Understanding Medicare Special Needs Plans in Pima County, Arizona
Pima County, AZ offers 32 Special Needs Plans (SNPs) in 2026, including 17 with no monthly premium. Currently, about 33,335 beneficiaries are enrolled, and 28% of SNPs have a 4-star rating or higher. These plans are designed for Medicare beneficiaries who meet special eligibility criteria, such as dual coverage, qualifying chronic conditions, or residence in a long-term care facility.
Page last revised:
Enrollment data refreshed: May 2, 2026
* Each year CMS evaluates Medicare Advantage plans on a 5-star scale. Data sources
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs)
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) are designed for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. These plans coordinate benefits to reduce costs and provide access to additional support services.
- Total D-SNP Plans: 8
- Average Premium: $15.76/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled: 24,276
- $0 Premium D-SNPs: 0
- Zero Cost D-SNP Plans: 8
- Most Popular D-SNP: UHC Dual Complete AZ-S001 (D-SNP) with 17,931 enrollees
- D-SNPs Without Drug Coverage: 0
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | Network | CMS Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Medicare Advantage Dual | $17 | HMO D-SNP | H4931 015 0 | |
| Banner Medicare Advantage Dual | $17 | HMO D-SNP | H4931 007 0 | |
| UHC Dual Complete AZ-S001 | $12 | HMO-POS D-SNP | H0321 002 0 | |
| UHC Dual Complete AZ-Y001 | $17 | HMO-POS D-SNP | H0321 004 0 | |
| Wellcare Arizona Complete Health Dual Align | $14 | HMO D-SNP | H5590 010 0 | |
| Wellcare Dual Liberty Sync | $17 | HMO D-SNP | H5590 008 0 | |
| Mercy Care Advantage | $17 | HMO D-SNP | H5580 004 0 | |
| Mercy Care Advantage | $15 | HMO D-SNP | H5580 005 0 |
What D-SNP plan has the highest enrollment in Pima County?
UHC Dual Complete AZ-S001 (D-SNP) is the most popular D-SNP in Pima County, with 17,931 enrollees.
What is the total number of D-SNP options in Pima County?
There are 8 D-SNP plans in 2026, covering 24,276 beneficiaries.
Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNPs)
These plans cater to individuals residing in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, or those requiring extended skilled nursing facility care at home. The CMS website provides more information about I-SNPs and their coverage details.
- Total I-SNP Plans
- 5
- Average Premium
- $3.60/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled
- 1,047
- $0 Premium I-SNPs
- 3
- Average MOOP
- $9,200
- Most Popular I-SNP
- SCAN Embrace (I-SNP) with 446 enrollees
- I-SNPs Without Drug Coverage
- 0
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | Network | CMS Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCAN Embrace | $0 | HMO-POS I-SNP | H1822 005 0 | |
| SCAN Embrace Together | $1 | HMO-POS I-SNP | H1822 008 0 | |
| UHC Nursing Home Plan AZ-F001 | $17 | PPO I-SNP | H0710 005 0 | |
| Wellpoint I CareMore Home Care 2 | $0 | HMO I-SNP | H2593 003 0 | |
| Wellpoint I CareMore Home Care | $0 | HMO I-SNP | H1423 007 0 |
What is the total number of I-SNP options in Pima County?
Pima County has 5 I-SNP options for 2026, serving 1,047 members.
How much do I-SNP plans cost on average in Pima County?
The mean monthly I-SNP premium in Pima County is $3.60, with 3 at no cost.
Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs)
These plans are designed for individuals with severe or disabling chronic conditions. C-SNPs excel at coordinating your care among different medical specialists and often include extra benefits like prescription drug plans.
- Total C-SNP Plans 19
- Average Premium $4.47/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled 8,012
- $0 Premium C-SNPs 14
- Average MOOP $8,579
- Most Popular C-SNP UHC Complete Care AZ-3P (C-SNP) with 3,375 enrollees
- C-SNPs Without Drug Coverage 0
What is the typical monthly premium for C-SNPs in Pima County?
On average, C-SNP plans in Pima County cost $4.47 per month.
Which C-SNP plan do most beneficiaries with chronic conditions choose in Pima County?
The leading C-SNP in Pima County is UHC Complete Care AZ-3P (C-SNP), with 3,375 members.
How many Chronic Condition SNPs are offered in Pima County?
In 2026, Pima County offers 19 C-SNPs with 8,012 enrollees.
Medicare Special Needs Plans have with strict enrollment windows. By knowing when and how to sign up, you’ll avoid missed deadlines and keep your healthcare coverage aligned with your needs.
Understanding Enrollment Windows
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Beginning three months before you turn 65 and lasting until three months after, this is the initial chance to join Medicare. You may also select a Medicare Advantage plan if it fits your needs. Learn more
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): Between January 1 and March 31, people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can make a one-time change—switch to another plan or return to Original Medicare. Learn more
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): From October 15 through December 7 each year, you can make changes to your Medicare coverage for the following year. Learn more
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Life events like moving to a new service area, losing other health coverage, or becoming eligible for assistance may open a Special Enrollment Period to adjust your Medicare coverage. Learn more
Ways to Enroll in Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans
- Consult a Licensed Agent: Call a licensed insurance agent at HealthCompare 1-833-748-3201 (TTY 711), available Monday through Friday 5am–6pm and Saturday 6am–5pm PST, for help reviewing your Medicare options.
- Contact the Plan Provider Directly: Start enrollment by reaching out to the plan provider through their website or by phone with their member services team.
- Use Medicare.gov: At Medicare.gov, you can compare Medicare Advantage plans side by side and enroll securely online.
The D-SNP, C-SNP, and I-SNP plans listed on this page are available to qualifying individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B living in Ajo, Green Valley, Sahuarita, Sells, Vail, Amado, Marana, Tucson, and all other areas of Pima County, Arizona.
Plans Offered for Enrollment through Medicare.org
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Capital Blue Cross, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, HealthSpring℠, HealthSun, Healthy Blue, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Medica Central Health Plan, Optimum HealthCare, Premera Blue Cross, SCAN Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare(R), Wellcare, WellPoint
- CMS.gov, Landscape Source Files — Last accessed September 26, 2025
- CMS.gov, Medicare Part C & D Performance — Last accessed October 10, 2025
- CMS.gov, Plan Benefits Package — Last accessed October 13, 2025
- CMS.gov, Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment Data — Last accessed May 2, 2026
Some facts and percentages shown on this page (such as average premiums, distribution of plan types, and percentage of $0 premium plans) are calculated by Medicare.org using data from the CMS Plan Benefits Package (PBP) files and Part C & D Performance files. All underlying values originate from CMS, and calculations are refreshed whenever CMS issues updated data.
To explore how 2026 Medicare SNP plans available in Pima County compare with plans offered elsewhere, you can search the Special Needs Plan directory to review options nationwide using the same authoritative data sources.
Medicare.org separates Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) into different pages for clarity. As a result, plan counts, percentages, and other calculations shown here may differ from the aggregate totals published in the CMS Landscape files. All plan availability and benefit details originate from CMS.
Learn more about how we use CMS data.
- CMS.gov, "Medicare Advantage Plan Fact Sheet" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
- Medicare.gov, "Your coverage options" — Last accessed 23 May, 2025
- Medicare.gov, "Joining a plan" — Last accessed 21 May, 2025
Medicare.org is owned and operated by Health Network Group, LLC, an Allstate company. Medicare.org provides information only and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
Data provenance documentation is maintained in alignment with the U.S. Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) Provenance standard.
Page content independently curated and maintained by David W. Bynon, Medicare Technical Operator, using a standardized, data-driven methodology designed for accurate, non-commercial Medicare plan interpretation and resolution.