My Health Plan Is Being Discontinued for 2027. What Should I Do?

Several insurers are leaving the individual health insurance marketplace in some states at the end of 2026, including Cigna in many states and regional insurers such as CareSource, Medica, Molina, and others in specific markets. If you got a letter saying your plan is being discontinued, here's what it means and what to do next.

Your coverage continues through December 31

A discontinuation notice doesn't end your coverage right away. Your current plan stays in effect through the end of 2026 as long as you keep paying your premium. The change only affects your coverage for 2027.

What happens if you do nothing

If you're enrolled through HealthCare.gov or a state marketplace, the marketplace will generally move you into a similar plan for 2027, sometimes with a different insurer. That plan may have a different network of doctors and hospitals, a different drug list, and a different price. It's a safety net, not a recommendation.

What to do instead

1. Make a list of what matters. Your doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, and a budget for monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
2. Compare replacement plans during Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027, in most states. Choose a plan by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1 with no gap. See your state's deadline.
3. Check networks carefully. When an insurer leaves, its doctors don't automatically move to another plan. Confirm each doctor in the new plan's directory.
4. Update your income. Your tax credit for the new plan depends on your estimated 2027 income.
5. Look beyond the marketplace if you're healthy. A private plan outside the marketplace may cost less if you don't qualify for much financial help. Private plans ask health questions, so eligibility depends on your answers. If a private plan isn't the right fit, an ACA plan is always an option.

What if you miss Open Enrollment?

Losing your plan because it's discontinued generally counts as a qualifying life event, which can open a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new ACA plan. But don't count on that as your plan: choosing during Open Enrollment avoids a gap in coverage and gives you the full range of options.

Which insurers are leaving my state?

Insurer changes vary by state and sometimes by county. I've summarized 2027 changes on each state's health insurance page, and I can check your specific plan during a free review.

Get help choosing a replacement

I'll compare replacement plans side by side, check your doctors and prescriptions, and handle the enrollment so your coverage continues without a gap. My help is free, and your price is the same whether you enroll on your own or with me.