UCARE to End Medicare Advantage Plans in 2026

Greg and Jenny Doss, a couple from Brooklyn Park, are facing uncertainty as UCARE, a Minnesota nonprofit organization, recently announced it will discontinue its Medicare Advantage products by 2026. At 71 and 69 years old, respectively, the Dosses are already feeling the impact of this decision.

According to a notice shared by 5 Eyewitness News, UCARE’s decision stemmed from governmental approvals affecting their plans. “We’ll have to explore other options,” Jenny mentioned, expressing concern about potentially greater out-of-pocket expenses. Both are retired, and it seems many others in Minnesota are in a similar situation.

UCARE indicated that most of its members will lose their Medicare Advantage coverage by the end of the year. The organization is awaiting final decisions on some requests submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), meaning members must choose new coverage starting in October.

CMS is the federal body that collaborates with states to manage Medicaid and Medicare programs.

UCARE’s President and CEO, Hilary Marden-Resnik, stated, “This decision was not made lightly. We are committed to assisting our members during this transition.” Despite having paid substantial monthly premiums over the years, the Dosses are concerned about their healthcare security.

Greg, a former target executive, admitted that such changes are unsettling. “I never really understood how it all worked. It’s definitely scary,” he said. The couple values their current Medicare Advantage plan, which simplifies most healthcare costs, including prescriptions, although they do face occasional co-payments.

“If they could just say, ‘You can stay on it, but we won’t take new members,’ that would be something,” Jenny said, highlighting their loyalty to timely premium payments. “We’ve never abused it.”

The past few years have brought health challenges for Greg, who suffered a heart attack in 2017 and a gallbladder attack in 2021. “I didn’t plan for those events,” he noted. “But they are part of the insurance experience.” UCARE explained that rising healthcare costs and various market challenges have heavily influenced their decision.

In July, it was reported that Minnesota could face a loss of over $500 million in Medicaid funding linked to recent tax and spending cuts by the federal government.

UCARE confirmed that affected members would still be covered through the end of this year, and the organization will continue offering other services, such as Medicaid and Medicare supplement plans.

Meanwhile, a UCARE spokesperson noted that 8% of their workforce has been laid off as part of these changes. 5 Eyewitness News is investigating the broader implications for those affected.

The Dosses are now actively searching for a medical plan that suits their needs. “You just hope you don’t end up needing expensive medications,” Jenny explained. “If we switch providers, will we still have access to the same benefits?”