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  1. 🏠
  2. Medicare Advantage Plans
  3. California
  4. Santa Cruz County

2026 Medicare Advantage Plans in Santa Cruz County, CA

Last update: May 11, 2026. Enrollment data updated: May 2, 2026

Santa Cruz County, CA has 5 Medicare Advantage plans available in 2026. These include 2 plans with no monthly premium, and roughly 60% are rated at least 4 stars based on CMS data.

Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are not included in the figures shown above. View Special Needs Plans in Santa Cruz County, CA. Or explore all Medicare Options available in Santa Cruz County, CA.

  • PPO Plans
  • HMO Plans

At a Glance

County-level summary of Medicare Advantage plan availability and enrollment based on CMS data.

Average Monthly Premium: $44.80/mo
$0 Premium Plans: 2
Average MOOP: $3,459 ($9,250 max. in 2026)
Star Ratings (Plan Mix): 4+ Stars: 60% · 3 Stars: 40% · Below 3: 0%
Average Part D Deductible: $0.00
Total MA/MAPD Enrollment: 8,405
Plans with the Highest Enrollment
(as of May 2, 2026)
1. Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Santa Cruz (HMO) — 3,976 enrollees
2. Alignment Health Sutter Advantage +More (HMO) — 2,847 enrollees
3. Alignment Health My Choice (PPO) — 1,264 enrollees

Medicare Advantage PPO Plans

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans allow access to both in-network and out-of-network providers. Out-of-network care usually costs more, but PPOs offer greater flexibility in choosing doctors and hospitals.

  • Total PPO Plans 1
  • Average Monthly Premium $77.00/mo
  • Total PPO Enrollment 1,264
  • $0 Premium PPO Plans 0
  • Average MOOP $4,200
  • Top PPO by Enrollment Alignment Health My Choice (PPO) — 1,264 enrollees
  • PPO Plans Without Drug Coverage 0

Comparison table of 2026 PPO Medicare Advantage Plans available in Santa Cruz County, California
Health Plan Name CMS Rating* Premium Per Mo MOOP PDP Ded. CMS Plan ID
Alignment Health My Choice
☆☆☆☆☆
$77 $4,200 $0 H4961-001-0
What is the most popular PPO plan in Santa Cruz?

Alignment Health My Choice (PPO) is the top PPO in Santa Cruz, with 1,264 enrollees.

What is the number of PPO plans without Part D coverage in Santa Cruz?

There are 0 PPO plans in Santa Cruz without prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Advantage HMO Plans

HMO plans typically require members to use in-network providers and facilities, except in emergencies. In return, HMOs often offer lower monthly premiums and reduced cost-sharing.

Total HMO Plans
4
Average Monthly Premium
$36.75/mo
Total HMO Enrollment
7,141
$0 Premium HMO Plans
2
Average MOOP
$3,274
Top HMO by Enrollment
Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Santa Cruz (HMO) — 3,976 enrollees
HMO Plans Without Drug Coverage
1

Comparison table of 2026 HMO Medicare Advantage Plans available in Santa Cruz County, California
Health Plan Name CMS Rating* Premium Per Mo MOOP PDP Ded. CMS Plan ID
Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Santa Cruz
☆☆☆☆☆
$88 $4,900 $0 H0524-054-0
Alignment Health Sutter Advantage +More
☆☆☆☆☆
$59 $4,900 $0 H3815-021-0
Imperial Courage Plan
☆☆☆☆☆
$0 $2,999 N/A H5496-016-0
Imperial Dynamic Plan
☆☆☆☆☆
$0 $296 $0 H5496-012-0

What is the typical premium for HMO plans in Santa Cruz?

HMO plans in Santa Cruz cost $36.75 per month on average.

Which HMO plan do most beneficiaries choose in Santa Cruz?

The most popular HMO plan in Santa Cruz is Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Santa Cruz (HMO), with 3,976 enrollees.

How many HMO options are offered without prescription drug coverage in Santa Cruz?

There are 1 HMO plans in Santa Cruz without prescription drug coverage.

Below is a breakdown of CMS star ratings for Medicare Advantage plans available in Santa Cruz County, CA for 2026.

CMS Star Ratings for Medicare Advantage Plans in Santa Cruz County, CA (2026)
Rating Category Number of Plans Percent of Plans
5 Stars No 5-star plans available. 0%
4 Stars (includes 5 Stars) 3 60%
3 Stars 2 40%
Below 3 Stars 0 0%
Not Rated 0 0%
Average Rating 3.9

* Medicare Advantage star ratings are determined by CMS each year using a standardized 5-star rating system.

  • CMS.gov, Medicare Advantage Landscape Source Files — Last accessed May 2, 2026
  • CMS.gov, Medicare Part C & D Performance Data — Last accessed May 2, 2026
  • CMS.gov, Medicare Advantage & Part D Contract and Enrollment Data — Last accessed May 2, 2026

County-level figures shown on this page, including plan counts, enrollment totals, averages, and percentage distributions, reflect standard Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) plans only and are derived from CMS datasets using a standardized aggregation methodology.

Data sources and methodology documentation .

  • CMS.gov, "Medicare Advantage Plan Fact Sheet" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
  • Medicare.gov, "Your coverage options" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
  • Medicare.gov, "Joining a plan" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025

MedicarePlans.com is an independent, non-government informational resource and is not affiliated 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, non-commercial Medicare plan interpretation and resolution.

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