Understanding Medicare Special Needs Plans in San Diego County, California
For 2027, residents of San Diego County, CA can choose from 39 Special Needs Plan options. Of these, 31 cost nothing beyond the Part B premium. Enrollment in the County is about 59,071, with 53% of SNPs achieving 4 stars or better. SNPs are not available to everyone — eligibility is limited to people with dual Medicare/Medicaid coverage, qualifying chronic conditions, or institutional care needs.
For a broader look at coverage beyond Special Needs Plans, see all Medicare coverage options in San Diego County, CA.
Last update: . Enrollment data last updated: October 5, 2026
* CMS rates Medicare Advantage plans annually using a 5-star system. 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
- 7
- Average Premium
- $2.09/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled
- 42,369
- $0 Premium D-SNPs
- 5
- Zero Cost D-SNPs
- 7
- Most Popular D-SNP
- Molina Medicare Complete Care Plus (D-SNP) with 12,691 enrollees
- D-SNPs Without Drug Coverage
- 0
| Plan Name | CMS Stars* | Premium/Mo | Network | CMS ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente Dual Complete South P1 | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H8794 001 0 | |
| Blue Shield Medicare + Medi-Cal Plan | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H2819 001 0 | |
| SCAN Connections | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H0976 001 0 | |
| SCAN Connections at Home | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H0976 002 0 | |
| Wellcare Health Net Dual Liberty | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H3561 009 0 | |
| Molina Medicare Complete Care Plus | $7 | HMO D-SNP | H3038 004 3 | |
| CommuniCare Advantage | $7 | HMO D-SNP | H4733 001 0 |
- What is the average premium for D-SNP plans in San Diego County?
- On average, D-SNP plans in San Diego County cost $2.09 per month.
- Which D-SNP is the most popular in San Diego County?
- The leading D-SNP in San Diego County is Molina Medicare Complete Care Plus (D-SNP), with 12,691 members.
- How many D-SNP plans are available in San Diego County?
- In 2027, San Diego County offers 7 D-SNPs with 42,369 enrollees.
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
- 32
- Average Premium
- $0.85/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled
- 16,702
- $0 Premium C-SNPs
- 26
- Average MOOP
- $11,189
- Most Popular C-SNP
- Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Plus 039 (C-SNP) with 3,219 enrollees
- C-SNPs Without Drug Coverage
- 0
What is the total number of C-SNP options in San Diego County?
There are 32 C-SNP plans in 2027, covering 16,702 beneficiaries.
How much do C-SNP plans cost on average in San Diego County?
The average C-SNP premium is $0.85, with 26 costing $0.
What C-SNP plan has the highest enrollment in San Diego County?
Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Plus 039 (C-SNP) is the most popular C-SNP in San Diego County, with 3,219 enrollees.
What is the total number of C-SNP options in San Diego County?
There are 32 C-SNP plans in 2027, covering 16,702 beneficiaries.
Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan enrollment follows specific timelines. Understanding these options—whether it’s your first time enrolling or switching plans—helps you choose coverage that matches your health and budget.
When You Can Sign Up
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Lasting seven months around your 65th birthday, this period lets you enroll in Medicare for the first time. You may also choose a Medicare Advantage plan during this time. Learn more
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): Each year from January 1 through March 31, you may change to another Medicare Advantage plan or drop your plan and return to Original Medicare. Learn more
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): This yearly window, running October 15 to December 7, gives you the opportunity to join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Learn more
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Outside the standard enrollment dates, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if specific circumstances apply, including relocation or coverage loss. Learn more
SNP Enrollment Options Explained
- Talk with a Licensed Agent: Our licensed agents can explain your Medicare Advantage choices. Reach them at 1-833-748-3201 (TTY 711), Mon-Fri 8AM-10PM, Sat 9AM-8PM EST.
- Contact the Plan Provider Directly: Enrollment can also be completed by calling the plan provider’s customer service line or visiting their official website.
- Use Medicare.gov: The official Medicare website, Medicare.gov, lets you review available plans and complete enrollment 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 Alpine, Bonita, Boulevard, Campo, Chula Vista, Descanso, Imperial Beach, Jamul, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Pine Valley, Potrero, Spring Valley, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Cardiff By The Sea New, Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, Julian, La Jolla, Lakeside, Oceanside, Camp Pendleton, Pala, Pauma Valley, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Santa Ysabel, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista, Valley Center, Warner Springs, San Diego, Coronado, San Ysidro, and all other areas of San Diego County, California. For a broader statewide overview, see Medicare plan options in California.
Plans Offered through Medicare.org
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, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, 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®, Wellcare, WellPoint
- CMS.gov, Landscape Source Files — Version: CY2027 Landscape (202609.1)
- CMS.gov, Medicare Part C & D Performance — Version: 2027 Star Ratings Data Tables
- CMS.gov, Plan Benefits Package — Version: PBP Benefits-2027
- CMS.gov, Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment Data — Version: 2026-09
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 2027 Medicare SNP plans available in San Diego 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.
- Medicare.gov, "Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans" — Last accessed 24 May, 2025
- Medicare.gov, "Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
- NCOA.org, "5 Steps to Choosing the Right Medicare Plan for You" — Last accessed 22 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, Editorial Steward, using a standardized, data-driven methodology for accurate Medicare coverage interpretation and resolution.