ACA Enrolment Faces Costly Shift

Health insurance shoppers in Cuyahoga County are facing a thinner selection of plans and higher bills as the 2027 open enrollment period begins. The Affordable Care Act marketplace is losing carriers and raising prices, forcing local residents to weigh fewer options against steeper monthly costs.

The changes follow the expiration of pandemic-era subsidies last year. That policy shift caused premiums to rise sharply, leading many residents to drop their coverage. Those who stayed often switched to cheaper plans with less comprehensive care, but even those plans cost more than before. The resulting drop in profitable business prompted 11 insurance companies to announce their exit from the ACA marketplace.

Among the departing carriers is Cigna. A company spokesperson cited comments made by CEO Brian Evanko in April, in which he stated that leaving the marketplace aligns with goals to position the company’s “core healthcare businesses for sustainable growth.” Other remaining insurers are increasing prices by up to 15%, marking the second consecutive year of double-digit hikes.

Open enrollment started this weekend, and early reports indicate a difficult start for users. The government website has experienced technical delays, with some applicants waiting up to 30 minutes to receive security codes. Once logged in, many users find significantly fewer plan options than in previous years.

Cynthia Cox, director of the program on the ACA at the Kaiser Family Foundation, noted that more insurance companies are leaving the marketplace than entering it. Miranda Yaver, an assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh, warned that these changes will create discontinuities in care. She explained that if a patient’s doctor does not accept the remaining limited network, the disruption can be severe, particularly for individuals with chronic illnesses.

For one local resident, the impact is already visible in their personal budget. Currently paying about $185 per month for a bronze-level plan, they face a new premium of $322 for the same coverage level next year. The resident stated they will likely have to choose between going uninsured and hoping to find a new job with employer-provided benefits.

The enrollment period remains open through next month. Residents must finalize their selections before the deadline to ensure continuous coverage starting January 1. The final number of available plans and specific premium rates will vary by zip code within Cuyahoga County.