The University of Minnesota Medicare insurance program will end December 31. This means that Medicare-eligible retirees who are currently enrolled in one of the eight U of M group plans offered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, HealthPartners, Medica, or UCare will need to purchase a new Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage plan on their own for 2026. 

To facilitate this change, the University has arranged for Via Benefits to assist with insurance selection and enrollment. Working with Via Benefits (go to my.viabenefits.com/UofM) is free and optional. [Note: The website may be slow to respond.] You can also go to an insurance broker or contact insurance companies directly.

Other important points:

• This transition to the individual marketplace applies only to those currently enrolled in one of the U of M retiree health plans.
• Retirees who currently purchase dental benefits through the U of M’s Delta Dental plan may remain on that insurance.
• Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers only 80% of healthcare costs and no prescription drug costs. Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans provide additional coverage for drugs and many other costs.
• There is no physical exam or “underwriting” required for the special enrollment period because the U of M is terminating its plan offerings.
• 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.
• HealthPartners insurance will not be offered through Via Benefits. However, HealthPartners doctors and clinics may be covered under a different insurance carrier that Via Benefits offers. You can also purchase insurance directly from HealthPartners if they offer plans in your area, or from other insurers that include HealthPartners providers in their networks.
• UCare will be exiting the Medicare market entirely. [There has been some updated information on this.  See https://www.ucare.org/health-plans/medicare-supplement  It appears they discontinued their Advantage plans, not their Medica-gap plans. ]
• See Medicare.gov for Medicare options you can shop for and compare yourself.
• Free one-on-one help is also available from Minnesota’s Health Insurance Assistance Program at [email protected].
• Or, check out the Minnesota health insurance marketplace at mnsure.org to compare plans and see if you may qualify for assistance with your medical costs.
• Watch the video recording of UMRA’s September 16 workshop with representatives from the U of M Office of Human Resources and Via Benefits. 

Whatever you do, make sure the insurance you pick includes the health care system you prefer. And complete your enrollment by December 31.

—Russell Luepker, MD, UMRA liaison to the U of M Benefits Advisory Committee