Understanding Medicare Special Needs Plans in Santa Clara County, California
For 2026, residents of Santa Clara County, CA can choose from 20 Special Needs Plan options. Of these, 12 cost nothing beyond the Part B premium. Enrollment in the County is about 35,433, with 61% 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 Santa Clara County, CA.
Last update: . Enrollment data last updated: September 9, 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
- 5
- Average Premium
- $2.00/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled
- 23,445
- $0 Premium D-SNPs
- 4
- Zero Cost D-SNPs
- 5
- Most Popular D-SNP
- DualConnect (D-SNP) with 11,648 enrollees
- D-SNPs Without Drug Coverage
- 0
| Plan Name | CMS Stars* | Premium/Mo | Network | CMS ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente Dual Complete North P2 | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H8794 002 0 | |
| Kaiser Permanente Dual Complete North P23 | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H8794 023 0 | |
| Santa Clara Family Health Plan DualConnect | $10 | HMO D-SNP | H4045 001 0 | |
| Anthem Full Dual Advantage Aligned | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H4471 010 2 | |
| Central Health Dual Access Plan | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H5649 024 0 |
- What is the average premium for D-SNP plans in Santa Clara County?
- On average, D-SNP plans in Santa Clara County cost $2.00 per month.
- Which D-SNP is the most popular in Santa Clara County?
- The leading D-SNP in Santa Clara County is DualConnect (D-SNP), with 11,648 members.
- How many D-SNP plans are available in Santa Clara County?
- In 2026, Santa Clara County offers 5 D-SNPs with 23,445 enrollees.
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.
| Plan Name | CMS Stars* | Premium/Mo | Network | CMS ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Care | $0 | HMO I-SNP | H3274 002 0 | |
| Senior Care | $12 | HMO I-SNP | H3274 001 0 |
What is the average premium for I-SNP plans in Santa Clara County?
On average, I-SNP plans in Santa Clara County cost $6.00 per month.
Which I-SNP is the most popular in Santa Clara County?
The leading I-SNP in Santa Clara County is , with 0 members.
How many I-SNP plans are available in Santa Clara County?
In 2026, Santa Clara County offers 2 I-SNPs with 0 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
- 13
- Average Premium
- $4.67/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled
- 11,988
- $0 Premium C-SNPs
- 7
- Average MOOP
- $12,375
- Most Popular C-SNP
- Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes CalPlus (C-SNP) with 3,443 enrollees
- C-SNPs Without Drug Coverage
- 0
| Plan Name | CMS Stars* | Premium/Mo | Network | CMS ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alignment Health BreathEasy | $12 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 041 0 | |
| Alignment Health Clarity | $12 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 042 0 | |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 010 0 | |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes CalPlus | $12 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 039 0 | |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Care | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 048 0 | |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Choice | $1 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 051 0 | |
| Alignment Health Silicon | $12 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 045 0 | |
| SCAN Balance | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H5425 070 0 | |
| SCAN Strive | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H5425 098 0 | |
| Astiva Health C-SNP WOW - NorCal | $12 | HMO C-SNP | H1993 013 0 | |
| Imperial Senior Value | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H5496 005 0 | |
| Central Health Embrace Care Plan | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H5649 025 3 | |
| Central Health Embrace Choice Plan | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H5649 026 3 |
What is the total number of C-SNP options in Santa Clara County?
There are 13 C-SNP plans in 2026, covering 11,988 beneficiaries.
How much do C-SNP plans cost on average in Santa Clara County?
The average C-SNP premium is $4.67, with 7 costing $0.
What C-SNP plan has the highest enrollment in Santa Clara County?
Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes CalPlus (C-SNP) is the most popular C-SNP in Santa Clara County, with 3,443 enrollees.
What is the total number of C-SNP options in Santa Clara County?
There are 13 C-SNP plans in 2026, covering 11,988 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: Licensed agents at HealthCompare can explain your Medicare Advantage choices. Reach them at 1-833-748-3201 (TTY 711), Monday–Friday 5am–6pm and Saturday 6am–5pm PST.
- 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 Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Stanford, Alviso, Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, San Martin, Santa Clara, Saratoga, San Jose, and all other areas of Santa Clara County, California. For a broader statewide overview, see Medicare plan options in California.
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 — Version: 202608
- CMS.gov, Medicare Part C & D Performance — Version: 2026
- CMS.gov, Plan Benefits Package — Version: 2026
- CMS.gov, Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment Data — Version: 2026-08
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 Santa Clara 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.