What has Fairview decided about UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage?
Fairview Health Services says it will no longer contract with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans, and that from January 1, 2027 it will no longer schedule patients who have them. Fairview's reasons, in its own words, are ongoing issues such as frequent coverage changes, denials and payment issues.
Fairview says its agreement for UnitedHealthcare commercial plans is not affected, so people with employer or other commercial UnitedHealthcare coverage keep in network access in 2027. It also warns that UnitedHealthcare may send information saying Fairview stays in network for Medicare Advantage after that date, and says that information is incorrect.
The decision covers Fairview providers and facilities in the Twin Cities metro area, Fairview Range in Hibbing and Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital in Grand Rapids. Fairview says that if your doctors and their clinics and hospitals are not in your plan's network, you would not be able to schedule appointments on or after January 1, 2027, even if you have been seen there before.
Which Medicare plans does Fairview list for 2027?
| Medicare coverage | What Fairview says |
|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Medicare Advantage | In network |
| HealthPartners Medicare Advantage | In network |
| Medica Medicare Advantage | In network |
| UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage | Will not schedule patients from January 1, 2027 |
| Original Medicare, Medicare Cost Plans, Medicare supplement plans and employer Medicare plans | Also accepted |
A company on the list can sell several plans. Confirm that your exact plan includes Fairview and the clinic and hospital you use.
What is the Fairview and UnitedHealthcare lawsuit about?
Fairview sued UnitedHealthcare on October 1, 2026 in Minnesota federal court. The complaint, as reported by Becker's Payer Issues on October 7, alleges false advertising: that Fairview decided in June not to renew its UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage contract for 2027, and that UnitedHealthcare still presents Fairview as in network.
- Fairview's side: it says in its complaint that it is not in negotiations and does not expect to reopen them. Fairview asked the court to require accurate information before enrollment began on October 15, and estimates it has served about 33,000 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage patients each year.
- UnitedHealthcare's side, to Becker's: "We continue to engage in good faith with Fairview Health in an effort to reach an agreement that is affordable, while maintaining long term network access to the health system." It added that if there is no agreement it will tell members that Fairview could go out of network, as CMS guidelines require.
We did not find a court ruling or an announced agreement as of October 26, 2026. Because the two sides describe the situation differently, do not rely on a directory alone. Ask Fairview whether it will schedule you in 2027 under your exact plan.
What can I do if I have UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage and use Fairview?
Fairview suggests reviewing your options and being ready to change coverage during Medicare's annual enrollment period, October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes made then take effect January 1, 2027.
- Pick a different Medicare Advantage plan that Fairview lists, and then confirm your own doctors and clinics are in that plan's 2027 directory.
- Consider Original Medicare with a Medigap plan and a Part D drug plan, which Fairview says it also accepts.
- If you are in active care at the end of 2026, Fairview says to ask your care team about continuity of care.
- If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, you can make one change from January 1 to March 31, 2027.
Check the Medigap rules before you leave Medicare Advantage. After your first six months on Medicare Part B, an insurer can usually ask health questions and may charge more or turn you down, unless you have a guaranteed right to buy. Minnesota Aging Pathways, the state's free help line, is 1-800-333-2433.
What is changing in the Minnesota marketplace for 2027?
Minnesota runs its own marketplace, MNsure, so the CMS county file used in our other guides does not include it. Healthinsurance.org reports these changes for 2027.
- UCare was acquired by Medica in early 2026, and only Medica branded plans will be sold for 2027. UCare plans will no longer be available.
- Aspirus Health Plan is new on MNsure for 2027.
- Six insurers offer exchange plans in Minnesota for 2027, with availability that varies by area.
If your plan ends, compare plans during open enrollment and check each doctor by name. Open enrollment for most state marketplaces runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Census estimates put Minneapolis at 430,324 residents, with 11.4% age 65 or older and 20.1% of residents speaking a language other than English at home. Among people under 65, 6.3% in Minneapolis and 5.8% in Hennepin County have no health insurance.
How can a Minneapolis agent help?
An agent can check Fairview and your other doctors in each 2027 Medicare or marketplace plan and tell you which dates apply to you. Have your insurance card, your doctors' names and your prescriptions ready.
Health Insurance Solutions agents are licensed in 22 states and help by phone and online. Marketplace plans cost the same with or without an agent, so the comparison does not add to your premium.
Insurers and hospitals mentioned
Explore the organizations or brands discussed in this article. A mention does not mean every plan or location is covered.
- Hospital · MinnesotaGrand Itasca Clinic And Hospital
- Hospital · MinnesotaGrand Itasca Clinic And Hospital
- Insurer · MinnesotaAspirus
- Insurer · MinnesotaHealthPartners
- Insurer · MinnesotaMedica
- Insurer · MinnesotaUCare
- Medicare Advantage · MinnesotaHealthPartners
- Medicare Advantage · MinnesotaMedica
- Medicare Advantage · MinnesotaUnitedHealthcare
- Small-group insurer · MinnesotaUnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
- Small-group insurer · MinnesotaUnitedHealthcare of Illinois Inc
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