Tens of thousands of Minnesota seniors are at risk of losing access to their doctors and trusted care—unless Fairview Health Services and UnitedHealthcare resolve their contract dispute immediately.

This breakdown affects over 33,000 patients with Medicare Advantage plans from UnitedHealthcare, who could be blocked from scheduling appointments at M Health Fairview clinics and hospitals starting January 1, 2026. These are not just numbers—they are our parents, our grandparents, our neighbors, and community members.

Fairview says it’s struggling with high denial rates and administrative red tape from UnitedHealthcare, while the insurer claims it’s doing everything by the book. But to patients, these corporate finger-pointing matches don’t matter. What matters is being able to see your doctor. What matters is continuity of care. What matters is not being forced to switch providers in the middle of cancer treatment, physical therapy, or chronic disease management.

We cannot allow seniors—who have paid into Medicare their entire lives—to be caught in the crossfire of a contract dispute between a nonprofit hospital system and a for-profit insurance giant. If no agreement is reached, patients will face uncertainty, potential delays in care, and emotional and financial stress they should never have to bear.

With Medicare open enrollment already underway, patients deserve clarity—not chaos.

We call on Fairview Health Services and UnitedHealthcare to return to the negotiating table and finalize a fair contract that protects seniors’ access to care. This isn’t just about business—it’s about people’s lives.

Put patients over profits. Resolve this now.