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Service Area

The geographic area where SCAN accepts members. The service area is also where you can get your routine (non-emergency) healthcare services. You must live in the service area to become and remain a member of SCAN.

Special Enrollment Period

A set time when members can change their health or drugs plans or return to Original Medicare. Situations in which you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period include: if you move outside the service area, if you are getting “Extra Help” with your prescription drug costs, if you move into a nursing home, or if we violate our contract with you.

Special Needs Plan

A special type of Medicare Advantage Plan that provides more focused health care for specific groups of people, such as those who have both Medicare and Medi-Cal (Medicaid), who reside in a nursing home, or who have certain chronic medical conditions. SCAN has several Special Needs Plans, including SCAN Balance (for people with diabetes), Heart First (for people with heart disease) and Connections (for people eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare.

Specialist

A doctor who provides health care services for a specific disease or part of the body. Examples include oncologists (care for cancer patients), cardiologists (care for the heart), and orthopedists (care for bones).