UCare Medicare Advantage Plans Ending in Minnesota – Here’s What To Do
Watch: UCare Medicare Advantage Exit 2026 Explained
In this video, I explain what it means for Minnesota seniors now that UCare is dropping Medicare Advantage plans in 2026. Watch to learn what your notice means, key deadlines, and how to protect your coverage.
UCare Medicare Advantage Plans Ending in 2026
UCare is dropping Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, which means every UCare MA member in Minnesota must pick new coverage for January 1, 2026. To make your choices clearer, the list below includes the UCare Medicare Advantage plans ending on December 31, 2025, and the UCare plans continuing after 2025 (like Medigap, MSHO, and ACA plans). Use this as a quick reference before you compare options or use your Guaranteed Issue rights for Medigap.
UCare Medicare Advantage Plans Ending December 31, 2025
All UCare Medicare Advantage members will need new coverage starting January 1, 2026. The following plans are ending:
- UCare Medicare (HMO-POS): Classic Metro, Classic North, Classic South, Complete Metro, Complete North, Complete South, Essentials Rx Metro, Essentials Rx North, Standard, Aware, Value, Value Plus
- UCare Your Choice (PPO): Your Choice, Your Choice Plus
- EssentiaCare (PPO): EssentiaCare Access, EssentiaCare Grand, EssentiaCare Secure
- UCare Advocate (HMO I-SNP): Advocate Choice, Advocate Plus
- UCare Medicare Group Plans (H2459)
What this means for you: If you’re on any of these plans, your coverage will end after December 31, 2025. You’ll need to choose a new Medicare Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare with a Medigap and Part D plan for 2026.
UCare Plans Continuing in 2026 (Non-Medicare Advantage)
These UCare plans will continue after 2025:
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap): Still available separately from Medicare Advantage
- Individual & Family Plans (ACA/Marketplace): Continue for Minnesotans who qualify
- Minnesota Senior Care Plus (MSC+): Continuing
- Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO): Continuing
Plans that remain but with limited areas in 2026:
- Prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP): Service areas reduced
- MinnesotaCare: County availability reduced
- UCare Connect & UCare Connect + Medicare: Continue but only in 14 metro counties (Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington, Wright)
What this means for you: If you’re in one of these programs (Medigap, Medicaid, or MinnesotaCare), your coverage may continue, but some service areas are shrinking. Always double-check your county to make sure your plan is still available in 2026.
Source: UCare Plan Closure FAQ. Always verify your specific county and plan details before enrolling.
How to Read Your UCare Termination Notice
Every fall, Medicare enrollees receive an Annual Notice of Change. For UCare members, this notice will explain exactly what’s happening and outline your next steps. It often gets buried under piles of postcards and flyers, but it’s the most important piece of mail you’ll get this year.
Keep your UCare notice. You’ll need it for the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7). If you don’t act by then, you still have a Special Enrollment Period because UCare is ending its Medicare Advantage plans. However, waiting can limit your choices—start comparisons early.
Comparing Medicare Plan Options in Minnesota After UCare’s Exit
Once you know your plan is ending, don’t wait until December. Every year, I see people delay and then scramble when call centers are jammed and paperwork is delayed. Starting early means less stress and more confidence.
Here’s what to consider:
- Networks: Medicare Advantage plans limit you to certain doctors and hospitals. Medicare Supplement plans generally allow you to see any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide.
- Prior Authorizations: Medicare Advantage often requires approval for tests, procedures, or treatments. Medicare Supplement plans usually do not.
- Plan Changes: Medicare Advantage plans can change their premiums, benefits, and networks annually. Medicare Supplement benefits stay consistent once you’re enrolled.
- Maximum Out-of-Pocket: Medicare Advantage plans must cap your costs each year. In 2025, the cap is $9,350 for in-network services, though many plans set lower limits. This resets every year.
Another Medicare Advantage plan may be available in your county, but with lower reimbursement from CMS, carriers are under pressure. That often means shrinking networks, fewer extras, and higher premiums. Having all the facts side by side helps you make the right choice for your situation.
Guaranteed Issue Rights for Minnesota Medicare Supplement Plans
One of the most important protections you have is a guaranteed issue right. When a Medicare Advantage plan ends, you can switch into certain Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans without health questions. This right was a lifeline for many Minnesotans in 2018, and it will matter again in 2026.
Guaranteed Issue Rights: When your Medicare Advantage plan ends, you can buy certain Medigap plans without health questions. This protection starts 60 days before your plan ends and lasts 63 days after it ends. For UCare members, that’s Nov 1, 2025 through Mar 3, 2026. After that, insurers can again use health underwriting.
Comparing Minnesota Medigap Plans (Basic + Riders, Extended Basic, Co-Payment, High-Deductible F)
Minnesota doesn’t use the standard Medigap lettered plans (A–N) that most states do. Instead, we have a Basic Medigap plan that covers the core benefits, plus optional riders you can add for things like the Part A deductible, Part B excess charges, and foreign travel. There’s also an Extended Basic plan and a Co-Payment plan (similar to Plan N in other states). The comparison below illustrates the key differences between the main Minnesota options.
Rider availability and pricing vary by insurer—always verify details with the specific carrier.
Basic Plan + Riders
- Part A hospital coinsurance & extra days: Covered
- Part B coinsurance: Covered
- Skilled nursing coinsurance: Covered
- Part A inpatient deductible: Available via rider
- Part B deductible: Grandfathered rider only (Medicare before 1/1/2020)
- Part B excess charges: Rider available (insurer-dependent)
- Foreign travel emergency: 80% with rider
- Blood / home health / preventive care: Covered
- Cost pattern: Low/steady; riders add coverage as needed
Extended Basic
- Part A hospital coinsurance & extra days: Covered
- Part B coinsurance: Covered
- Skilled nursing coinsurance: Covered
- Part A inpatient deductible: Covered
- Part B deductible: Grandfathered only (pre-2020 eligibility)
- Part B excess charges: Covered
- Foreign travel emergency: 80% covered
- Blood / home health / preventive care: Covered
- Cost pattern: Richer coverage; higher premium than Basic
Co-Payment Plan (MN’s Plan N)
- Part A hospital coinsurance & extra days: Covered
- Part B coinsurance: Covered with copays (~$20 office / $50 ER)
- Skilled nursing coinsurance: Covered
- Part A inpatient deductible: Covered
- Part B deductible: Not covered
- Part B excess charges: Not covered
- Foreign travel emergency: 80% covered
- Blood / home health / preventive care: Covered
- Cost pattern: Lower premium; small, predictable copays
High-Deductible F
- Most benefits: Covered after a high deductible (~$2,800 in 2025)
- Part A inpatient deductible: Covered after deductible
- Part B deductible: Not covered (since 2020 for new enrollees)
- Part B excess charges: Covered after deductible
- Foreign travel emergency: 80% after deductible
- Blood / home health / preventive care: Covered after deductible
- Cost pattern: Lowest premium; you pay first until deductible is met
* Part B deductible coverage is only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 (MACRA). Newer enrollees can’t add this benefit.
Why a Local Minnesota Medicare Agent Makes a Difference
Medicare isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every county has a different mix of plans, and every person has unique needs. That’s why it helps to work with someone who can show you multiple carriers—not just one.
When I meet with people, I always start with their doctors and prescriptions. In 2018, those details often decided the difference between a smooth transition and a costly mistake. Premiums matter, but so do formularies, network rules, and maximum out-of-pocket limits. Having an experienced guide means you don’t overlook something that could cost you later.
Final Thoughts: Preparing for UCare’s Medicare Advantage Exit
Yes, Ucare is dropping most Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, but Minnesota still has strong options. Medicare offers protections, and the difference comes down to acting early.
I’ve walked Minnesotans through this before, and I can say with confidence: you’ll get through it too. Many of the people I helped in 2018 are still covered well today, and that’s the outcome I want for you.
Bottom line: Watch for your notice. Compare your options early. Use your Medicare rights. And most importantly—don’t wait. The deadline is December 7.
Call today to set up a time, and let’s make sure you’re covered with confidence going into 2026.
Licensed Insurance Agent Specializing in Medicare Coverage
Serving clients nationwide since 2018 | Licensed in 20+ states
I’ve been helping people turning 65 make sense of Medicare since 2018. I’m licensed and certified in multiple states and offer remote meetings to make the process simple and pressure-free, so you can choose a plan with confidence.