Medicare Advantage at Stanford Health Care.
Which Medicare Advantage plans work with Stanford, how Medigap and Original Medicare access compares, and our advisor's tips on choosing a plan that keeps your Stanford providers in-network.
About Stanford Health Care
Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Stanford operates across California. Top 15 nationally; Top 5 in cancer, cardiology, and neurology, with national strength in cancer, cardiology, neurology, neurosurgery, and orthopedics.
Medicare Advantage carriers that contract with Stanford
Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of CA, Humana, UnitedHealthcare/AARP, Aetna, Stanford Health Care Advantage (Stanford's own plan).
Stanford operates Stanford Health Care Advantage (its own MA plan) in select Bay Area counties. Most Bay Area MA plans include Stanford in network.
Original Medicare with Medigap = full Stanford access
If keeping Stanford in-network is non-negotiable, the simplest path is Original Medicare (Parts A and B) plus a Medigap plan plus a standalone Part D plan. Medigap plans don't have networks — they pay out-of-pocket costs at any provider that accepts Medicare.
Stanford accepts Medicare. So: Original Medicare + Medigap means you can see any Stanford doctor, in any Stanford hospital, with no referrals or pre-authorizations.
The trade-off: Medigap costs $100-$250/month (versus often $0 for Medicare Advantage), and standalone Part D adds $15-$70/month. But you get total provider freedom and predictable out-of-pocket costs.
How to verify your Stanford doctor is in your Medicare Advantage plan
- Call the plan member services line with your doctor's full name and NPI number. Ask: "Is Dr. [Name], NPI [#####], in-network for [plan name] for 2027?"
- Check the plan's online provider directory. Search by full name. Verify the address matches your Stanford location.
- Call your Stanford doctor's office. Ask the receptionist which Medicare Advantage plans they accept. Verify both that the practice is in-network and that the specific physician is in-network — they're sometimes different.
- If you have specialists, repeat for each one. Network status varies physician-by-physician within the same hospital system.
Free 14-minute Medicare review.
A licensed advisor reviews your specific Stanford providers, your prescriptions, and finds the Medicare Advantage or Medigap option that keeps your care in-network. Free, no obligation.
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