STAT+: Cigna will exit ACA individual markets next year, adding to tumult for patients

STAT PlusBusiness Cigna will exit ACA individual markets next year, adding to tumult for patients The health insurer wants to focus on more promising parts of its business Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Tara BannowApril 30, 2026 Hospitals and Insurance Reporter Tara Bannow[email protected]Tara Bannow covers hospitals, providers, and insurers. You can reach Tara on Signal at tarabannow.70. Cigna is pulling out of the Affordable Care Act’s individual marketplaces in 2027 to focus on more promising parts of its business, another exit from what’s become a tumultuous piece of the insurance industry. Executives announced the decision on Cigna’s first quarter earnings call on Thursday, in which the company unveiled better-than-expected financial results, including $1.7 billion in profit, and a bumped-up earnings forecast for the year. Cigna currently has 369,000 ACA members across 11 states, a small portion of its 18.3 million total members.Advertisement Brian Evanko, Cigna’s chief operating officer, said on the call that Cigna did not take the decision lightly. He said it was driven by two main factors: Cigna did not see a way to meaningfully grow that business and cutting it would free Cigna to focus on priorities like its Evernorth specialty and care services division, its pharmacy benefits division, and its flagship employer plan business. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily market-moving biopharma analysis — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In Health insurance, Policy, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Tara Bannow Hospitals and Insurance Reporter Tara Bannow covers hospitals, providers, and insurers. You can reach Tara on Signal at tarabannow.70. Newsletter Unpacking the business — and secretive inner workings — of the U.S. health care industry Recommended Health April 30, 2026 Trump drops Casey Means as surgeon general nominee, opts for radiologist Nicole Saphier Biotech April 28, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA launches effort to speed up clinical trials, using AI Advertisement Biotech April 28, 2026 Fauci adviser David Morens indicted on charges of concealing emails, avoiding records requests Biotech April 24, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA to speed up review of three psychedelics as mental health treatments Biotech April 23, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump celebrates closing first round of drug pricing deals, promises more ahead Subscriber Picks