Medicare Open Enrollment is approaching (October 15-December 7) and you may be evaluating plan options and making changes for 2026.

In case it is helpful in your decision making, we want to share which health plans will include Juniper as a benefit in 2026. Below is a list showing which classes will be covered by health plans beginning January 1, 2026.

Covers all Juniper Classes

• Blue Cross & Blue Shield Minnesota Senior Health Options – MSHO (does not cover Powerful Tools for Caregivers)
• HealthPartners Minnesota Senior Health Options – MSHO
• Itasca Medical Care Minnesota Senior Health Options – MSHO (Does not cover Diabetes Prevention Program)

Covers Diabetes Prevention Program

Blue Cross & Blue Shield

• Medical Assistance
• Minnesota Care
• Minnesota Senior Care Plus – MSC+
• Medicare Advantage
• Commercial (some employer group plans may elect not to include DPP as a benefit for their employees)

HealthPartners

• Medical Assistance
• Minnesota Care
• Minnesota Senior Care Plus – MSC+
• Minnesota Special Needs Basic Care – SNBC
• Medicare Advantage

UCare

• Medical Assistance
• Minnesota Care
• Minnesota Senior Care Plus – MSC+
• Minnesota Special Needs Basic Care – SNBC

PrimeWest Health

• Medical Assistance
• Minnesota Care
• Minnesota Senior Care Plus – MSC+
• Minnesota Special Needs Basic Care – SNBC
• Minnesota Senior Health Options – MSHO

Notably, with UCare exiting as a health plan for Medicare Advantage, we will no longer be able to bill for UCare Medicare Advantage plans in 2026. UCare had been including Diabetes Prevention Program as a covered benefit through Juniper for Medicare Advantage members. 

We are grateful for the partnerships that we have with these health plans as they help us to sustain our classes.  

Having Juniper as a benefit guarantees that our classes are free for you. As always, if you do not have Juniper as a health plan benefit you are still welcome to participate in classes, but may be asked to pay a fee. Fees vary depending on the class type and instructor. 

We are committed to providing quality classes and ensuring sustainability by continuing to work with health care. Thank you for trusting us with your health!