Medicare plans by county · CY2026
17 Medicare Plans in Merced, California
Contract year 2026 · CMS Medicare Landscape Files
17 Medicare plans are available in Merced for 2026
Base monthly premiums range from $0.00 to $89.00. 10 plans have a $0.00 base premium.
Average CMS star rating: 3.8 stars (16 of 17 plans rated).
Premiums shown are the plan's base premium — your actual cost includes the Part B premium and may vary by income. To compare plans with your specific drugs and providers and to enroll, use the official Medicare Plan Finder: medicare.gov/plan-compare . Free help: 1-800-MEDICARE or your state's SHIP.
SNP (9 plans)
| Plan | Type | Organization | Base Premium/mo | Overall Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes (HMO C-SNP) H3815_010 | HMO C-SNP | Alignment Health Plan Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC | $0.00 | 4 ★ |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes CalPlus (HMO C-SNP) H3815_039 | HMO C-SNP | Alignment Health Plan Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC | $12.00 | 4 ★ |
| Alignment Health BreathEasy (HMO C-SNP) H3815_041 | HMO C-SNP | Alignment Health Plan Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC | $12.00 | 4 ★ |
| Alignment Health Clarity (HMO C-SNP) H3815_042 | HMO C-SNP | Alignment Health Plan Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC | $12.00 | 4 ★ |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Care (HMO C-SNP) H3815_048 | HMO C-SNP | Alignment Health Plan Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC | $0.00 | 4 ★ |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Choice (HMO C-SNP) H3815_051 | HMO C-SNP | Alignment Health Plan Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC | $0.70 | 4 ★ |
| Imperial Senior Value (HMO C-SNP) H5496_005 | HMO C-SNP | Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc. Imperial Health Plan of California | $0.00 | 3.5 ★ |
| TotalCare (HMO D-SNP) H5692_001 | HMO D-SNP | Central California Alliance for Health SANTA CRUZ MONTEREY MERCED SAN BENITO MARIPOSA MAN | $5.50 | — |
| Anthem Kidney Care (PPO C-SNP) H8552_028 | PPO C-SNP | Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company Elevance Health, Inc. | $0.00 | 2.5 ★ |
MA-PD (7 plans)
| Plan | Type | Organization | Base Premium/mo | Overall Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Shield Inspire (HMO) H0504_047 | HMO | Blue Shield of California California Physicians' Service | $58.00 | 4 ★ |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC CA-0010 (HMO-POS) H0543_140 | HMO-POS | UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | $89.00 | 4 ★ |
| Alignment Health the ONE + Walgreens (HMO) H3815_035 | HMO | Alignment Health Plan Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC | $0.00 | 4 ★ |
| Alignment Health smartHMO (HMO) H3815_040 | HMO | Alignment Health Plan Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC | $0.00 | 4 ★ |
| Alignment Health My Choice CalCare (HMO) H3815_050 | HMO | Alignment Health Plan Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC | $0.00 | 4 ★ |
| Alignment Health Honor+ Plan (HMO) H3815_052 | HMO | Alignment Health Plan Alignment Healthcare USA, LLC | $0.00 | 4 ★ |
| Imperial Dynamic Plan (HMO) H5496_012 | HMO | Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc. Imperial Health Plan of California | $0.00 | 3.5 ★ |
MA (1 plan)
| Plan | Type | Organization | Base Premium/mo | Overall Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial Courage Plan (HMO) H5496_016 | HMO | Imperial Health Plan of California, Inc. Imperial Health Plan of California | $0.00 | 3.5 ★ |
What these figures mean
Base premium: The amount shown is the plan's monthly base premium. Most Medicare enrollees also pay the standard Medicare Part B premium (generally deducted from your Social Security benefit). Higher-income enrollees pay an additional Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Low-income enrollees may qualify for the Extra Help (LIS) program, which can reduce or eliminate plan premiums and cost-sharing. A $0.00 plan premium does not mean $0 total monthly cost.
CMS star rating: CMS rates Medicare Advantage and Part D plans on a 1–5 star scale based on quality measures including preventive care, managing chronic conditions, member experience, and drug plan performance. A higher rating is generally better, but the best plan for you also depends on your specific prescriptions, preferred doctors and hospitals, and total cost-sharing. Star ratings reflect the contract's performance across its full service area — not Merced specifically.
MOOP (Maximum Out-of-Pocket): For MA plans, the Maximum Out-of-Pocket limit caps your annual in-network cost-sharing. Not shown in the table above; visible at medicare.gov/plan-compare for each specific plan.
How to compare these plans
Compare plans on the figures shown — base premium, plan type, organization, and CMS star rating. These are sourced from the CMS CY2026 Medicare Landscape Files (RECORDED figures). Atlas Commons does not rank a "best" plan — the right choice depends on your specific doctors, prescriptions, and budget. Use medicare.gov/plan-compare to enter your specific drugs and providers for a complete comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How many Medicare plans are available in Merced, California?
For contract year 2026, the CMS Medicare Landscape Files record 17 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans available in Merced, California. This count covers all contract types: MA-PD (7), SNP (9), MA (1).
What do Medicare plans cost in Merced, California?
Base monthly premiums for plans in Merced range from $0.00 to $89.00 — 10 plans have a $0.00 base premium. These are the plan's base premium only. Your actual monthly cost also includes the Medicare Part B premium (most people pay $174.70/mo in 2026, deducted from Social Security), and may include income-related adjustments (IRMAA) or Low Income Subsidy credits. A $0.00 plan premium does not mean $0 total cost.
How are Medicare plans in Merced, California rated?
CMS has assigned Overall star ratings (1–5 stars) to 16 of 17 plans in Merced. The unweighted average overall star rating is 3.8 stars. Star ratings are CMS's quality score — a higher rating generally reflects better performance across quality measures, but the best plan for you depends on your specific prescriptions, preferred providers, and budget. 1 plan in this county do not have an overall CMS rating (typically PDP-only or newly contracted plans).
How do I enroll in a Medicare plan in Merced, California?
Use the official Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare. Enter your ZIP code to see plans with exact premiums, copays, drug coverage, and provider networks — customized to your situation and drugs. Enrollment periods apply (Annual Enrollment: Oct 15–Dec 7; Special Enrollment Periods for qualifying events). This page shows which plans exist and their base premiums; to enroll, use Medicare's official tool.
Where can I get free, unbiased help choosing a Medicare plan?
Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — a free, unbiased Medicare counseling service available in every state. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. SHIP counselors help you compare plans, understand costs, and make enrollment decisions at no cost.
What to do next
- Compare and enroll: medicare.gov/plan-compare — the official Medicare Plan Finder. Enter your ZIP code, drugs, and providers to compare all plans with exact costs and coverage.
- Free unbiased help: Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — free Medicare counseling in every state — or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24/7.
- Official source: CMS Medicare Landscape Files — the source of this data.
RECORDED premiums · DETERMINATION star ratings · AGGREGATED plan count. Plan list for Merced, California, CY2026. Data generated June 24, 2026.
Machine-readable: JSON-LD · Markdown · Source: CMS Medicare Landscape Files