Frequently Asked Questions for Medica and UCare Agreement

Medica/UCare Agreement effective January 1, 2026

Medica will be acquiring most of UCare's business starting January 1, 2026. As a result of this arrangement, UCare enrollees in Prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP, MinnesotaCare, Minnesota Senior Care Plus (MSC+) and non-integrated Special Needs BasicCare (SNBC) (UCare Connect) will remain enrolled in their current plans for 2026. The UCare Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) and integrated SNBC (UCare Connect + Medicare) will be ending as of December 31, 2025. UCare MSHO enrollees have the following options:

• Enroll in a different MSHO plan before December 31 for coverage effective January 1, 2026.

  • MAPS of MSHO plans by county

  • Contact information for MSHO plans

• Explore other Medicare options by visiting the Minnesota Aging Pathways website for more information. You can also call Minnesota Aging Pathways at 800-333-2433 or 1-800-Medicare for help.

• Current UCare MSHO enrollees that do not select a new Medicare plan before December 31, 2025 will be enrolled in original Medicare and assigned to a Part D (Medicare) prescription drug plan. They will also be assigned to UCare's MSC+ plan for their Medical Assistance coverage.

UCare integrated SNBC (UCare Connect + Medicare) enrollees have the following options:

• Explore other Medicare options by visiting the Minnesota Aging Pathways website for more information. You can also call Minnesota Aging Pathways at 800-333-2433 or 1-800-Medicare for help.

• Enrollees in the PrimeWest and South Country Health Alliance service areas can choose to enroll in those integrated SNBC plans.

  • MAPS of SNBC plans by county

• Current UCare Connect + Medicare enrolles that do not select a new Medicare plan before December 31, 2025 will be enrolled in traditional Medicare and assigned to a prescription drug plan. They will also be assigned to UCare's non-integrated SNBC plan for their Medical Assistance coverage.

As a result of this change, UCare MSHO and UCare Connect + Medicare enrollees can change plans from January 1, 2026 through March 31, 2026 using a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Anyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (expect a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) plan) can switch plans or return to Original Medicare (and join a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan).

• In addition, because you have Medicaid, you can make certain changes to your Medicare coverage any month including:

  • Disenrolling from a Medicare health plan and changing to Original Medicare by enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan, 

  • If you have coverage through Original Medicare, enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan or changing to a different Medicare drug plan if you already have one, or

  • If eligible, enroll in an integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) that provides your Medicare and most or all of your Medicaid benefits and services in one plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pick a new plan?
If you're in UCare's PMAP, MinnesotaCare, MSC+ or non-integrated SNBC (UCare Connect) products you do not need to do anything. You will remain in your current health plan. However, DHS will hold annual health plan selection in the coming weeks and all health plan enrollees can review plan options to determine if they are interested in switching to a new plan at that time.

If you are in UCare MSHO or UCare Connect + Medicare (integrated SNBC), you will need to make a selection or you will be assigned to Original Medicare, a Part D (Medicare) prescription drug plan, and UCare's Medical Assistance plan.

Will I be able to make a selection after Medicare open enrollment?
Yes, you will have through March 31, 2026 to make a new selection.

When is Annual Health Plan Selection (for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare)?
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is finalizing the details of plan options for 2026 and will share the dates for Annual Health Plan Selection as soon as everything is finalized. Annual Health Plan Selection will be extended to allow enrollees time to make new plan selections into the 2026 plan year. SNBC enrollees that can change their health plan monthly will continue to be able to do so.

How will I know what I need to do next?
DHS and UCare will be sending out information about health plan options for 2026 with information on what steps need to happen if your coverage is ending. Keep your eye on the mail for information from UCare and DHS.

Will UCare have the same name, providers and coverage I had before?
UCare will continue to operate as UCare in 2026. For people in non-Medicare UCare plans, they will continue with the same coverage and will have access to UCare's provider network.

Earlier this year it was announced that UCare was ending its Medicare Advantage business. Does this news change that decision?
No. UCare will still be ending it's Medicare Advantage business at the end of 2025.

What will happen if I am on UCare MSHO and have a spenddown?
Because you have a spenddown, you cannot enroll in MSC+. You will receive a letter from DHS explaining your options. You can either choose a new MSHO plan before December 31, 2025, or you will receive your Medical Assistance fee for service (FFS). If you receive you Medical Assistance FFS, you will need to choose a separate Medicare Part D plan.