Medicare open enrollment starts amid MA cuts
Medicare open enrollment runs Oct. 15–Dec. 7, allowing Twin Cities Medicare members—especially those losing Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 due to insurer pullbacks—to join, drop, or switch plans. Enrollees in Medicare Advantage also have an additional Jan. 1–March 31 window to change MA plans, with coverage effective the month after enrollment; assistance is available via 1-800-MEDICARE and Minnesota Aging Pathways (800-333-2433).
📌 Key Facts
- Open enrollment: Oct. 15–Dec. 7, 2025; coverage starts Jan. 1 for enrollments by Dec. 7
- Medicare Advantage OEP: Jan. 1–March 31, 2026 for current MA enrollees; coverage starts the following month
- Major changes: UCare exiting MA; UnitedHealthcare shrinking MN footprint from 72 to 27 counties; HealthPartners and Aetna also changing offerings, impacting ~150,000 people