North Carolina · 2027 coverage Cigna is leaving North Carolina's individual market for 2027.
Cigna Healthcare of North Carolina will not offer individual health plans, on or off the marketplace, for the 2027 plan year. Its discontinuation notice to the North Carolina Department of Insurance lists about 16,000 North Carolina members affected [1]. If you have a Cigna individual plan, you'll need new coverage for 2027. Marketplace open enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, and December 15 is the deadline for coverage starting January 1 [2].
What to do next
- Find your notice. Cigna was required to mail affected members a discontinuation notice by July 1, 2026 [1]. Keep it with your records.
- Compare your options early. Look at individual plans from other insurers on the Marketplace, and check whether you qualify for premium tax credits. Our Quick Rate Estimator shows options in under 60 seconds.
- Decide by December 15. Choosing a plan by December 15 means your new coverage starts January 1, with no gap [2].
- Consider alternatives alongside insurance. Some households pair a Marketplace plan or a health sharing program with Direct Primary Care. Health sharing and Direct Primary Care are not insurance, so we walk through the trade-offs with you before you decide.
If your coverage came through work, this change doesn't affect you. It applies to individual plans only.
Questions about the Cigna exit
When do I need to choose a new plan?
Marketplace open enrollment for 2027 runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Choose a plan by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
What are my options if my Cigna individual plan is ending?
You can choose an individual plan from another insurer on or off the Marketplace. Some households also pair insurance with a health sharing program or Direct Primary Care. Health sharing and Direct Primary Care are not insurance, so an advisor can help you weigh the trade-offs.
Does this affect coverage I get through my job?
No. The change applies to Cigna’s individual plans in North Carolina, not to coverage you get through an employer.
Is Journey Health Advisors part of Cigna?
No. Journey Health Advisors is an independent health benefits advisory firm. We are not an insurance company or agency, and we are not tied to any single carrier or program.
REFERENCES
[1] Cigna Healthcare of North Carolina. Notice of discontinuation of individual medical coverage, letter to the North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance. Reprinted in Gaba, C. "2027 Rate Changes – North Carolina: +14.9% indy market; +19.8% sm. group market." ACA Signups, August 10, 2026. https://acasignups.net/rate_changes/2027/nc
[2] HealthCare.gov. "Dates and Deadlines for 2027 Health Insurance." https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/