Central Health Medicare Plan is leaving Medicare after 2026: plans ending in 23 California counties

The short answer

Central Health Medicare Plan (also called Central Health Plan, or CHP; contract H5649) says all of its Medicare coverage ends December 31, 2026. On its website the plan says: “As of January 1, 2027, Central Health Medicare Plan will no longer offer Medicare coverage. All Medicare coverage will end December 31, 2026.”

That covers every Central Health plan, wherever you live in California. Is My Plan Ending? (ismyplanending.com), an independent tracker built on CMS data, lists Central Health plans ending in 23 California counties, with about 32,600 members in total. Find your county.

If you have a Central Health plan, it keeps working through December 31, 2026. You will not be moved into a new plan automatically. To have different coverage on January 1, 2027, choose and enroll in it during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, 2026.

You still have Medicare. If you don’t choose anything, you will have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) on January 1, 2027. Because you’d be in Original Medicare only, you would need to add drug coverage yourself.

This page is educational. It doesn’t recommend a plan.

Which counties is Central Health leaving?

Every Central Health plan under Medicare contract H5649 is ending. Is My Plan Ending? lists Central Health plans in these 23 counties. Select your county to see which plans are ending there.

Source for every count on this page: Is My Plan Ending?, which builds its county pages from CMS’s 2027 Landscape and Plan Crosswalk files and CMS’s September 2026 enrollment files. Plan counts are rounded. County totals and the statewide total are Doodle’s sums of the tracker’s rows, and they leave out plans the tracker shows as “10 or fewer.” Your own letter from the plan is the final word on your plan.

If your county isn’t in this list but you have a Central Health plan, your plan is still ending. Central Health says all of its Medicare coverage ends December 31, 2026.

Southern California counties

Los Angeles County

Central Health is leaving Los Angeles County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 7 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 7,700 members in total:

• Central Health Medicare Plan (HMO), H5649-001: about 3,300
• Central Health Part B Savings Plan (HMO), H5649-029: about 1,700
• Central Health Classic Care Plan I (HMO), H5649-027: about 910
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 900
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 540
• Central Health Jade Plan (HMO), H5649-022: about 350
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: about 10

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Los Angeles County (built on CMS data).

Orange County

Central Health is leaving Orange County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 7 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 2,000 members in total:

• Central Health Medicare Plan (HMO), H5649-001: about 760
• Central Health Classic Care Plan I (HMO), H5649-027: about 450
• Central Health Part B Savings Plan (HMO), H5649-029: about 380
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 210
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 190
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 30
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: 10 or fewer

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Orange County (built on CMS data).

Riverside County

Central Health is leaving Riverside County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 6 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 2,500 members in total:

• Central Health Medicare Plan (HMO), H5649-001: about 1,000
• Central Health Part B Savings Plan (HMO), H5649-029: about 600
• Central Health Classic Care Plan I (HMO), H5649-027: about 520
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 250
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 130
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: about 20

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Riverside County (built on CMS data).

San Bernardino County

Central Health is leaving San Bernardino County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 6 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 2,300 members in total:

• Central Health Medicare Plan (HMO), H5649-001: about 1,000
• Central Health Part B Savings Plan (HMO), H5649-029: about 590
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 320
• Central Health Classic Care Plan I (HMO), H5649-027: about 240
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 130
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: 10 or fewer

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, San Bernardino County (built on CMS data).

San Diego County

Central Health is leaving San Diego County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 5 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 1,800 members in total:

• Central Health Part B Savings Plan (HMO), H5649-029: about 700
• Central Health Classic Care Plan I (HMO), H5649-027: about 540
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 380
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 150
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: about 70

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, San Diego County (built on CMS data).

Imperial County

Central Health is leaving Imperial County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 5 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 2,400 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan II (HMO), H5649-028: about 1,200
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 700
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 360
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 170
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: about 20

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Imperial County (built on CMS data).

Ventura County

Central Health is leaving Ventura County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 2 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 140 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan II (HMO), H5649-028: about 120
• Central Health Medi-Medi Plan II (HMO D-SNP), H5649-009: about 20

Medi-Medi Plan II is for people who have both Medicare and Medi-Cal. See the question about Medi-Cal plans below.

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Ventura County (built on CMS data).

Central Valley counties

Fresno County

Central Health is leaving Fresno County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 5 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 1,800 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan II (HMO), H5649-028: about 830
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 550
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 250
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 130
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: about 70

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Fresno County (built on CMS data).

Kern County

Central Health is leaving Kern County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 5 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 1,700 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan I (HMO), H5649-027: about 760
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 560
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 230
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 150
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: about 30

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Kern County (built on CMS data).

Kings County

Central Health is leaving Kings County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 5 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 390 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan II (HMO), H5649-028: about 220
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 120
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 40
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 10
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: 10 or fewer

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Kings County (built on CMS data).

Madera County

Central Health is leaving Madera County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 5 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 70 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan II (HMO), H5649-028: about 40
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 30
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: 10 or fewer
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: 10 or fewer
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: 10 or fewer

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Madera County (built on CMS data).

Tulare County

Central Health is leaving Tulare County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 5 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 1,200 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan II (HMO), H5649-028: about 700
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 330
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 100
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 90
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: about 20

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Tulare County (built on CMS data).

San Joaquin County

Central Health is leaving San Joaquin County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 5 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 1,500 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan III (HMO), H5649-023: about 1,000
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 390
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 40
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 30
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: about 30

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, San Joaquin County (built on CMS data).

Stanislaus County

Central Health is leaving Stanislaus County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 4 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 70 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan III (HMO), H5649-023: about 40
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 20
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 10
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: 10 or fewer

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Stanislaus County (built on CMS data).

Sacramento-area counties

Sacramento County

Central Health is leaving Sacramento County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 4 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 1,800 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan III (HMO), H5649-023: about 1,300
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 320
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 150
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: about 60

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Sacramento County (built on CMS data).

Placer County

Central Health is leaving Placer County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 4 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 230 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan III (HMO), H5649-023: about 180
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 30
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 20
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: 10 or fewer

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Placer County (built on CMS data).

Yolo County

Central Health is leaving Yolo County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 4 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 50 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan III (HMO), H5649-023: about 40
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 10
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: 10 or fewer
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: 10 or fewer

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Yolo County (built on CMS data).

San Francisco Bay Area counties

Alameda County

Central Health is leaving Alameda County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 1 Central Health plan ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 140 members in total:

• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 140

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Alameda County (built on CMS data).

Contra Costa County

Central Health is leaving Contra Costa County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 1 Central Health plan ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 160 members in total:

• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 160

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Contra Costa County (built on CMS data).

San Francisco County

Central Health is leaving San Francisco County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 5 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 510 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan IV (HMO), H5649-018: about 340
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 80
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 50
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 40
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: 10 or fewer

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, San Francisco County (built on CMS data).

San Mateo County

Central Health is leaving San Mateo County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 5 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 1,000 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan IV (HMO), H5649-018: about 720
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 250
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 40
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: about 20
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: 10 or fewer

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, San Mateo County (built on CMS data).

Santa Clara County

Central Health is leaving Santa Clara County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 5 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 1,700 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan III (HMO), H5649-023: about 1,000
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 550
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 120
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO), H5649-030: about 20
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: 10 or fewer

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Santa Clara County (built on CMS data).

Solano County

Central Health is leaving Solano County. Is My Plan Ending? lists 4 Central Health plans ending there on December 31, 2026, with about 1,200 members in total:

• Central Health Classic Care Plan III (HMO), H5649-023: about 840
• Central Health Embrace Care Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-025: about 270
• Central Health Embrace Choice Plan (HMO C-SNP), H5649-026: about 60
• Central Health Dual Access Plan (HMO D-SNP), H5649-024: about 50

Source: Is My Plan Ending?, Solano County (built on CMS data).

What happens to my coverage on January 1, 2027?

Will I be moved into another plan automatically?

No. Central Health tells members to pick another Medicare plan in their area, and Is My Plan Ending? shows every Central Health plan as ending with no automatic move. If you want another Medicare Advantage plan or a drug plan for 2027, you have to enroll in one.

You may see 2027 plans with “Central Health” in the name. Those plans are under different Medicare contracts. Having a similar name doesn’t move you into one of them, and this page doesn’t suggest one.

What if I take Valor Care, which doesn’t include drug coverage?

Central Health’s 2026 notice for Valor Care Plan (HMO) says it doesn’t include Medicare Part D drug coverage. If you rely on drug coverage from somewhere else, such as an employer, union, or the VA, check that it still works with whatever you choose for 2027.

How much time do I have to choose new coverage?

You have two windows:

1. Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 to December 7, 2026. Anyone with Medicare can make changes. New coverage starts January 1, 2027.
2. Special Enrollment Period for plans that are ending: December 8, 2026 to February 28, 2027. Federal rules give a Special Enrollment Period to people whose plan is discontinued in their area (42 CFR 422.62(b)(1)). Medicare.gov lists the dates for a contract that isn’t renewed as December 8 through the last day of February.

Timing affects when your new coverage starts:

If you choose in January or February, you’ll have Original Medicare only until the new plan starts. That includes having no drug plan. Choosing by December 31 avoids that gap.

If you have Medi-Cal or get Extra Help with drug costs, you may get other chances to change coverage during the year. This applies to many Embrace (C-SNP), Dual Access (D-SNP), and Medi-Medi Plan II (D-SNP) members.

Can I get a Medigap policy without health questions?

You may be able to. When a Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare, federal rules give you a guaranteed-issue right to buy certain Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies. The insurer can’t turn you down or charge more because of your health. This right only applies if you switch to Original Medicare instead of joining another Medicare Advantage plan.

• Federal window: CMS’s Medigap guide says you can apply as early as 60 days before your Medicare Advantage coverage ends, and no later than 63 days after it ends.
• California adds 60 more days. California law gives people whose coverage was terminated by a Medicare Advantage plan “an additional 60-day open enrollment period to be added on to and run consecutively after” the federal window (Cal. Ins. Code § 10192.11(g); Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1358.11(g)).

Medigap plans sold after 2005 don’t include drug coverage, so you would also need a separate Part D drug plan if you want one. The Medigap policies you can buy this way depend on your situation, and Medigap works differently if you’re under 65. Before you count on this, confirm the details with a licensed agent or with HICAP, California’s Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program.

What should I do before December 7?

1. Read your plan’s letter. Plans that aren’t renewing are required to mail members a notice at least 90 days before coverage ends. The notice lists your deadlines and options.
2. Make your list. Write down your doctors and specialists, your medical group, your pharmacy, and each prescription with the drug name, dose, and how often you take it.
3. Check what’s available in your county. Medicare Advantage plans, networks, and drug lists differ from county to county, even between neighboring counties.
4. Decide what kind of coverage you want. The main choices are another Medicare Advantage plan, or Original Medicare with a Part D drug plan (and possibly Medigap).
5. Check your doctors and drugs against each option you’re considering.
6. Enroll by December 7, 2026 if you want new coverage on January 1. If you miss that date, use the Special Enrollment Period through February 28, 2027, keeping the start dates above in mind.
7. Keep your paperwork. Save your enrollment confirmation, your new plan’s welcome materials, and the Central Health termination letter. You may need the letter to show you have a Medigap guaranteed-issue right.

Parent guide: California Medicare Advantage plan exits (2026 AEP)

Soft next step

If you’d like help comparing your options, a licensed Doodle agent can go through your county, your doctors, and your prescriptions with you. Start a conversation with Doodle.

Common questions

Is CHP the same as Central Health Medicare Plan?

Yes. CHP is short for Central Health Plan, the company behind Central Health Medicare Plan (H5649). It’s leaving Medicare after 2026.

Do I lose Medicare when Central Health ends?

No. You keep Part A and Part B. What ends is the Central Health plan: its network, its extra benefits, and its drug coverage if your plan had drug coverage.

Do I have to do anything before December 31?

Your Central Health plan keeps working until then. To have a different Medicare Advantage plan or a drug plan on January 1, 2027, choose one by December 7 during Open Enrollment. If you miss that, choosing by December 31 under the Special Enrollment Period still gives you a January 1 start.

Is Central Health leaving only some counties?

No. Central Health says all of its Medicare coverage ends December 31, 2026. The county list above shows where Is My Plan Ending? lists Central Health plans, so you can see which plans in your county are ending.

Can I keep my doctors?

Only if they accept the coverage you choose. Under Original Medicare, they need to accept Medicare. Under a Medicare Advantage plan, they need to be in that plan’s network for your county. Call the office and check the plan’s provider directory before you enroll.

I’m in an Embrace Care or Embrace Choice plan. Is anything different?

These are Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs), and they are ending too. If you still qualify, other plans in your county may serve people with your condition. Your eligibility depends on the condition and on what’s offered in your county.

I have both Medicare and Medi-Cal. What changes for me?

Dual Access Plan and Medi-Medi Plan II are Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) for people who have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, and they are ending too. You still have Medicare, and the Central Health plan ending doesn’t by itself change whether you qualify for Medi-Cal. Because you have Medi-Cal, you may get more chances to change coverage during the year. Check what’s offered for people with Medicare and Medi-Cal in your county.

Is this page telling me which plan to choose?

No. This page explains what’s changing and what your deadlines are. The right choice depends on your county, doctors, prescriptions, and costs.

About this page

Written for Doodle by Khoi Le. Facts checked on October 8, 2026, against Central Health Medicare Plan’s public notice, county data from Is My Plan Ending? (built on CMS files) for all 23 counties listed, federal regulations, and California law.

This page is educational. It isn’t advice, a quote, or an invitation to enroll in a specific plan.

Sources

• Central Health Medicare Plan home page notice (centralhealthplan.com): “All Medicare coverage will end December 31, 2026”
• Central Health Valor Care Plan (HMO) 2026 Annual Notice of Change (centralhealthplan.com): no Part D drug coverage
• Is My Plan Ending? California and the 23 county pages linked in each county section above, built from the CMS CY2027 Landscape, the 2027 Plan Crosswalk, and September 2026 enrollment files
• 42 CFR 422.62(b)(1): Special Enrollment Period when a plan is discontinued
• 42 CFR 422.506(a)(2): nonrenewal notice to members
• Special Enrollment Periods (Medicare.gov): December 8 to the last day of February for contracts that aren’t renewed
• Choosing a Medigap Policy (CMS): when you can use a guaranteed-issue right; Medigap plans sold after 2005 don’t include drug coverage
• Cal. Ins. Code § 10192.11 and Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1358.11, subdivision (g)