Topic
Keeping your doctors
“We take Medicare” usually means Original Medicare. A Medicare Advantage plan can use a different list. Write down the doctor, the medical group, and the hospital, then ask the office.
Read these together
- 1Hoag groups leaving SCANA dated network end. The doctor and the medical group still have to be checked for 2027.
- 2UCI faculty group leaving SCANOne UCI medical group is ending. UCI Health Plan Network is a different list.
- 3Can I keep my doctor with Medicare?The order of the check: the office first, then the same names on Medicare.gov.
- 4Medicare HMO vs PPOReferrals and out-of-network care. A PPO is not the same as Original Medicare.
- 5Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?How doctor access works in each structure. Neither is automatically better.
- 6Your plan and your medical groupWho usually handles referrals and prior approval. Neither arrangement is automatically better.
- 7Medical groups in a Los Angeles ZIPNames seen in a ZIP are a list for the front desk, not a plan network.
Tools for this question
- Doctor checkThe doctor, the hospitals, and the medical groups. Confirm them on Medicare.gov, with the plan, and with the doctor’s office.
- Medical groups in a ZIPGroups observed in a ZIP. A group is not a plan.
Other topics
Common questions
Does accepting Medicare mean my doctor takes every plan?
No. Accepting Medicare usually means Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage participation is by plan, doctor, medical group, and sometimes by location.
How do I verify a doctor?
Write down the doctor, the medical group or IPA, and the hospital. The rest of the check is on Can I keep my doctor?.
What is the difference between a hospital and a health system?
A hospital is one building. A health system is the name that runs more than one. A plan can include one campus and not the others. The medical group is a third name. See Hospital or health system.
Is a PPO the same as keeping any doctor?
No. A PPO may pay some out-of-network care and still leave you with a higher bill. Original Medicare with a Supplement is a different structure.