If you have health insurance through the Marketplace — or you've been thinking about it — three shifts are happening this month that could directly affect your coverage and your wallet.
Here's what Polk County residents need to know, what it actually means for you, and what to do about it.
1. The Subsidy Cliff Is Real — and It's Hitting Florida Harder Than Anywhere
The enhanced premium tax credits that kept ACA Marketplace premiums affordable expired at the end of 2025. If you've opened a bill this year and done a double-take, you're not imagining things.
Here's the scale of it: average out-of-pocket premiums for Marketplace plans have roughly doubled compared to last year. Florida has more Marketplace enrollees than any other state — over 4.7 million — which means we're feeling this harder than most.
The early data is already showing cracks. Initial sign-ups dropped, and younger enrollees are leaving the Marketplace at a high rate. Some are going uninsured. That's a risky bet, especially if you're self-employed, between jobs, or don't have coverage through a spouse.
What this means for you in Lakeland
If your premium jumped and you haven't reviewed your options, you may be paying more than you need to. Plan tiers, carrier networks, and subsidy eligibility shift every year — and this year the math changed significantly. A five-minute plan review could save you hundreds per month, depending on your income and household size.
2. Another Major Carrier Is Leaving the ACA Market
At the end of April, Cigna announced it will exit the ACA individual market after 2026. That's roughly 369,000 members across 11 states who will need to find a new plan for 2027.
This follows another large insurer pulling out of the Marketplace earlier this year. The pattern is clear: major carriers are stepping back from individual ACA plans, which means fewer options and less competition in some markets.
What this means for you in Polk County
Fewer carriers doesn't automatically mean worse plans — but it does mean your choices are narrowing, and comparing what's left becomes more important. If you're currently enrolled through a carrier that's exiting, you'll need to actively choose a new plan during the next Open Enrollment or risk being auto-enrolled into something that may not fit.
This is exactly the kind of situation where working with a local broker saves you time and money. I track carrier movements, network changes, and county-level availability so you don't have to.
3. Bronze Plans Just Got a Lot More Useful
Here's the bright spot. Starting this year, every Bronze and Catastrophic plan on the Marketplace is now eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA). That's a big deal.
Previously, only certain high-deductible plans qualified. Now, if you're enrolled in any Bronze or Catastrophic plan, you can open an HSA and contribute up to $4,400 (individual) or $8,750 (family) in pre-tax dollars. That money rolls over year to year, grows tax-free, and can be used for deductibles, copays, prescriptions, dental, vision — even some over-the-counter items.
What this means for you
If the subsidy cliff priced you out of a Silver plan, a Bronze plan paired with an HSA may be your best play. You get lower monthly premiums and a tax-advantaged way to cover your out-of-pocket costs. For healthy individuals and families who don't use a lot of services, this combination can be significantly cheaper than overpaying for a higher-tier plan you don't fully use.
If you're not sure whether you qualify for a Catastrophic plan — there's a new hardship exemption that expanded eligibility for people who don't receive Marketplace savings due to their income level.
What Should You Do Right Now?
If any of the above applies to you — premiums jumped, your carrier is leaving, or you're curious about the Bronze + HSA strategy — don't wait until Open Enrollment to figure it out.
You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period right now based on a life change (job loss, move, marriage, new baby, loss of other coverage, income change). And even if you're not in a SEP window, getting a plan review on the books means you're ready to move the second enrollment opens.
I help Lakeland and Polk County residents sort through this every day — no cost to you, no pressure, no confusing phone trees.
The May 2026 Action List
- Pull out your latest premium statement and compare it to what you paid in 2025. If the jump is significant, that's your signal to review.
- Check who your carrier is. If you're a Cigna ACA member, start mapping a 2027 plan transition now.
- If you're on a Bronze plan, ask whether opening an HSA makes sense for your tax and savings situation.
- Document any qualifying life events from the last 60 days — they may unlock a Special Enrollment Period.
- Book a free plan review before AEP and ACA Open Enrollment hit and the calendar gets crowded.
Get a Free Plan Review
Two questions. Real answers. That's it.
Start at /get-help/ Call (863) 640-3102