UCare To End Medicare Advantage Plans: UCare which is one of Minnesota’s largest nonprofit health insurers announced recently that it will stop offering all Medicare Advantage plans at the end of 2025. This change will affect around 158,000 seniors who currently rely on these plans for their healthcare. The Minneapolis-based company said it will fully leave the Medicare Advantage market starting January 1, 2026. The decision comes after months of financial review and talks with regulators.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said CEO Hilary Marden-Resnik. She added that the company will work closely with its members to make sure the transition is smooth. UCare has filed a request for mutual termination of its contracts with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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The company explained that rising healthcare costs, higher medical use, and lower federal payments made it hard to continue its Medicare Advantage business. UCare will still offer other products like Medicaid, Medicare Supplement, and individual and family health plans.
The company also said that this move will lead to about 144 jobs being cut, which is nearly 9 percent of UCare’s workforce. For many seniors in Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin, the announcement was a surprise. UCare currently has over a quarter of the state’s Medicare Advantage market, making this exit one of the largest in recent Minnesota history.
What this Means For Seniors?
Seniors enrolled in UCare Medicare Advantage plans will need to find new coverage for 2026. Members will not be automatically moved to another plan. If they do nothing, they will go back to Original Medicare, which covers hospital and medical services but does not include prescription drugs unless paired with a Part D plan.
Special enrollment period
Affected seniors will get a special enrollment period that extends past the usual Medicare open enrollment from October 15 to December 7. This special window may continue through late February 2026, giving members more time to choose a new plan and avoid losing coverage.
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Experts warn seniors not to wait until the last minute. Jean Abraham, a professor at the University of Minnesota, said, “They’ll need to be active shoppers in this coming open enrollment season. So really evaluating what options are available there … and reaching out for help, because help does exist.” Seniors are encouraged to compare plans early, get advice, and make informed decisions to ensure uninterrupted healthcare in 2026.
