The UMRA workshop on September 16 featured representatives from the University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources (OHR) and from Via Benefits, a company selected by the University to assist retirees with health insurance enrollment. The workshop presenters introduced UMRA members to the changes that are coming now that the University will no longer be offering group health insurance plans for Medicare-eligible retirees.

To help retirees choose an appropriate Medicare supplemental or advantage plan in the individual market place, the University is offering the services available from Via Benefits, including personalized assistance from professional advisors. 

For 2026, Medicare-eligible retirees who are currently enrolled in one of the U of M-offered eight group plans (two plans per each of four insurers) will have to purchase a supplemental or advantage plan on their own—with or without the help of Via Benefits—if they want coverage beyond Medicare Parts A and B, also known as Original Medicare. Parts A and B on average only cover about 80% of a retiree’s healthcare costs and no prescription drug costs.

There is a special enrollment period, from October 1 to December 31, to accomplish the new purchase. 

Reasons for the changes

Katie Kolodge and Ashley Moeller from OHR explained the reasons for the changes: limited flexibility in the current plans; lack of a centralized participation resource; a cumbersome, multi-step process for making enrollment changes; unavoidable premium increases because fewer than 4,000 retirees are spread across the current eight offerings; HealthPartners will be offering fewer Medicare supplement options in 2026; and UCare will be exiting the Medicare market entirely. 

The hope is that the individual marketplace will offer expanded choice, lower premiums, and a more streamlined process.

Betsey Peppas introduced Via Benefits. If a Medicare-eligible University retiree chooses to use their services, they should sign up online or through a phone call. Via Benefits advisors can then help compare options for suitable plans. These advisors are salaried, not commissioned, and have no personal financial stake in which option a person chooses. Via Benefits as an entity does collect commissions from selected carriers, but the benefits advisors are walled off from the relevant commission information.

More key points:

• There is no physical exam or “underwriting” required for the special enrollment period because the U of M is terminating its group plan offerings.
• Retirees who currently purchase dental benefits through the U of M’s Delta Dental plan may remain on that.
• For retirees who expect to do a lot of traveling, it will be important to consider whether a plan’s coverage of medical expenses is limited by location. Buying supplemental travel insurance is recommended for travel outside the U.S.

For step-by-step instructions, go to my.viabenefits.com/UofM. 

—Brad Clary, UMRA Program Committee

HealthPartners insurance and research beyond Via Benefits

• Consider contacting your previous health insurance provider directly -- they have Medicare Sales departments that can help step you through their different plans.  For example, if you had medicare insurance with Blue Cross through the UMN, call Blue Cross directly to ask them for assistance.
• From research multiple retirees have performed, HealthPartners definitely provides Medicare plans for 2026 -- however, Via Benefits does not offer Health Partners insurance plans.  If you wish to purchase HealthPartners insurance, contact them directly, go to their website, or find another Medicare navigator who does work with HealthPartners insurance.
• For a broad array of all Medicare options you can shop and compare yourself, see Medicare.gov for Minnesota.
• Another valuable resource is MN.gov website Medicare pages. Minnesota Aging Pathways is Minnesota’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and offers free, one-on-one help with your Medicare choices.
• Or check out MNSure https://www.mnsure.org/ if you may qualify for assistance with your medical costs.
• There are many other Medicare navigators.  Here are only a few:  Fidelity Investments; Twin Cities Underwriters; Trellis, Medicare Agents Hub; MN Credit Union Network.  Google "medicare navigators in [city]" for more options.