's dementia care program.
- Medicare Part D and other drug coverage. Joining a separate drug plan usually ends a Medicare Advantage plan. You go back to Original Medicare.
Coming changes
- Starting January 4, 2027: Some people who are not citizens lose Medicare on January 4, 2027. Citizens and green card holders keep it. So do Cuban or Haitian entrants and some Pacific island residents. Social Security writes first to people who will lose it. Their plan ends too.
Choosing a Medicare plan is your decision. UniHealth does not choose, recommend, or enroll anyone in Medicare plans. For free, unbiased help, call HICAP at 1-800-434-0222.