Insurers shrink Medicare Advantage coverage in Minnesota
UnitedHealth announced it will sharply reduce its Medicare Advantage footprint in Minnesota—pulling out of 45 counties and shrinking from 72 to 27 counties—affecting about 20% of its state subscribers. Other insurers including UCare, HealthPartners, Aetna and Blue Cross are also scaling back or exiting Medicare Advantage offerings; insurers cite federal Medicare funding cuts, and changes take effect Jan. 1, with affected members defaulting to Original Medicare unless they choose alternatives.
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🔍 Key Facts
- UnitedHealth will withdraw Medicare Advantage coverage from 45 Minnesota counties, reducing its presence from 72 to 27 counties.
- The move affects about 20% of UnitedHealth’s Medicare Advantage subscribers in Minnesota; UCare has announced it will stop offering Medicare Advantage plans in 2026.
- Plan changes take effect Jan. 1; members losing Medicare Advantage are automatically placed on Original Medicare, which lacks built-in prescription drug or extra benefits unless they enroll in Part D or a supplement.