Cook County News Herald

UCare update


In 2021, UCare’s market leading, individual Medicare Advantage plans to offer an attractive, wide-ranging portfolio – including new zero dollar premium and low-cost plans statewide, new supplement plans, and additional benefits for the same or lower premiums on existing plans. Stable or lower premiums, enhanced benefits and lower copays boost value.

UCare, a community based, nonprofit health plan, currently serves more than 105,000 Medicare Advantage members across Minnesota and in western Wisconsin. UCare Medicare Plans feature an extensive provider network with 96 percent of providers in Minnesota, including large care systems: Allina Health, CentraCare, Essentia Health, M Health Fairview and others.

Every year UCare evaluates opportunities to enrich coverage and provide more value for its Medicare members. For 2021, the following changes offer significant value:

1) Reduced primary care and specialist copays, and no-cost labs on all plans.

2) Dental, vision and hearing coverage available on all plans.

Basic to comprehensive dental included, or the option to add supplemental dental riders available for all plans.

Increased coverage for extra benefits, including eyewear allowances, hearing aids and over-the-counter allowance on most plans.

3) Fixed insulin costs at $30-35/month for covered insulin and SHINGRIX vaccine moved to Tier 1 low-cost pricing

4) $0 premium Prime plan expanded to new counties; and new plans introduced including $0 premium Value Plus statewide plan, $26 Aware plan including Part D and supplement (Medigap) plans

5) Continued benefits for members with specific chronic conditions in some plans – including meal delivery after hospital discharge for members with congestive heart failure and acupuncture to manage pain for members with qualifying diagnoses.

Medicare shoppers can learn about UCare’s 2021 plans by:

1) Visiting UCare’s Medicare site

2) Attending an online meeting

3) Talking with their insurance broker

4) Calling UCare sales at 1-877-523-1518, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

5) Emailing sales@ucare.org.

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