Understanding Medicare Special Needs Plans in Santa Clara County, California
In Santa Clara County, CA, Medicare beneficiaries have access to 20 Special Needs Plans (SNPs) in 2026. Among them, 12 are available at a $0 premium. About 35,041 people in the County are enrolled, with 61% of SNPs rated 4 stars or higher. These plans are designed for individuals with specific healthcare needs, including dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, chronic conditions, or long-term care requirements.
Page last revised:
Enrollment data refreshed: May 2, 2026
* Each year CMS evaluates Medicare Advantage plans on a 5-star scale. Data sources
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs)
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) are designed for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. These plans coordinate benefits to reduce costs and provide access to additional support services.
- Total D-SNP Plans: 5
- Average Premium: $2.00/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled: 23,185
- $0 Premium D-SNPs: 4
- Zero Cost D-SNP Plans: 5
- Most Popular D-SNP: DualConnect (D-SNP) with 11,577 enrollees
- D-SNPs Without Drug Coverage: 0
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | Network | CMS Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente Dual Complete North P2 | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H8794 002 0 | |
| Kaiser Permanente Dual Complete North P23 | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H8794 023 0 | |
| Santa Clara Family Health Plan DualConnect | $10 | HMO D-SNP | H4045 001 0 | |
| Anthem Full Dual Advantage Aligned | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H4471 010 2 | |
| Central Health Dual Access Plan | $0 | HMO D-SNP | H5649 024 0 |
What is the total number of D-SNP options in Santa Clara County?
There are 5 D-SNP plans in 2026, covering 23,185 beneficiaries.
How much do D-SNP plans cost on average in Santa Clara County?
The average D-SNP premium is $2.00, with 4 costing $0.
What D-SNP plan has the highest enrollment in Santa Clara County?
DualConnect (D-SNP) is the most popular D-SNP in Santa Clara County, with 11,577 enrollees.
What is the total number of D-SNP options in Santa Clara County?
There are 5 D-SNP plans in 2026, covering 23,185 beneficiaries.
Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNPs)
These plans cater to individuals residing in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, or those requiring extended skilled nursing facility care at home. The CMS website provides more information about I-SNPs and their coverage details.
- Total I-SNP Plans
- 2
- Average Premium
- $6.00/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled
- 0
- $0 Premium I-SNPs
- 1
- Average MOOP
- $11,150
- Most Popular I-SNP
- with 0 enrollees
- I-SNPs Without Drug Coverage
- 0
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | Network | CMS Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Care | $0 | HMO I-SNP | H3274 002 0 | |
| Senior Care | $12 | HMO I-SNP | H3274 001 0 |
What I-SNP plan has the highest enrollment in Santa Clara County?
is the most popular I-SNP in Santa Clara County, with 0 enrollees.
What is the total number of I-SNP options in Santa Clara County?
There are 2 I-SNP plans in 2026, covering 0 beneficiaries.
Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs)
These plans are designed for individuals with severe or disabling chronic conditions. C-SNPs excel at coordinating your care among different medical specialists and often include extra benefits like prescription drug plans.
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | Network | CMS Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alignment Health BreathEasy | $12 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 041 0 | |
| Alignment Health Clarity | $12 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 042 0 | |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 010 0 | |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes CalPlus | $12 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 039 0 | |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Care | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 048 0 | |
| Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes Choice | $1 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 051 0 | |
| Alignment Health Silicon | $12 | HMO C-SNP | H3815 045 0 | |
| SCAN Balance | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H5425 070 0 | |
| SCAN Strive | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H5425 098 0 | |
| Astiva Health C-SNP WOW - NorCal | $12 | HMO C-SNP | H1993 013 0 | |
| Imperial Senior Value | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H5496 005 0 | |
| Central Health Embrace Care Plan | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H5649 025 3 | |
| Central Health Embrace Choice Plan | $0 | HMO C-SNP | H5649 026 3 |
What is the average premium for C-SNP plans in Santa Clara County?
On average, C-SNP plans in Santa Clara County cost $4.67 per month.
Which C-SNP is the most popular in Santa Clara County?
The leading C-SNP in Santa Clara County is Alignment Health Heart & Diabetes CalPlus (C-SNP), with 3,462 members.
How many C-SNP plans are available in Santa Clara County?
In 2026, Santa Clara County offers 13 C-SNPs with 11,856 enrollees.
Medicare Special Needs Plans have with strict enrollment windows. By knowing when and how to sign up, you’ll avoid missed deadlines and keep your healthcare coverage aligned with your needs.
Key Medicare Enrollment Periods
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This seven-month window starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. It’s the first time you can sign up for Medicare and, if you choose, a Medicare Advantage plan. Learn more
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): Between January 1 and March 31, people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can make a one-time change—switch to another plan or return to Original Medicare. Learn more
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): From October 15 through December 7 each year, you can make changes to your Medicare coverage for the following year. Learn more
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Life events like moving to a new service area, losing other health coverage, or becoming eligible for assistance may open a Special Enrollment Period to adjust your Medicare coverage. Learn more
How to Sign Up for a Special Needs Plan
- Licensed Agent Assistance: For one-on-one guidance, contact HealthCompare at 1-833-748-3201 (TTY 711). Agents are available Monday through Friday 5am–6pm and Saturday 6am–5pm PST.
- Contact the Plan Provider Directly: Start enrollment by reaching out to the plan provider through their website or by phone with their member services team.
- Use Medicare.gov: At Medicare.gov, you can compare Medicare Advantage plans side by side and enroll securely online.
The D-SNP, C-SNP, and I-SNP plans listed on this page are available to qualifying individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B living in Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Stanford, Alviso, Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, San Martin, Santa Clara, Saratoga, San Jose, and all other areas of Santa Clara County, California.
Plans Offered for Enrollment through Medicare.org
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Capital Blue Cross, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, HealthSpring℠, HealthSun, Healthy Blue, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Medica Central Health Plan, Optimum HealthCare, Premera Blue Cross, SCAN Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare(R), Wellcare, WellPoint
- CMS.gov, Landscape Source Files — Last accessed September 26, 2025
- CMS.gov, Medicare Part C & D Performance — Last accessed October 10, 2025
- CMS.gov, Plan Benefits Package — Last accessed October 13, 2025
- CMS.gov, Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment Data — Last accessed May 2, 2026
Some facts and percentages shown on this page (such as average premiums, distribution of plan types, and percentage of $0 premium plans) are calculated by Medicare.org using data from the CMS Plan Benefits Package (PBP) files and Part C & D Performance files. All underlying values originate from CMS, and calculations are refreshed whenever CMS issues updated data.
To explore how 2026 Medicare SNP plans available in Santa Clara County compare with plans offered elsewhere, you can search the Special Needs Plan directory to review options nationwide using the same authoritative data sources.
Medicare.org separates Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) into different pages for clarity. As a result, plan counts, percentages, and other calculations shown here may differ from the aggregate totals published in the CMS Landscape files. All plan availability and benefit details originate from CMS.
Learn more about how we use CMS data.
- Medicare.gov, "Compare types of Medicare Advantage Plans" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
- Medicare.gov, "Your coverage options" — Last accessed 23 May, 2025
- Medicare.gov, "Joining a plan" — Last accessed 21 May, 2025
Medicare.org is owned and operated by Health Network Group, LLC, an Allstate company. Medicare.org provides information only and is not connected 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, Medicare Technical Operator, using a standardized, data-driven methodology designed for accurate, non-commercial Medicare plan interpretation and resolution.