Transitions can be troublesome for patients when their doctors don’t have in-network contracts with new health plans, but UCare officials say they don’t anticipate significant disruptions because other insurers have comprehensive Medicaid networks in affected counties.
UCare is reducing its service area in the Prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP) and MinnesotaCare, the largest of several health care programs in Minnesota that are funded via Medicaid.
As of Sept. 1, UCare will be leaving PMAP and MinnesotaCare in the following counties: Benton, Chisago, Crow Wing, Pennington, Ramsey, Roseau, Sherburne, Stearns, St. Louis, Wadena and Wright, state officials said.
Medicaid is a widely used program, including about 23% of all Minnesota women of child-bearing age in 2025, researchers at Georgetown University found.
UCare says its service area will remain unchanged for its Medicaid plans for seniors and people with disabilities.
Similarly, the changes don’t affect UCare’s large Medicare Advantage health plan, which provides coverage to about 180,000 seniors in Minnesota. Medicare Advantage is a privatized form of Medicare, where seniors opt to receive government-funded benefits through private health insurers. Also unaffected is UCare’s business selling coverage for individuals and families through the MNsure health insurance exchange.