Medicare Advantage Pitfalls: Seniors Scramble as California Healthcare Provider Terminates Plans

Thousands of seniors in San Diego are scrambling to find new healthcare options or insurance as Scripps Health, a major Southern California healthcare provider, and other health systems terminate Medicare Advantage contracts. Medicare Advantage enrollment has grown rapidly due to its all-in-one features and lower upfront costs, but the downside is that there is no guarantee of being able to keep preferred doctors and hospitals. The decision by Scripps Health highlights the provider instability of Medicare Advantage plans. Seniors are left with the choice of switching healthcare providers or insurance coverage, with traditional Medicare having no built-in annual out-of-pocket limit.