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 West Virginia marketplace for 2027.
Altogether, 55 of West Virginia's 55 counties lose at least one marketplace insurer. In 55 of them, only one marketplace insurer is left.
Hi, I'm Sam Jaber, licensed to help with health insurance in 36 states, including West Virginia. The state's biggest 2027 development is CareSource's departure. Starting January 1, 2027, it will no longer offer individual coverage in West Virginia, whether purchased on or off the marketplace.
During 2026, all 55 West Virginia counties had exactly 2 marketplace insurers, including CareSource. CareSource is leaving the marketplace. That means Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia remains the sole insurer from the 2026 lineup serving the entire state. The situation is the same in Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Martinsburg, Parkersburg, Wheeling and Beckley, along with every other county and community across West Virginia.
There is one reported possibility that could alter this picture. A rate roundup identifies another insurer offering individual coverage in West Virginia for 2027. However, I haven't confirmed marketplace participation, and other reporting places it outside the marketplace. Until the official 2027 lineup arrives in late October, I'd treat that information as reported rather than confirmed.
When only one marketplace insurer remains, the decision shifts from choosing a company to comparing that company's plans. You still need to evaluate the metal level, deductible and network. Make sure your actual doctors and preferred hospital participate in the specific plan you're considering.
Consider a small farming family outside Lewisburg currently insured by CareSource. Based on the marketplace options, Highmark is their only remaining company for 2027. Before December 15, I'd have them contact their family physician and the hospital they'd use, confirm which Highmark marketplace plans each accepts for 2027, and select accordingly.
Highmark offered marketplace PPOs throughout every West Virginia county in 2026, so that type of coverage remains available. If you're healthy and your income is above the premium tax credit threshold, I'd also compare a nationwide private PPO. Its pricing depends on your health, and it gives you another option beside the remaining marketplace insurer.
Different state? Pick yours here.
These are the 55 West Virginia 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: Barbour, Berkeley, Boone, Braxton, Brooke, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mineral, Mingo, Monongalia, Monroe, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood and Wyoming counties are left with only Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia on the marketplace.
On the marketplace, PPO plans were sold in 55 of West Virginia's 55 counties in 2026, and all 55 of those counties still have one after the exits. Those PPO plans come from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia.
| County | Insurer leaving | Insurers left | Who's left (2026 plans) | Marketplace PPO after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbour | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Berkeley | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Boone | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Braxton | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Brooke | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Cabell | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Calhoun | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Clay | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Doddridge | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Fayette | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Gilmer | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Grant | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Greenbrier | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Hampshire | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Hancock | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Hardy | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Harrison | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Jackson | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Jefferson | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Kanawha | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Lewis | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Lincoln | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Logan | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Marion | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Marshall | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Mason | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| McDowell | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Mercer | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Mineral | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Mingo | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Monongalia | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Monroe | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Morgan | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Nicholas | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Ohio | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Pendleton | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Pleasants | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Pocahontas | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Preston | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Putnam | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Raleigh | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Randolph | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Ritchie | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Roane | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Summers | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Taylor | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Tucker | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Tyler | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Upshur | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Wayne | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Webster | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Wetzel | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Wirt | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Wood | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
| Wyoming | CareSource | 1 (only one) | Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | Yes |
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.
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 West Virginia county.
Regardless of which insurers remain on your county's marketplace, I can help you obtain a nationwide PPO in West Virginia. On the marketplace, PPO plans were sold in 55 of West Virginia's 55 counties in 2026, and all 55 of those counties still have one after the exits. Those PPO plans come from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia.
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 West Virginia.
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
CareSource (confirmed). Altogether, 55 of West Virginia's 55 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 West Virginia. On the marketplace, PPO plans were sold in 55 of West Virginia's 55 counties in 2026, and all 55 of those counties still have one after the exits. Those PPO plans come from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia.
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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia