Will Your Medicare Advantage Plan Still Include Your UCI Providers in 2027?

Two UCI networks with similar names

UCI University Physicians & Surgeons (IPA ID: I1257) includes UCI faculty and affiliated providers of UC Irvine Medical Center. UCI Health Plan Network (IPA ID: I1245) includes providers affiliated with UCI hospitals in Lakewood, Los Alamitos, Fountain Valley and Placentia-Linda. Although both names include UCI, they are separate physician networks.

A letter naming University Physicians & Surgeons does not mean UCI Health Plan Network is also affected. Check your plan’s 2027 provider directory for your exact medical group, primary doctor, specialists and locations. Confirm participation with both the plan and your providers before relying on the listing. A UCI hospital appearing in the directory does not mean every UCI physician is in network.

If you received a letter from your provider group or plan, save it and bring it to your plan review. The group named, effective date and instructions help us understand whether the change affects your care and which options to compare.

What happens if you stay with your current plan?

If your medical group is leaving your Medicare Advantage plan’s network, you can generally keep the plan, but you may need a new in-network medical group and primary care doctor for care affected by the change. Ask your plan how to choose them and when the change takes effect. If you do not make a selection, ask whether the plan will assign a medical group and doctor for you.

This can work if you are comfortable changing doctors. Before deciding, check whether your specialists, referrals, hospital and prescriptions will still work with the new care team. A UCI hospital or clinic may have a different network status from the medical group and individual doctors, so confirm each provider under your exact 2027 plan.

If you would rather keep your UCI providers, there are two coverage paths to compare: Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and separate drug plan, or another Medicare Advantage plan that includes the doctors and facilities you use.

Option 1: Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement

Original Medicare is Part A and Part B. You can generally see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, so we would confirm that each UCI doctor and facility you use accepts it. A Medicare Supplement policy, also called Medigap, helps pay some costs Original Medicare leaves to you. The Supplement has a separate premium, and you continue paying your Part B premium.

Medicare Supplement policies sold today do not include outpatient prescription coverage. If you want drug coverage, you generally add a separate Part D plan. We would check your medications and pharmacy when comparing that plan too.

Could the provider change give you a guaranteed-issue right?

Possibly. A guaranteed issue right means an insurer cannot turn you down for an eligible Medicare Supplement policy because of your health. California law may provide this right when a Medicare Advantage plan ends its relationship with a provider who is currently treating you, if the legal conditions are met.

The network change alone does not establish that you qualify. The reason for the change, your treatment relationship, the policies available and application timing all matter. If you do not have a guaranteed issue right or another protection, a Supplement insurer may use medical underwriting. Keep your plan letters so we can review your eligibility before you leave your current coverage.

Option 2: Another Medicare Advantage plan with UCI doctors

A Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage is often called an MAPD plan. Your Part A and Part B benefits come through the private plan, and Part D drug coverage is included. Each plan has its own provider network, medical costs, drug list and yearly out-of-pocket limit for covered medical services.

We would look for a plan available in your ZIP code that includes your UCI medical group, primary doctor, specialists and facilities. A UCI facility appearing in a directory does not confirm that every UCI doctor you use is in that plan.

As an independent insurance broker, I compare plans from the carriers I represent to find options that include your UCI doctors. I also check drug costs, deductibles and copays so you can see what you may pay. There is no separate cost to you for my help; if you enroll through me and a policy is issued, the insurance carrier pays me.

How can I help you choose the right path?

Schedule a Medicare plan review by phone. I will help check the UCI providers you want to keep, review whether a Medicare Supplement guaranteed issue right may apply, and compare that path with available Medicare Advantage plans. We will look at your care, prescriptions, costs and preferences together so you can decide which option fits your situation.

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7 for changes generally effective January 1. Do not cancel your current coverage until the replacement path and effective date are confirmed.

Before our call, gather these details so we can compare coverage around the doctors and medicines that matter to you:

• Your primary doctor's and specialists' names, medical group and clinic locations
• Your current plan name and any network-change or Annual Notice of Change letter
• Your prescription names and doses, plus your preferred pharmacy
• Any referrals, upcoming appointments or treatments that could be affected