As of January 1, 2026, certain Medicare Advantage plans will no longer be available. If you are affected, you should have been notified through a letter sent by your insurance provider. Unfortunately, there will be less Medicare Advantage plans to pick from, along with higher premiums for some Minnesotans.
You will not be losing Medicare; you have other options that will continue. Once you have been notified that your plan is being discontinued, you need to look into other Medicare Advantage plans that are still available or consider enrolling in Original Medicare and possibly a Medigap plan to supplement Original Medicare. Original Medicare is the federal program for individuals 65 years of age or older. Medigap plans are not being discontinued.
Discontinued Plans
All Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are provided by a private insurance carrier. Many have been discontinued across Minnesota for 2026. Below are some of the discontinued plans for 2026.
- UCare Medicare Advantage plans have been discontinued for anyone in Minnesota.
- Quartz Advantage will not offer individual Medicare Advantage plans in Winona County. But it will still offer its plan to individuals living in Fillmore, Houston, and Wabasha Counties.
- United Healthcare very recently reached an agreement for just one year with Fairview to continue covering patients at Fairview hospitals and clinics. Before the agreement, United Healthcare had not agreed to offer Medicare Advantage plans in southern Minnesota.
Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare
Both options have certain benefits. Medicare Advantage plans are generally less costly up front (monthly premiums), but they have more coverage restrictions due to limits on providers/doctors in a network. Medicare Advantage may offer some help with costs associated with dental and vision care. Part D, prescription drug coverage, is often included in Medicare Advantage plans. Preauthorization and referrals are often required.
Original Medicare includes Part A, hospital care, and Part B, doctor appointment and outpatient care. Without the purchase of a supplement, there could be significant out-of-pocket costs when using health care services. The purchase of a supplement (Medigap) to Original Medicare through a private insurance provider may cost more up front than Medicare Advantage but it will significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs (co-pays). Part D, prescription drug coverage, is available separately for a monthly premium. No dental or vision coverage is included in Original Medicare which is managed by the federal government. You will be allowed to see a doctor that accepts Medicare. Rarely, will a preauthorization for treatment be required.
Enrollment Period
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period has begun and runs through December 7, 2025.
If your Medicare Advantage plan has been eliminated for 2026, do some research before making a decision. Determine if your doctor or preferred provider is in a plan’s network that you are considering. How much will the premiums, deductibles, and co-pays be? What about prescriptions; will yours be covered? What can you afford?
Compare several plans. Make sure your doctor and/or provider is in the plan’s network.
The government (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) rates Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans. Plans are rated on quality and performance. These plans are sold by private companies but regulated by the government. Medicare Advantage plans that have Part D coverage for prescription drugs are rated on customer service, drug safety and pricing.
Details of a special enrollment period should be noted in the letter if your Medicare Advantage plan was eliminated. This could be an opportunity, in some cases, to qualify for a “guaranteed issue” chance to enroll in a Medigap plan and Original Medicare without a health screening.
To get answers to your questions, contact a licensed Medicare agent to help identify a plan that is best for you. This includes the cost you can afford (premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket), if your provider/doctor and hospital are in network, and if your medications are covered.
For more information on your options go to Medicare.gov and click on Find Plans Now.
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