UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plan Update

Essentia Health has reached an agreement with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) that will allow patients covered by the UHC Medicare Advantage plan to continue receiving care at Essentia in 2025. 

What Does This Mean? 

If you are insured by UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plan, you can continue to seek care at Essentia Health in 2025.

What is the Reason for This Change?

Essentia and UHC have been working on an agreement that addresses our concerns. This allows patients who are insured by UHC’s Medicare Advantage plan to continue seeking care at Essentia in 2025. 

We believe that the plans put in place address our concerns regarding excessive prior authorizations and denials and should improve timely and reliable access to care. 

We acknowledge that the uncertainty of this situation likely has been difficult for you. We feel honored to care for you and will continue to advocate for you, making sure that all of the organizations we partner with have your best interest in mind.

Medicare Open Enrollment Continues

If you are interested in exploring alternative Medicare plans, the best time to switch plans is during the Medicare Open Enrollment period, which continues until Dec. 7, 2024.

Medicare Plans That Cover Care at Essentia Health include: 

• Medica
• Essentia Care
• UCare
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
• HealthPartners
• Security Health
• UnitedHealthcare 
• Traditional Medicare

We thank you for choosing Essentia for your care.