MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- UCare Minnesota today announced it will not raise health plan premiums for the 27,000 seniors enrolled in its Medicare plans in 2005. This announcement follows on the heels of a March 2004 reduction in UCare’s Medicare premiums -- for most members -- by more than $15 per month.
“Affordability is still the key concern for our Medicare members,” said UCare President and CEO Nancy Feldman. “Every dollar counts for these seniors, and that’s why we are committed to remaining one of the most competitively priced Medicare options in Minnesota.”
UCare offers two UCare for Seniors plan options: the UCare for Seniors Classic Plan and the UCare for Seniors Value Plan. Monthly premiums for Classic Plan members will remain at $94. Value Plan members will actually see their monthly premiums drop slightly from $59.75 to $59. In addition, UCare eliminated the Value Plan’s $10 co-payment for doctor office visits.
“This decision is no surprise,” said UCare for Seniors member John Kalbrener. “UCare’s prices are based on a sensitive understanding of the importance of seniors staying healthy for an affordable price. UCare’s first priority is ‘doing the right thing’ for members. Little wonder that so many of us have stayed with UCare for so long.”
With 27,000 members, UCare for Seniors is the largest Medicare Advantage plan in the state. UCare for Seniors is available to Medicare-eligible individuals and those eligible individuals enrolled in employer-sponsored group plans in the 11-county Twin Cities area. Eligible individuals can enroll at any time during the year.
About UCare Minnesota
UCare Minnesota is an independent, nonprofit health maintenance organization (HMO) providing health care and administrative services to 130,000 members. UCare provides health insurance programs for seniors: UCare for Seniors, a Medicare Advantage product for Medicare beneficiaries in the metropolitan area and adjacent counties; and UCare SeniorSelect, a Medicare Select product. In addition, UCare offers Minnesota Senior Health Options, a program for seniors who have Medical Assistance, but may or may not be eligible for Medicare. UCare also offers income-based health programs to people enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Programs, including Prepaid Medical Assistance, Prepaid General Assistance Medical Care, and MinnesotaCare, in 77 Minnesota counties.
UCare Minnesota
CONTACT: Dan Ness of UCare Minnesota, +1-612-676-3560, dness@ucare.org
Web site: http://www.ucare.org/