Minneapolis-based UCare asked a Ramsey County judge Friday to install the HMO as an option next year in parts of the state where county boards have indicated a preference for the health plan.
In July, Gov. Mark Dayton announced the results of competitive bidding that would drop UCare for most with coverage through the Medicaid and MinnesotaCare public health insurance programs.
On Friday, UCare attorney Larry Espel argued that in dropping UCare, the state Department of Human Services (DHS) was denying enrollees a free choice of insurance options. Espel also said the state didn't allow for enough input from counties in making the decision.
But Scott Ikeda, the assistant attorney general representing the department, countered that state's bidding process was fair and properly executed.
The change will affect 369,000 enrollees in UCare, prompting Espel to predict: "There's going to be confusion. There's going to be disruption and chaos."
But Ikeda characterized some of UCare's challenges as "after-the-fact complaining."
"It sounds like what UCare wants is to roll the clock back before the Legislature required competitive bidding," he said.
Ramsey County District Judge Robert Awsumb said he will issue a ruling by Sept. 4, which is when DHS expects to begin an open enrollment process that will inform enrollees of plan options for next year.