Important Information Regarding Your City of Saint Paul 2027 Retiree Health Insurance

As we prepare for the upcoming 2027 plan year, we want to share key updates regarding your post-65 Retiree Health Insurance (RHI).

Following a comprehensive bidding process earlier this year, the City of Saint Paul will continue partnering with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) for our Medicare Advantage (Part C Health with Part D Pharmacy) plan in 2027.

1. Holding Premiums Flat at $229 per Month per Person

Through targeted adjustments to plan design cost-sharing (such as modest changes to deductibles, copays, or coinsurance at the point of care), the City and UHC have successfully held the total monthly premium flat at a monthly premium of $229.00 for 2027. Information regarding coverage and benefits for 2027 will be published at retiree.uhc.com/saintpaul

2. Provider Network Negotiations (M Health Fairview & HealthPartners)

We recognize the disruption and stress surrounding ongoing contract negotiations between UHC, M Health Fairview, and HealthPartners.

  • Where things stand: UHC is in active negotiations with both M Health Fairview and HealthPartners to maintain their in-network status for 2027.  We are closely monitoring these discussions as our annual Open Enrollment approaches.

3. Proposed Safety Valve: Temporary One-Year Opt-Out for 2027

Under standard City policy and Minnesota law, dropping City retiree coverage is permanent; once you leave, you forfeit all future enrollment rights and City subsidies.

However, we believe you should not have to lose access to your long-standing healthcare providers. Therefore, if UHC does not reach signed agreements with either network prior to our Open Enrollment mailing, the City will provide a special, one-time exception to temporarily opt out for 2027. This temporary opt out form will be included in your BRI Open Enrollment Packet.

Key Guidelines for the One-Year Opt-Out:

  • Individual Marketplace Choice: If offered, you may elect to opt out of the City group plan for Plan Year 2027 (January 1 - December 31, 2027) so you can purchase an individual Medicare plan that includes your doctors. As the City subsidy is tied to insurance that we offer, the subsidy is not available should you choose this option. This choice will only be offered if the network providers are still in negotiations at the time of our open enrollment mailing. Check your open enrollment packet that will come in the mail at the beginning of November. 
  • Impact on Spousal Coverage: The retiree is the designated primary plan subscriber. Therefore, if the retiree elects to opt out of coverage, spousal coverage is also opt out. However, a retiree may elect to continue single coverage on the City plan while opting out their spouse for the 2027 plan year. 
  • Return to City plan in 2028: If this option is available, you/spouse must re-enroll in the City’s group plan for Plan Year 2028. The subsidy will resume upon your return on January 1, 2028. If don’t return to the plan for 2028, you are terminated from the City of Saint Paul health insurance program and subsidy.

Important Dates & What to Expect Next

No immediate action is required today. Contract talks remain active, and we are working diligently on your behalf. Please keep these upcoming dates and mailings in mind:

UHC Informational Meetings: Watch your mailbox toward the beginning of November for a postcard mailer directly from UnitedHealthcare. This postcard will outline meeting dates and informational sessions where you can learn more about 2027 plan specifics and network status. Open enrollment meeting dates will be held the week of November 16th. 

Proposed meeting dates are:

  • Monday, November 16th: Virtual Webex Open Enrollment Meeting, 10 a.m. to noon

  • Wednesday, November 18th: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Maplewood YMCA Community Center

  • Thursday, November 19th: 10 a.m. to noon, DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul East

Note that these proposed meeting dates and times will be finalized in your open enrollment information.

BRI Open Enrollment Packet: You will receive your official 2027 Retiree Open Enrollment packet from BRI in the mail during the first week of November. This packet will include the latest network negotiation updates, complete plan schedules, and the temporary opt-out form (if agreements have not been reached).

Retiree Open Enrollment Window: The City’s 2027 Retiree Open Enrollment period starts November 9th.  

Important: Federal Medicare Open Enrollment runs through December 7th.

If you prefer to remain on City’s UHC plan should an agreement, be reached with the networks, we encourage you to monitor the news for negotiation updates. The City will accept your opt-out election through December 6, 2026. Otherwise, your current elections will roll over. 

To ensure timely receipt ahead of the federal cut-off, we strongly recommend submitting your form electronically by email rather than postal mail. 

If you have any questions, please call 651-266-6500 and select #3 for retiree benefits, or call BRI at 320-316-0521.