Don't Choose What's Not on the Menu

As blog readers may know, UCLA recently created its own Medicare Advantage plan for those eligible for Medicare (typically age 65+ and/or disabled). At least two letters have been mailed to LA County residents eligible for Medicare by UCLA Health advertising the plan in time for open enrollment season.

The UCLA plan, however, is not among the health insurance options offered to emeriti and retirees under the UC retirement system. So, if you are Medicare-eligible and under UC retirement insurance, you should not sign up for UCLA's Medicare Advantage plan.* UC does offer a Medicare Advantage option, but the plan offered by UC is not UCLA's. Perhaps at some future date, the UCLA plan will be on the UC menu, but not in 2026.

In principle, a UC retiree would be told this information were he/she to call the number provided on the letter. But there is a difference between principle and practice.
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*Note: Some emeriti and some retirees are not eligible for UC health insurance. Those persons, of course, should consider the UCLA plan as an option.