SCAN Health Plan is headquartered in Long Beach, California, and is one of the largest and longest-running nonprofit Medicare Advantage plans in the country, with decades of history serving Southern California specifically. This guide compares SCAN, objectively and without recommending one insurer over another, against the other most common Medicare Advantage options in the region: Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield, Health Net, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna.
This is an educational, neutral guide, not a recommendation of any specific plan. Every insurer changes its plan lineup, networks, and benefits each year, and exact availability varies by county and ZIP code, so treat this comparison as a starting point for asking the right questions.
Who SCAN Health Plan is
Unlike for-profit insurers such as UnitedHealthcare, Humana, or Aetna, or regional divisions of larger companies such as Blue Shield and Health Net, SCAN operates as a nonprofit health plan focused almost exclusively on Medicare Advantage, with its historical base in Long Beach and Los Angeles County. That nonprofit structure does not automatically guarantee better benefits, but it tends to translate into a more specific focus on the Medicare population, rather than being one line of business among many others.
Provider network: focused HMO vs. broader networks
SCAN primarily offers HMO plans, with some HMO-POS options in certain counties. Kaiser Permanente is also mostly HMO, but within its own integrated system of hospitals and doctors. Blue Shield and Health Net offer both HMO and PPO depending on the county, while UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna tend to have broader nationwide PPO lineups, useful if you travel frequently outside Southern California.
If your current doctors already participate in SCAN's network, that continuity can outweigh any other factor. If your specialists are spread across several hospital systems, it is worth comparing networks more carefully before deciding.
Availability, cost, benefits, and eligibility vary by person, product, contract, and insurance company, as well as by your service area. Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Karla Arámburo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or the federal government.
Supplemental benefits: dental, vision, transportation, and OTC
SCAN has built a particular reputation for benefits focused on independent older adults, such as transportation services to medical appointments, chronic condition management programs, and an OTC card for over-the-counter products. These benefits also exist in Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield, Health Net, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna plans, but the card amount, transportation network, and exact services vary widely from plan to plan, even within the same insurer.
To understand how the OTC/flex card works in more detail, regardless of insurer, review our OTC/flex card guide, and for dental, vision, and hearing our guide to those benefits.
Star ratings, and why they matter more than the insurer's name
SCAN has historically maintained competitive star ratings across several of its main plans, and the same is true in different years for specific Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna plans. No insurer, including SCAN, keeps the same rating across all of its plans or from one year to the next, so star ratings should be checked by specific plan, not by the company's name in general.
Before comparing insurers, review our Star Ratings guide, which explains how they are calculated and why a 5-star plan from one insurer still may not be the right fit for your specific situation.
Which type of member each option tends to fit
SCAN tends to suit members who value a plan focused specifically on Medicare, with support benefits like transportation and chronic condition management, and who are comfortable with an HMO structure. Kaiser Permanente suits those already inside that integrated system. Blue Shield and Health Net offer a middle ground between a broad network and established regional presence. UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna tend to suit those looking for a broader PPO lineup or nationwide coverage for frequent travel.
To understand the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap before comparing specific insurers, review our Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap guide, and if you haven't decided between HMO and PPO yet, review our HMO vs. PPO guide.
Quick comparison table
| Aspect | SCAN Health Plan | Other common insurers |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Nonprofit, headquartered in Long Beach | Kaiser (integrated), Blue Shield, Health Net, United, Humana, and Aetna (for-profit) |
| Network type | Mostly HMO, some HMO-POS | Varies: HMO, PPO, or both depending on insurer and county |
| Benefits focus | Transportation and chronic condition management | Varies by plan; OTC, dental, and vision in most |
| Best for | Members focused on local support and an HMO structure | Those needing a broad network, PPO, or coverage while traveling |
No row in this table is a specific recommendation; it is a starting point for comparing your options. I work with families in cities such as Long Beach, Irvine, Riverside and San Diego, reviewing in each case which SCAN and other insurer plans are actually available in their exact ZIP code.
Free, unbiased bilingual help comparing
I am Karla Arámburo, an independent, bilingual insurance agent licensed in California to serve families in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside counties. As an independent agent, I am not limited to SCAN Health Plan or any particular insurer: I review your current doctors, your medications, and your budget, and compare the specific plans available in your ZIP code, in Spanish or English, at no cost to you. I also offer life insurance options that accept an ITIN for families without a Social Security number.
You can call or text (619) 321-8733 or schedule a free consultation. This page is general education, not individualized advice or a recommendation of a specific plan or insurer.
Frequently asked questions
Is SCAN Health Plan available throughout Southern California?
SCAN has a wide presence across Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Riverside counties, but not every plan is available in every ZIP code, and its lineup changes from year to year. Exact availability should always be confirmed for your address.
Is SCAN a nonprofit insurer?
Yes. SCAN Health Plan operates as a nonprofit health plan headquartered in Long Beach, unlike Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield, Health Net, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna, which are for-profit insurers or divisions of a larger for-profit company. That structure alone does not determine which plan is right for you, but it is a real difference many members ask about.
Are SCAN's plans HMO or PPO?
SCAN primarily offers HMO plans, with some HMO-POS options in certain counties that allow limited out-of-network care under specific conditions. If you need the full flexibility of a PPO, it is worth comparing against other insurers that do offer that structure in your county.
How does SCAN's star rating compare with other insurers?
SCAN's star rating has historically been solid across several of its plans, but it varies by specific plan and by year, just as it does with Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield, Health Net, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna. Never assume the insurer's overall rating; always check the rating of the exact plan you are considering enrolling in.
Does SCAN offer specialized plans for members with chronic conditions?
SCAN and several of the insurers compared here offer special needs plans (SNPs) for certain chronic conditions or for members with both Medicare and Medi-Cal, but exact availability depends on the county and changes every year.
Is a nonprofit plan like SCAN automatically better?
Not necessarily. Being nonprofit is a feature of the organization's structure, not a guarantee of a better network, better benefits, or lower cost. The best option always depends on whether your doctors and hospitals are in the plan's network, your medication list, and your specific budget.
Can you help me compare SCAN against other insurers in my ZIP code?
Yes. I review your current doctors, your medications, and your budget, and compare the specific SCAN, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield, Health Net, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna plans available in your ZIP code, in Spanish or English, at no cost to you.