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 Kentucky marketplace for 2027.
Altogether, 6 of Kentucky's 120 counties lose at least one marketplace insurer. In one of them, only one marketplace insurer is left.
Hi, I'm Sam Jaber, a licensed insurance broker in 36 states, Kentucky included. Molina operates here under the Passport by Molina name, and it's leaving the kynect marketplace for 2027. Its service area centered on Lexington's Bluegrass region, covering Fayette, Scott, Woodford, Jessamine, Clark and Bourbon counties. That includes Georgetown, Versailles, Nicholasville, Winchester and Paris. If you enrolled in Molina through kynect, your coverage ends December 31, 2026, and you'll need another plan.
Here's why this departure might not be obvious. Molina submitted Kentucky rates for 2027, which initially suggests it's continuing as usual. But the filing actually lists just one plan, available exclusively outside the marketplace. Coverage purchased outside kynect isn't eligible for the premium tax credit. For most people relying on that financial help, Molina therefore isn't a practical replacement.
Most of the six affected counties will have two marketplace insurers instead of three. Bourbon County near Paris falls from two to just one. If you don't make a selection there, the marketplace can only assign you to that remaining company. Before kynect's deadline, check whether its network includes your physicians and the Lexington hospital you would use.
Kentucky residents have faced a similar situation before. CareSource is reported to have exited the Kentucky marketplace for 2026, with no rate filing for that year. If that departure caused you to change coverage, take another close look at your current plan before renewing.
Since Kentucky's marketplace had no PPO coverage in 2026, Molina's departure doesn't remove any marketplace PPO choices. But I can help you compare a private nationwide PPO, especially if you're healthy and earn too much to receive the premium tax credit. If you qualify for assistance, I'd stay with kynect and choose coverage that includes your doctors.
Different state? Pick yours here.
These are the 6 Kentucky 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.
Down to one insurer: Bourbon County is left with only Anthem (Elevance) on the marketplace.
The Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bourbon | Molina | 1 (only one) | Anthem (Elevance) | No |
| Clark | Molina | 2 | Ambetter (Centene); Anthem (Elevance) | No |
| Fayette | Molina | 2 | Ambetter (Centene); Anthem (Elevance) | No |
| Jessamine | Molina | 2 | Ambetter (Centene); Anthem (Elevance) | No |
| Scott | Molina | 2 | Ambetter (Centene); Anthem (Elevance) | No |
| Woodford | Molina | 2 | Ambetter (Centene); Anthem (Elevance) | 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.
Instead of using HealthCare.gov, Kentucky operates kynect, its own marketplace. Notices come directly from that exchange, and enrollment deadlines may differ from HealthCare.gov's December 15 cutoff for January 1 coverage and January 15 closing date. Verify the schedule on kynect before making plans. Its notice will also identify any replacement coverage you might receive automatically if you take no action.
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 Kentucky county.
Regardless of which insurers remain on your county's marketplace, I can help you obtain a nationwide PPO in Kentucky. The Kentucky 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 Kentucky.
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
Molina (confirmed). Altogether, 6 of Kentucky's 120 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.
Because Kentucky uses its own exchange, kynect, don't assume HealthCare.gov's December 15 and January 15 deadlines apply. Confirm the dates directly with kynect and make your selection early enough for January 1 coverage.
Yes. I can help you find a nationwide PPO available in Kentucky. The Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky