Santa Cruz County is in the Sonoran Desert and sky-island mountains along the border with Mexico. The county seat is Nogales.
A border county: Nogales is one of the busiest crossings into Mexico, and Rio Rico and Tubac are nearby. Medicare generally doesn’t pay for care in Mexico; see our page on Medicare and Mexico.
2027 plans in Santa Cruz County at a glance
What it means if you live in Santa Cruz County
- That's 3 plans fewer than in 2026 (20). If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your Annual Notice of Change to see whether it continues and what changes.
- 6 are HMOs (you generally use the plan's network) and 11 are PPOs (which also pay out-of-network doctors, usually at a higher cost to you).
- 4 plans have no Part D drug coverage. Those suit people who get drug coverage elsewhere, such as from the VA; otherwise you could owe a late-enrollment penalty for going without it.
- Special needs plans here: 6 for people with both Medicare and AHCCCS (Medicaid); 5 for people with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart failure. You can join one only if you qualify.
- Santa Cruz County ranks 6th of Arizona's 15 counties for plans open to everyone. In the Southern Arizona region (3 counties), the count runs from 15 to 52.
- At least 7,936 people in Santa Cruz County were in a Medicare Advantage plan in October 2026.
Licensed insurance agents for Santa Cruz County
These independent insurance agents are licensed in Arizona and work with Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. When they enroll you in a plan, the agent and Benefits Life may be paid by the insurance company. Learn more.
See Medicare plans in Santa Cruz County
Enter your ZIP code to compare Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans available where you live.
You'll go to PlanMatchMedicare.com, a plan comparison site from Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. Only your ZIP code is sent.
Original Medicare and Medigap
If you'd rather keep any doctor who takes Medicare, Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and a Part D plan works the same in every Arizona county. Medigap in Arizona.
Nearby counties
You can only join a Medicare Advantage plan sold in the county where you live.
| County | Plans open to everyone, 2027 | Special needs plans |
|---|---|---|
| Cochise County | 15 | 13 |
| Pima County | 52 | 36 |
| Pinal County | 47 | 24 |
| Graham County | 19 | 13 |
Visit an insurance agency office
Find independent insurance agency offices in Arizona on MedicareResourceCenter.com.
Find an office2026 Medicare costs (the same in every county)
| Cost | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Part B premium | $202.90 a month (standard) |
| Part B deductible | $283 a year |
| Part A deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 a year |
Other places to get answers
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, or Medicare.gov.
- Social Security (signing up for Parts A and B, Extra Help): 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778.
- AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid, and help with Medicare costs): azahcccs.gov.
- Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (complaints about an insurance company or agent): difi.az.gov.
Questions about Medicare in Santa Cruz County
How many Medicare Advantage plans are there in Santa Cruz County for 2027?
CMS lists 17 open to everyone with Medicare (20 in 2026), plus 11 special needs plans for people who qualify. You still pay your Part B premium.
When can I change my Medicare plan in Santa Cruz County?
Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, for coverage starting January 1. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once between January 1 and March 31. If your plan leaves your county, you get a Special Enrollment Period.
How do I find a licensed insurance agent in Santa Cruz County?
Use the agent search on this page, or call (602) SENIORS (602-736-4677), TTY 711 to compare plans with a licensed insurance agent at no cost to you. Agents listed here are licensed in Arizona.
Sources
Plans open to everyone are Medicare Advantage plans with or without drug coverage, not special needs plans. Enrollment counts HMO and PPO plans; CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer, so real numbers are a little higher.