Florida residents navigating the health insurance landscape are bracing for more turbulence as major carriers continue to exit the state’s Obamacare marketplace. Following Aetna’s departure at the start of 2026, Cigna has announced it will also pull out of the Florida Affordable Care Act (ACA) market by the end of 2027. For residents across the Treasure Coast and the broader Sunshine State, these exits combined with soaring premiums present a challenging healthcare horizon.
As pandemic-era subsidies expire and major insurers like Aetna and Cigna exit the marketplace, Floridians are facing dramatically higher health insurance premiums, prompting many to downgrade their coverage or leave the ACA market entirely.
Florida currently accounts for a higher percentage of ACA enrollees than any other state. This is largely driven by a massive tourism-based economy and a significant population of early retirees who are not yet eligible for Medicare. However, the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies at the end of 2025 has triggered severe price hikes. With the loss of these subsidies, many middle-class families have seen their monthly premiums skyrocket, sometimes by more than 70 percent, forcing difficult financial decisions.
Industry experts warn that these carrier exits may signal a death spiral within the marketplace. As premiums increase, healthier individuals often choose to opt out of coverage to save money. This leaves an insurance risk pool heavily skewed toward individuals who frequently use medical services, which in turn diminishes insurer profitability and drives up costs even further. According to reports, Cigna saw a 17 percent drop in its ACA enrollees in the first quarter of the year compared to the previous year.
The financial strain is already having tangible effects on local healthcare systems. The Florida Hospital Association recently noted a 23 percent increase in the uninsured rate for inpatient services, directly attributing the spike to patients dropping their health coverage due to rising costs. Consequently, many Floridians who do remain in the marketplace are migrating toward lower-tier coverage. Sign-ups for the ACA Bronze Plan—which features the lowest monthly premiums but the highest out-of-pocket deductibles—have surged by nearly 27 percent in neighboring areas.
Despite the concerning departure of Aetna and Cigna, Florida still maintains one of the most robust ACA marketplaces in the country. Depending on the specific zip code, residents can still access a wide array of plans. As open enrollment approaches on November 1, insurance agents and online calculators at HealthCare.gov remain available free of charge to help consumers navigate their options based on family size, location, and income.
For those currently enrolled in a Cigna plan, coverage will remain active through the end of the current plan year, but proactive shopping during the next open enrollment period is highly recommended to avoid being auto-enrolled into a potentially mismatched plan. Fortunately, several major carriers continue to offer subsidized plans across the majority of Florida counties:
- Florida Blue: Continues to provide coverage across all 67 Florida counties.
- Health Options Inc: Offers coverage in 64 counties statewide.
- Centene: Maintains a strong presence, covering 63 counties.
- UnitedHealthcare of Florida and Oscar Health: Both carriers currently provide options in 32 counties.
While the health insurance landscape is undeniably shifting, staying informed and reviewing your options early will be critical for Treasure Coast residents looking to secure comprehensive and affordable medical coverage in the coming years.
