UCare and the University of Minnesota have announced a new collaboration aimed at serving underserved Minnesotans. The collaboration includes a funding commitment from UCare that will support various University of Minnesota Medical School community and health wellness initiatives over the next three years. UCare and the University see this as an opportunity to redesign their strategic relationship to align with the University’s mission to serve the healthcare needs of all Minnesotans. UCare will enhance its board with more consumer representation, diversity, and business expertise to better serve its members. Additionally, UCare will make four $25-million payments to the University to invest in reducing disparities in underserved communities.
The UCare investments will address priorities such as health equity and access, rural health and outreach, mental health and aging, and programs in family medicine. UCare’s support will improve care for Minnesota’s aging population, combat the mental health crisis, and foster medical innovation. The agreement builds on the organizations’ shared history of removing obstacles to care and reinforces their commitment to primary care and training the next generation of healthcare professionals.
UCare became an independent health plan in 1999 and provides Medicaid, Medicare, and Individual & Family plans to over 600,000 members. UCare was founded as a Department of Family Medicine and Community Health demonstration project in 1984. This collaboration signifies a strategic opportunity for the two organizations to reshape their relationship and prioritize the well-being of Minnesotans.
The University of Minnesota System, with campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities, is dedicated to excellence in education, research, and outreach. UCare is an independent, nonprofit health plan that provides healthcare and administrative services to over 600,000 members in Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin. UCare works with healthcare providers, counties, and community organizations to deliver Medicaid, Medicare, and Individual & Family health plans and address healthcare disparities and access issues. UCare has received Top Workplaces honors from the Star Tribune for 14 consecutive years.