UCare has announced plans to withdraw from non-senior Medicaid coverage in 11 Minnesota counties, affecting 88,000 members. This is being done after making cuts to staff and suffering financial losses.
The Minneapolis-based health insurance nonprofit said it will not provide Medicaid coverage beginning September 1, 2025, in the following northwest Minnesota counties: Pennington and Roseau counties. The other counties affected are Benton, Chisago, Crow Wing, Ramsey, Sherburne, Stearns, St. Louis, Wadena, and Wright counties. UCare said the withdrawal is expected to be temporary.
UCare, which is contracted through the state to administer Medicaid insurance, pays for members’ insurance claims and receives a monthly payment from the state, but the state’s payment rates are inadequate.
In agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, UCare made the decision to offset further losses in particular counties.
Minnesota’s HMO continuity of care statute requires health plans to allow people to continue to see their current provider for up to 120 days if they are in the middle of a course of treatment, according to the department.
The department stated that enrollees should call their providers to ensure they are in network with their new health plan.
