Medica to acquire UCare’s 2026 Medicaid and individual plans; ~300,000 members transition in MN/WI
Medica, the Minnetonka-based insurer, will acquire all of UCare’s 2026 Medicaid and individual/family plans, absorbing roughly 300,000 members in Minnesota and western Wisconsin — the bulk of UCare’s business — in a transaction expected to close in Q1 2026 pending regulatory approvals, with financial terms undisclosed. Both CEOs say services will continue without interruption, MNsure says exchange coverage and costs won’t change for 2026 and is coordinating the transition, and Senate Commerce Chair Sen. Matt Klein will monitor impacts on consumer choice and access; UCare had earlier ended its Medicare Advantage contracts as its board explored options.
📌 Key Facts
- Medica, a Minnetonka-based insurer, will acquire UCare’s 2026 Medicaid and individual/family plans and absorb roughly 300,000 UCare members in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
- The transfer represents the bulk of UCare’s business; UCare currently covers about 300,000 members while Medica covers about 1.4 million members across nine states.
- The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2026 pending regulatory approvals; financial terms were not disclosed.
- Both CEOs (Lisa Erickson and Hilary Marden-Resnik) say services will continue without interruption during the transition.
- MNsure says UCare exchange plan coverage and costs will not change for plan year 2026 and that it is coordinating a smooth transition for members.
- Sen. Matt Klein (DFL–Mendota Heights), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, said he will monitor the deal for impacts on consumer choice and access.
- Context: UCare previously terminated its Medicare Advantage contracts as its board explored acquisition and wind-down options.
📰 Sources (3)
Medica to acquire 300,000 UCare health insurance accounts in Minnesota, Wisconsin
New information:
- Medica announced it will acquire all of UCare’s 2026 Medicaid and individual/family plans.
- UCare currently covers about 300,000 members in Minnesota and western Wisconsin; Medica covers 1.4 million across nine states.
- Transaction expected to close in Q1 2026 pending regulatory approvals; financial terms not disclosed.
- Both CEOs (Lisa Erickson, Hilary Marden-Resnik) say services will continue without interruption.
- MNsure says UCare exchange plan coverage and costs will not change for plan year 2026 and it is coordinating a smooth transition.
- Sen. Matt Klein (DFL–Mendota Heights), Senate Commerce Chair, will monitor for impacts on consumer choice and access.
- Context: UCare previously terminated its Medicare Advantage contracts as its board explored acquisition options.
Medica acquires 300K insurance plans as UCare seeks to wind down business
New information:
- Medica will absorb roughly 300,000 UCare members.
- The transfer represents the bulk of UCare’s business.
- Confirms Minnetonka-based Medica as the acquiring insurer.