CVS Plans To Exit Obamacare In 2026, Affecting 1 Million Aetna Members

CVS Health plans to exit the individual health insurance business also known as Obamacare next year, leaving about 1 million Aetna members in 17 states looking for new coverage in 2026.

The decision, disclosed Thursday, a day when CVS reported nearly $1.8 billion in net income amid a financial turnaround, comes as a relatively new management team works to get rising healthcare costs in its Aetna brand health insurance plans under control.

“The company decided to exit the individual exchange business where Aetna independently operates ACA plans for 2026,” CVS said in a statement Thursday accompanying its first quarter earnings report regarding coverage that its Aetna health insurance unit sells under the Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare.

“This decision is consistent with others taken this year to focus the company’s portfolio,” CVS said. “The company is best able to serve members through its other health benefit solutions, which offer access to quality care, affordable health benefits and exceptional service. The company will continue delivering superior service and support to its individual exchange members through 2025 and residual activities in 2026.”

CVS’ move to exit the individual insurance market comes as the Donald Trump White House and Republicans in Congress ponder cuts to health insurance benefits to pay for tax cuts for wealthy Americans. Trump has never been a fan of Obamacare, which he tried and failed several times to repeal in his first term, and his administration has already made moves to cut spending on such health benefits, already slashing what the federal government spends on navigators that help people sign up for Obamacare coverage.


https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2025/05/01/cvs-plans-to-exit-obamacare-in-2026-impacting-1-million-aetna-members/