UCare Medicare Advantage plan closures frequently asked questions
Updated Dec. 10, 2025
Medicare Advantage plan closures
UCare and Medica have signed a definitive agreement, subject to regulatory approval, under which Medica will acquire certain contracts and assets of UCare. Under the agreement, members enrolling in UCare's 2026 Medicaid and Individual and Family Plans will continue to receive services without interruption.
UCare Medicare Advantage plans are closing and are not part of the agreement with Medica.
To provide clarity on this situation and help members find a new Medicare plan, we've put together a list of FAQs to answer questions you may have.
Medicare Advantage plan closures
No, UCare Medicare Advantage plans will not transfer to Medica in 2026. UCare members must enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan by Feb. 28, 2026.
UCare Medicare Plans (HMO-POS) (H2459)
- 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 Plans (PPO) (H8070)
- Your Choice
- Your Choice Plus
EssentiaCare Plans (PPO) (H8783)
- EssentiaCare Access
- EssentiaCare Grand
- EssentiaCare Secure
UCare Advocate plans (HMO I-SNP) (H2459)
- Advocate Choice
- Advocate Plus
UCare Medicare Group plans (H2459)
No. There are no changes to your Medicare Advantage plan for 2025. You can continue using your UCare benefits and see your providers as normal through Dec. 31, 2025.
Effective immediately, new members will no longer be able to enroll.
UCare is deeply committed to supporting our members with care, clarity and compassion during this time of change. We've made it a priority to provide information and resources to help members understand their options. UCare Medicare Advantage members can find detailed guidance on our UCare plan closure page. EssentiaCare members can find guidance on the EssentiaCare plan closure page. Even in the face of difficult decisions, our promise to advocate for our members and help them navigate their health care remains unchanged.
UCare understands that timely communication is important and we would have preferred to share these changes with members earlier. However, we were required to follow strict guidelines set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which state when health plans can publicly communicate plan changes to members. These rules are in place to ensure fairness and consistency across the industry, but that meant we had to wait longer than we would have liked to notify members. As soon as we were permitted, we began sharing information and offering support to help members understand their options.
Help with enrolling in a new plan
Do you currently have a Medicare Advantage plan with UCare? Learn more and get help finding a new plan on the plan closure page.
You can shop for and enroll in a new Medicare plan between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, 2025. Because you are eligible for a special enrollment period (SEP), if you enroll by Dec. 31, your new plan starts Jan. 1, 2026.
If you don't choose a new plan by Dec. 31, after that, you'll only be enrolled in Original Medicare and your prescription drug coverage will end. You'd still have until Feb. 28, 2026 to join a new plan that includes drug coverage.
How can I find and enroll in a new plan?
- Follow up with your local broker to find a new plan that meets your needs.
- Visit Minnesota Aging Pathways, formerly the Minnesota Senior LinkAge Line, or call 1‑800‑333‑2433.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1‑800‑633‑4227); TTY users call 1‑877‑486‑2048. Tell them you got a letter saying your plan isn't going to be offered next year and you want help choosing a new plan. This toll-free helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Visit medicare.gov for information on policies and tools that can help you find and compare plans available in your area.
Yes, Minnesota Aging Pathways offers free, unbiased one-on-one assistance. Call 1‑800‑333‑2433 to set up a meeting or contact your local broker.
Or you can call 1-800-MEDICARE. Tell them you got a letter saying your plan isn't going to be offered next year and you want help choosing a new plan. This toll-free helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can compare plans based on coverage, costs, star ratings and participating providers using the medicare.gov plan finder or by talking with a trusted broker or a Minnesota Aging Pathways representative.
Both can help you review plan choices and find coverage that meets your needs. At medicare.gov, you select the coverage year, enter your county and the type of plan you want. You can also enter the prescriptions you take and your providers. It will display all the plans in your area that meet your criteria.
A broker is an independent agent who will assess your needs, lifestyle and budget and help find a plan that fits just right for you. The best part? Brokers help at no cost to you. They compare options from multiple companies but may represent only some or all of the plans available in your area.
If you have UCare Medicare Advantage through retiree coverage, please contact your benefits administrator or human resources contact to discuss your options for 2026.
No, prior authorizations do not automatically transfer when you move to a new plan. If you enroll in a new plan, you or your provider will need to submit a new prior authorization request for any services or medications that require approval.
Can I keep my doctor with a new plan?
When reviewing new plans, check to see if your doctor is in the plan's provider network (to see if your doctor or clinic is covered). You can review the health plan's provider network on the health plan's website. You can also search for plans with your providers in network at medicare.gov or you can call Minnesota Aging Pathways at 1‑800‑333‑2433 for assistance.
Each plan has a formulary, or list of covered medications. You can review these on the health plan's website. You can also search for plans that will cover your medications at medicare.gov or you can call Minnesota Aging Pathways at 1‑800‑333‑2433 for assistance.
If bill pay was set up through your bank to pay UCare for premiums, you will need to work with your bank to end the payments by December 31, 2025.
If you set up autopay through the online member account, the end date for your payments will automatically be set to Dec. 31, 2025.
If you have Social Security deductions set up, any premium deductions tied to your current UCare Medicare Advantage plan will stop automatically once your plan ends December 31, 2025.
If you've prepaid premiums beyond December 2025, UCare will issue a refund.
Medicare basics
An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plan requires you to use doctors and hospitals in the plans network, except in emergencies. You usually need to choose a primary care doctor and get referrals to see a specialist. A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan offers more flexibility. You can see any doctor, but you'll pay less if you use doctors or hospitals within the network.
MOOP stands for maximum out of pocket. It's the most you'll pay in a year for covered medical services before your plan starts paying 100% of covered costs.
OEP stands for Open Enrollment Period. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is an opportunity to change plans that occurs every year and for a three-month period upon new eligibility to both Medicare Part A and Part B. Individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans can disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan to switch to Original Medicare (with or without a standalone Part D plan) or enroll in a different Medicare Advantage plan during this time.
FPL stands for federal poverty line. It's the income level the federal government uses to determine eligibility for certain programs and benefits.
A Cost Plan is a type of Medicare plan available in some areas that works with Original Medicare. You can see any Medicare provider but when you use network providers, your costs are usually lower.
Medicare supplemental benefits are extra services or items that Medicare Advantage plans offer in addition to what is covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). This can include dental, vision, fitness programs or over-the-counter allowances in addition to what Original Medicare covers.
Veteran Affairs (VA) health benefits and Medicare benefits are separate systems. Having one does not prevent you from having the other. Changes to your Medicare Advantage will not impact your VA benefits.
If you get your prescriptions through Veteran Affairs (VA), you are not required to enroll in a Medicare Part D. Since the coverage provided by the VA is "creditable" (meaning at least as good as the value of Part D), you will not be subject to a penalty if you decide to enroll in a Part D plan later. However, you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period to enroll.
Original Medicare generally does not require prior authorizations for most services.
Medicare Supplement Plan information
Yes, Medigap and Medicare Supplement are the same thing. The terms are used interchangeably. Medigap is private health insurance that helps cover some of the out-of-pocket costs not paid by Original Medicare (copayments, coinsurance and deductibles).
Medigap plans have higher premiums but allow you to see any Medicare provider nationwide with few out-of-pocket costs for hospital and medical services. However, they only include limited preventive care coverage and do not include many of the extras found in Medicare Advantage plans (e.g., dental, over-the-counter allowance and prescription eyewear coverage) and you need to add Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage separately.
Medicare Advantage plans usually have lower premiums and include extra benefits like dental or vision but limits you to provider networks and may require prior authorizations.
Because your coverage under your UCare plan ends December 31, 2025, you have a limited right to enroll in a Basic Medicare Supplement plan from any insurance company that offers it in Minnesota. You can also buy any combination of four specific riders that will pay for additional benefits.
Make sure you keep a copy of the letter that says your coverage is ending. Because your coverage under our plan ends December 31, 2025, you must buy a Medigap policy no later than March 4, 2026. If you leave our plan before December 31, 2025, you have 63 calendar days from the day your coverage ends to buy a Medigap policy.
You cannot enroll in Medigap plan through the plan finder. Medigap plans are sold by private insurers, not Medicare. To enroll, you must contact the insurance company directly or use an insurance broker.