If you're enrolled in a Cigna health insurance plan through the ACA marketplace, you need to know this: Cigna announced on April 30 that it will exit the individual exchange market at the end of 2026. That means your current plan will not exist in 2027.
This affects approximately 369,000 people across 11 states — and Florida is one of them.
What Happened
Cigna is the latest in a wave of major carriers pulling out of the ACA individual market. Aetna left at the end of 2025, affecting roughly a million enrollees nationwide. UnitedHealthcare has scaled back its ACA footprint by about a third. Centene — the largest marketplace carrier in the country — saw its enrollment drop from 5.6 million to 3.6 million in just one year.
The common thread is the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025. Without those boosted subsidies, premiums effectively doubled for many enrollees, enrollment dropped, and the remaining risk pool shifted in ways that made the math harder for carriers.
What This Means If You're in Polk County
If you currently have a Cigna marketplace plan here in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, or anywhere in Polk County, you will need to select a new carrier during the 2027 Open Enrollment Period this fall.
The good news
You are not losing your right to coverage. Other carriers are still competing for business in the Florida marketplace, and some are actively expanding to absorb the members that exiting carriers leave behind.
The key is getting ahead of it now rather than scrambling in November.
Three Things to Do Right Now
1. Don't wait for the cancellation letter.
If you know you're on Cigna, start thinking about your options now. The earlier you understand what's available, the smoother the transition.
2. Check whether you qualify for premium tax credits.
Many people assume they don't qualify for subsidies — especially after the enhanced credits expired. But standard premium tax credits are still available based on your income and household size. You may be leaving money on the table.
3. Talk to a local broker who tracks this daily.
The marketplace is shifting fast. Carriers are entering, exiting, and adjusting networks constantly. A broker who works in Polk County every day knows which plans still have your doctors, which carriers are stable, and where the value is.
The Bigger Picture
This isn't just about Cigna. The ACA marketplace is going through a reset. Fewer carriers means fewer options — but it also means the carriers that are staying are competing harder for your business. That can actually work in your favor if you have the right guidance.
What the numbers actually look like
National enrollment dropped by about 800,000 people this year compared to last year. Average out-of-pocket premium costs roughly doubled. But that doesn't mean affordable coverage disappeared — it means you have to look harder for it, and the margin for error on plan selection is thinner.
Medicare Clients: GLP-1 Access Coming This Summer
On a separate note for Medicare enrollees — CMS is launching the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge starting July 1, 2026. Eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries may be able to access GLP-1 medications (like those used for weight management) for $50 per month through the end of 2027.
This depends on whether your Part D plan participates in the voluntary BALANCE model, so it's worth checking with your plan or your broker.
The Cigna Exit Action List
- Confirm you're on Cigna. Check your insurance card or member portal so you know whether this affects you directly.
- Pull your current plan summary. Doctors, prescriptions, and deductible — you'll want to compare apples to apples when picking a new carrier.
- Re-check subsidy eligibility. Standard premium tax credits are still in play. Many people who think they don't qualify actually do.
- Map your network needs. Lakeland Regional, Watson Clinic, Orlando Health — whichever providers you use, the new plan needs to keep them.
- Book a plan review before fall. AEP and ACA Open Enrollment hit at the same time. The earlier you start, the cleaner the transition.
Get Help
If you're affected by Cigna's exit, or if you're just unsure whether your current plan is still the best fit, I can help you sort it out. No pressure, no sales pitch — just a straight look at what's available in Polk County.
Start at /get-help/ Call (863) 640-3102