Got a letter from Hoag? Here is what it means for your Medicare plan

Hoag’s patient letter, dated September 28, 2026

• The contract between Hoag and the plan for Medicare Advantage HMO members expires on December 31, 2026.
• During October and November, the plan will assign affected members a new primary care physician who is not part of Hoag.
• Beginning January 1, 2027, those members will no longer have access to Hoag specialists or elective inpatient and outpatient services at Hoag facilities. These include Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, Hoag Hospital Irvine, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, Hoag Medical Group, Hoag Specialty Clinic, and others.
• Emergency care at the Hoag hospitals is not affected.
• Members may have “continuity of care” rights for a limited period, as decided by the plan.

Source: Hoag patient letter dated September 28, 2026. Plan networks can change, so I confirm your doctors and hospitals against each plan before you enroll. For the statewide numbers, see my 2027 Medicare changes guide.

Why December 7 matters

• October 15 – December 7: Annual Enrollment. You can change Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, and the change starts January 1.
• January 1 – March 31: the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period lets people already in a Medicare Advantage plan make one change. If you wait, you would be without Hoag specialists from January 1 until the change takes effect.