Last night, while walking around the river and on my way back, I opened my mailbox and found an envelope from the insurance company. Instead of the UCare logo, it had the name Medica printed on it. I stood there for a while, chewing on some roasted peanuts I had in my pocket, reading it.

This topic has been coming up frequently among the Korean seniors in my community lately. They are asking how their insurance will be affected by the news that UCare is going away. So today, I will carefully summarize only the confirmed facts.

First, let's look at the big picture. UCare announced that it will transfer its remaining health insurance business to Medica and wind down operations by November 2025.

UCare is a nonprofit insurance company that started in 1984 as a pilot program by doctors at the University of Minnesota for low-income patients. It became independent in 1999 and had over 300,000 subscribers at the time of the announcement, spanning Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

It's honestly bittersweet to see a local insurance company that has been around for over forty years closing its doors. Many Korean families have relied on this insurance to take their children to the doctor.

However, it would be a mistake to assume that all subscribers will change in 2027 just because of the title. The schedule varies by plan type.

First, there is the Medical Assistance plan, which corresponds to Medicaid. According to UCare's guidance, this plan has already transitioned to Medica as of October 1, 2026.

The name has also changed to Medica One Health Plan. Therefore, subscribers in this category are already part of Medica and do not need to wait for 2027.

Second, there is the Individual & Family plan, which is enrolled through MNsure. The key changes for 2027 will primarily affect this group.

UCare has stated that the coverage for this plan will remain in effect until December 31, 2026. Starting in 2027, there will no longer be individual plans under the UCare name.

Instead, subscribers will receive information about similar Medica plans by mail. They will also have the option to choose other plans during the open enrollment period.

One important point to clarify is whether subscribers will automatically transition to a Medica plan and whether their premiums and hospital networks will remain the same; this is not clearly stated in UCare's official guidance.

While it was mentioned that benefits, premiums, and networks would remain unchanged in 2026, that information pertains to this year. Each individual must verify the conditions for next year based on the information they receive.

Third, regarding Medicare. UCare's Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, MSHO, and Connect + Medicare plans ended on December 31, 2025.

At that time, 158,000 people were affected by the termination of the Medicare Advantage plan, according to reports. These individuals likely transitioned to other plans last year.

Therefore, Medicare subscribers will not have any specific actions to take this fall due to UCare. However, the Medicare open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, so it would be wise to check if your current plan will still be suitable for next year.

So, what should individual and family plan subscribers do now? In my opinion, three steps are sufficient.

First, do not discard the notice from Medica and read it thoroughly. It will indicate which plan you will be connected to, as well as your monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs.

Next, check whether your primary care physician and hospital are included in the new plan network. When the insurance company name changes, the network may also change.

It is also essential to verify your regular medications. There may be instances where medications are excluded from the list or where your out-of-pocket costs change, so it's advisable to consult with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you need alternative medications.

Finally, keep track of the MNsure open enrollment schedule. Enrollment for the 2027 plans is indicated to start on November 1, but there have been reports that the deadline may change due to federal regulatory litigation.

Therefore, I recommend checking the deadline directly at mnsure.org. Delaying enrollment could push back the start date of your new insurance, so it's best not to procrastinate.

When your new insurance card arrives, make sure to present it when visiting hospitals or pharmacies. Presenting the old UCare card could lead to billing issues.

This situation has led me to reflect a lot. The reduction of one insurance company ultimately means fewer choices for consumers.

I believe that a market with multiple competing companies is better than having the government take on everything. From that perspective, the collapse of a nonprofit insurance company is not good news.

However, it is fortunate that subscribers will not suddenly be left without insurance. I think it was a good decision for the state government and the insurance company to have a plan in place for a smooth transition.

For those who find English notices daunting, you can seek assistance from family members or MNsure-certified navigators. Counseling is available for free.

The river breeze has become quite chilly. Just like preparing winter clothes before the cold wind blows, it's wise to get your insurance in order ahead of time for peace of mind. If I were you, I would unfold the notice within this week.