Healthcare providers in Stanislaus County are preparing for changes in Medicare Advantage coverage as UnitedHealthcare will discontinue three Medicare plans for residents aged 65 and older, as well as certain disabled individuals. The changes are set to take effect on January 1.
Sutter Health notified affected patients in an October 1 letter that the AARP Medicare Advantage HMO through UnitedHealthcare will no longer provide access to Sutter physicians, specialists, and healthcare centers next year. Patients who want to continue receiving care from Sutter providers will need to select another Medicare Advantage plan or revert to basic Medicare.
Sutter Health, based in Sacramento and owner of Memorial Medical Center in Modesto, stated that about 4,100 of its patients in Stanislaus County are affected by UnitedHealthcare’s exit from the local Medicare Advantage market. The discontinued UnitedHealthcare AARP plans also allowed access to the AllCare independent physicians group, which is based in Modesto.
“We are committed to supporting patients during this transition,” Sutter said in a statement. “We are reaching out to all (our) affected patients through letters, emails and outbound calls to provide resources and guidance — including co-hosting in-person events and webinars with licensed insurance agents to help them understand their coverage options and maintain continuity of care where possible.”
Sutter identified three other Medicare Advantage plans it accepts in Stanislaus County: Alignment Health My Choice PPO and Sutter Senior Advantage (a SCAN Medicare HMO). Additionally, Sutter accepts a Health Plan of San Joaquin HMO for established low-income patients eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Patients were directed to an online resource for information about Medicare Advantage options accepted by Sutter in Stanislaus and other counties. The letter encouraged contacting licensed insurance agents or Sutter customer service representatives for help understanding available plans and choosing one that fits their needs.
UnitedHealthcare released a statement on October 8: “We are making strategic adjustments to our Medicare Advantage offerings for 2026 to ensure long-term affordability and stability for our plans. We are here to support members through any necessary transition and remain committed to helping everyone understand their options.”
There are nine insurers offering Medicare-approved Advantage plans in Stanislaus County. Some of these include access to Kaiser Permanente facilities, AllCare physicians, or Central Valley Medical Group. In 2025, monthly premiums for government-subsidized Medicare plans range from zero up to $97.
Medicare Advantage includes annual caps on copayments and out-of-pocket expenses, along with coverage for prescription drugs, dental, hearing, and vision services.
The fall enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7. Eligible individuals can change their coverage during this time. They are advised to confirm that any new plan covers their doctors and prescription drugs before enrolling.
No total figure is available yet on how many local patients will be impacted by UnitedHealthcare’s decision. Sutter noted that the recent changes do not affect employer-sponsored Medicare plans it accepts, such as those offered through CalPERS or large employers.
The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program in Modesto is holding an informational event at 9 a.m. on October 17 at the Stanislaus Veterans Center at 3500 Coffee Road about changes coming to Medicare programs, premium costs, and benefits in 2026.
