Who is leaving, what's left in your county, and what to do before the deadline. Last checked October 5, 2026.
One insurance company is leaving the Kansas marketplace for 2027.
Altogether, 4 of Kansas's 105 counties lose at least one marketplace insurer.
Hi, I'm Sam Jaber, a broker licensed in 36 states, Kansas among them. Medica is withdrawing from the Kansas marketplace for 2027, but it only served four counties near Kansas City: Johnson, Wyandotte, Leavenworth and Miami. Its territory included Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Kansas City, Kansas, Leavenworth and Paola. If you're covered by Medica, that policy ends December 31, 2026, and you'll need to select another plan.
Elsewhere in Kansas, the marketplace insurer lineup isn't changing. All 101 other counties keep their 2026 companies. So if you're in Wichita, Topeka, Salina or Garden City, your fall review should concentrate on changes to your particular plan, not an insurer exiting the market.
Johnson, Wyandotte and Miami each go from five marketplace insurers to four. Leavenworth goes from four to three. You still have meaningful choices, so concentrate on finding a network that works for you. Remember that the Kansas City area crosses into Missouri. If your doctor or hospital is across the border, verify that specific provider's participation in the 2027 network rather than checking only nearby Kansas facilities.
This may be another unwanted switch for some Kansas residents. Aetna left the marketplace for 2026, and anyone who chose Medica as a replacement now needs to change plans again.
Kansas offered no marketplace PPOs in 2026, meaning Medica's withdrawal isn't removing one. I can still help you obtain a private nationwide PPO. If your household is healthy, pays full price and lives near Kansas City, compare the pricing. A nationwide provider network isn't restricted to one side of State Line Road. For households eligible for the premium tax credit, I'd recommend carefully choosing among marketplace plans.
Different state? Pick yours here.
These are the 4 Kansas counties where at least one marketplace insurer is leaving. For each one you can see who's leaving, how many marketplace insurers are left, and which ones.
The Kansas marketplace had no PPO plans in 2026, so none of the exits takes a PPO away; you just have fewer HMO, EPO and similar plans to pick from.
| County | Insurer leaving | Insurers left | Who's left (2026 plans) | Marketplace PPO after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson | Medica | 4 | Ambetter (Centene); Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City; Oscar; UnitedHealthcare | No |
| Leavenworth | Medica | 3 | Ambetter (Centene); Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare | No |
| Miami | Medica | 4 | Ambetter (Centene); Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Inc.; Oscar; UnitedHealthcare | No |
| Wyandotte | Medica | 4 | Ambetter (Centene); Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City; Oscar; UnitedHealthcare | No |
County data: CMS 2026 marketplace plan data source. Insurers are counted by company, and the table uses each company's 2026 service area, so a company that enters or expands for 2027 isn't counted yet. I'll update it when the 2027 plan list publishes in late October.
You've probably seen a few other names mentioned in news coverage of this. Here's what their actual situations look like.
Your coverage doesn't end immediately just because the insurer is leaving. The existing policy continues through December 31, 2026, and you're entitled to written notice beforehand. Federal requirements call for at least 90 calendar days of notice when an insurer discontinues a plan, or at least 180 calendar days when it withdraws completely from a state's individual market. Haven't received anything yet? Contact your insurer and request the notice.
Here's where people often misunderstand the process. Under federal regulation 45 CFR 155.335, the marketplace may place you with another insurer when your current company has no remaining marketplace plan. That's permission, not a guarantee. State law and the regulator's instructions govern the transfer. Without specific direction, the marketplace chooses a "similar" plan. The regulation doesn't require anyone to verify that your doctors or medications are covered.
Purchased your coverage directly from the insurer rather than through the marketplace? Its automatic re-enrollment provisions don't apply to your policy. You'll have to select replacement coverage on your own.
HealthCare.gov opens enrollment November 1. You should receive 2 notices by that point, one from your insurer and another from the marketplace. The marketplace notice identifies any replacement plan you'll be placed in if you haven't acted by December 15. HealthCare.gov also warns that automatic re-enrollment doesn't happen in every situation.
Choose your replacement no later than December 15 to begin coverage January 1. Enrolling from December 16 through January 15 gives you a February 1 effective date. If your previous policy ends December 31, that means going without coverage for January.
You might still qualify to enroll after the regular window closes. HealthCare.gov recognizes discontinued coverage as a qualifying event, and federal regulations allow 60 days before and 60 days after your old plan's termination to select replacement coverage. I wouldn't rely on that as your first choice. Make sure you're eligible before planning around those dates.
The way I'd approach this depends on your particular situation and where things stand for you. Whichever route makes sense, the next step is the same: let's talk on the phone before the deadline.
If your income puts you outside the tax credit range, you're responsible for the entire marketplace premium, with your choices limited to the insurers serving your county. That's when I'd also consider private coverage. Medically underwritten plans use nationwide PPO networks, and their pricing reflects your health. Healthy applicants may pay less than the marketplace's unsubsidized rate. There are tradeoffs: insurers ask medical questions and can reject an application or exclude a preexisting condition. We'll review those details together before you decide.
Next step: Give me a call, and I'll compare a nationwide PPO quote for your household with the marketplace coverage offered in your Kansas county.
Regardless of which insurers remain on your county's marketplace, I can help you obtain a nationwide PPO in Kansas. The Kansas marketplace had no PPO plans in 2026, so none of the exits takes a PPO away; you just have fewer HMO, EPO and similar plans to pick from.
For healthy people paying the entire marketplace premium, it's worth comparing private, medically underwritten PPO coverage. These plans offer networks extending nationwide. I carry health insurance licenses in 36 states, including Kansas.
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
Medica (confirmed). Altogether, 4 of Kansas's 105 counties lose at least one marketplace insurer.
Possibly, but there's no guarantee. Federal rules permit the marketplace to assign a comparable plan from another insurer when state law and regulators allow it. HealthCare.gov specifically cautions that automatic re-enrollment isn't always available. And if your current coverage was purchased outside the marketplace, that process won't apply. My advice is to choose your replacement yourself.
To start coverage January 1 through HealthCare.gov, enroll by December 15. You have until January 15 before open enrollment ends, but selecting a plan after December 15 means it won't take effect until February 1.
Yes. I can help you find a nationwide PPO available in Kansas. The Kansas marketplace had no PPO plans in 2026, so none of the exits takes a PPO away; you just have fewer HMO, EPO and similar plans to pick from.
Last checked October 5, 2026. I update this page when the 2027 plan list publishes in late October.
Call me with your county, the people who need coverage and the details of your notice. I'll compare the remaining Kansas marketplace plans with a nationwide PPO quote and help you decide before enrollment ends. I'm licensed in 36 states, and we can handle everything by phone.
Every state on the list, and guides for Kansas