Cigna plan options depend on where your coverage comes from. Through an employer, Cigna still offers Open Access Plus (OAP), PPO, HMO and LocalPlus plans. However, Cigna stops selling individual and family medical plans after December 31, 2026, in all 11 states where it sells them. So if you buy your own Cigna plan, you need a new plan for next year.
Neither, exactly. Cigna Open Access Plus (OAP) is an open-access plan that works much like a PPO. You can see specialists without a referral, and a primary care doctor is optional. Most OAP plans also pay for out-of-network care, though you pay more. The OAP In-Network version, however, covers out-of-network care only in emergencies. That makes it closer to an HMO or EPO.
For claims, ID cards or billing, call Cigna at the member services number on the back of your ID card. Vivna is an independent agency, so we can't access your Cigna account. Our Find a Doctor in My Network page lists Cigna's doctor search and member phone numbers. Shopping for new coverage instead? Call a licensed Vivna agent at 888-730-6031.
- Cigna's employer plans, including Open Access Plus, PPO, HMO and LocalPlus, continue in 2027.
- Cigna individual and family medical plans end December 31, 2026, both on and off the Marketplace.
- The exit covers Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
- On HealthCare.gov, pick a new plan by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
- Cigna dental plans for individuals continue for 2027 and beyond.
Which Cigna plan options can you still get?
Many people who search for Cigna plans have coverage through work. For them, nothing big changes. In contrast, people who bought a Cigna plan on their own face a hard deadline. So first, figure out which group you're in.
| Cigna product line | Status for 2027 |
|---|---|
| Employer medical plans (OAP, PPO, HMO, LocalPlus) | Continue as usual |
| Individual and family medical plans | End December 31, 2026, in all 11 states |
| Individual dental plans | Also continue for 2027 and beyond |
| Medicare Advantage, Part D, Medicare Supplement | Sold to HCSC in 2025, so no longer Cigna |
Your ID card and plan documents name your plan type. If your employer pays part of the premium, you have a group plan. On the other hand, if you picked the plan on HealthCare.gov, a state exchange or Cigna's website, it's an individual plan. For a full list of Cigna answers, browse our Cigna questions and answers library.
What is Cigna OAP (Open Access Plus)?
Cigna OAP is the company's main employer plan. According to Cigna, it uses a large national network of doctors and hospitals. You don't need a referral to see a specialist. Also, choosing a primary care provider (PCP) is optional, although Cigna recommends one to coordinate your care.
Employers can pick one of two versions. That choice decides what happens when you leave the network, so it matters more than the name.
- No referrals for specialists
- Out-of-network care is covered, but you pay more
- You may need to file your own claim out of network
- No referrals for in-network specialists
- Out-of-network care is covered only in emergencies
- Hospital stays may still need prior approval
Both versions cover emergency and urgent care 24/7 at the in-network level your plan defines. Both may also need prior approval for hospital stays and some outpatient care. One state twist applies too. Under rules for health coverage sold in Texas, Cigna classes OAP as a preferred provider plan and OAP In-Network as an exclusive provider plan.
Open Access Plus vs PPO vs HMO: Cigna plan options compared
Cigna OAP, PPO, HMO and LocalPlus plans differ mainly in three ways: whether you need a PCP, whether you need referrals, and whether out-of-network care counts. Here is how Cigna describes each plan type.
| Plan type | PCP and referrals | Out-of-network care |
|---|---|---|
| Open Access Plus | PCP optional, so no referrals | Covered at a higher cost |
| OAP In-Network | PCP optional and referral-free | Emergencies only |
| PPO | Neither one required | Covered with more flexibility than OAP |
| HMO | Requires a PCP plus referrals | Not covered, except on HMO point-of-service versions |
| LocalPlus | Again, no PCP or referrals required | Available, though employers can restrict it |
Cigna says LocalPlus uses smaller local networks in 30+ service areas across 20 states. As a result, premiums are often lower than OAP or PPO plans. When you travel, its Away From Home Care feature gives in-network cost sharing nationwide.
Which of the Cigna plans fits you?
A Cigna PPO gives the widest out-of-network flexibility, usually at a higher premium.
Open Access Plus is the middle ground most employers offer.
An HMO uses referrals and a focused, cost-conscious local network.
LocalPlus can cost less when your doctors are in its local network.
For the basics behind each design, see our guide to all seven health plan types and our simple HMO and PPO side-by-side chart. Then compare your own plan's summary of benefits before open enrollment at work.
A licensed Vivna agent can check your doctors and drugs against new plans in your ZIP code and help you enroll, at no cost to you.
Cigna plan options for individuals are ending
In April 2026, Cigna announced it would leave the individual and family medical market as of January 1, 2027. Cigna's own site now says it will no longer offer these plans for 2027. According to KFF, the exit covers plans bought both on and off the Marketplace.
The 11 states are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Your current plan keeps working through December 31, 2026, as long as you pay your premiums. However, it will not renew, so you need a different carrier for January.
Florida members: two carriers to skip
Cigna is not a Florida option for next year. Molina is also not an option for Florida individual coverage, so don't plan around either one. Instead, our Florida plans and carriers page shows who still sells in your county.
What Cigna individual members should do before January 1
You have time, but not much. Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1 through January 15 on HealthCare.gov. So follow these steps in order.
- Keep paying your Cigna premium
Pay through December. A missed payment can end your coverage early.
- List your doctors and prescriptions
Then check each one in the new plan's directory and drug list before you choose.
- Update your income estimate
Your 2027 tax credit is figured fresh. Also, the enhanced subsidies expired after 2025, so your amount may change.
- Choose a new plan by December 15
That deadline gets you a January 1 start. Plans picked December 16 to January 15 start February 1.
- Pay the first premium
Finally, your new coverage starts only after the new carrier gets that first payment.
If you bought your Cigna plan directly from Cigna, no exchange will move you. You must buy a new plan yourself. And on HealthCare.gov, if you do nothing, the Marketplace may re-enroll you in a similar plan from a different insurer, with a different network, deductible and drug list.
State exchanges set their own dates
Colorado, Georgia, Illinois and Virginia run their own exchanges. For example, Virginia's Open Enrollment runs through January 29, 2027. Meanwhile, Connect for Health Colorado gives affected Cigna members a special enrollment period through March 1, 2027. Still, we suggest picking a plan during Open Enrollment rather than counting on extra time.
When you're ready, see our plan for moving to a new carrier without a gap. Then compare ACA and private plans in your ZIP code.
Check your doctors first, then compare prices.The rule our licensed agents repeat most to former Cigna members
Leaving your job? What happens to your Cigna plan
Your Cigna OAP plan usually ends when you leave the employer that offers it. Often, coverage runs through the end of that month. Your employer sets the exact date, so ask HR before your last day. After that, you have three main paths.
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| COBRA | Keep the same Cigna plan, usually for up to 18 months. However, you pay the full premium plus up to 2%. | People mid-treatment who must keep the same doctors |
| Marketplace plan | Losing job coverage opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. Income-based tax credits can lower the monthly cost. | People who want full ACA coverage at a lower price |
| Short-term or TriTerm plan | Fixed-term medical plans from UnitedHealthcare in select states. Approval depends on health questions. | Healthy people bridging a gap between jobs |
COBRA is simple, but it is often the most expensive path. For that reason, compare it before you sign the election form. Our guides to COBRA vs Marketplace coverage and COBRA vs short-term health insurance break down the costs. Also, see health insurance between jobs for timing tips.
Short-term and TriTerm plans are not ACA-compliant coverage. They may not cover pre-existing conditions, and they are not sold in every state.
A licensed Vivna agent can compare COBRA, Marketplace and short-term prices side by side in one call, at no cost to you.
Cigna dental, employer networks and other lines
Cigna's exit is limited to individual medical plans. So several Cigna products keep going, while others left Cigna years earlier.
- Individual Cigna dental plans continue for 2027 and beyond
- Employer OAP, PPO, HMO and LocalPlus plans continue
- Employer networks are not part of the exit
- Individual and family medical plans from Cigna after 2026
- Medicare plans, which HCSC bought from Cigna in 2025
- Cigna-branded supplemental plans, which also went to HCSC in that sale
If you like your Cigna dental plan, you can keep it next to a new medical plan from another carrier. Our dental plans for individuals and families page compares other options too. For network questions, our guide to the doctors and hospitals Cigna contracts with goes deeper.
Before you call, write down your doctors, your pharmacy and every prescription with its dose. With that list, we can check the networks and drug lists of the carriers still selling in your county. That way, your Cigna plan options turn into a short list of real replacements in one call.
Want to see how other carriers compare? Our Ambetter plan breakdown is a good start. You can also look up doctor search tools for every carrier, or visit Vivna's Cigna carrier page. Questions? Call a licensed Vivna agent at 888-730-6031.
Vivna sells individual dental and vision plans from Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aflac and Aetna. Call a licensed agent to compare them in minutes.
Cigna plan options: FAQs
Is Cigna leaving the Marketplace?
Yes, for individual and family medical plans. Cigna will no longer offer these plans for 2027, and current coverage ends December 31, 2026. The exit covers all 11 states where Cigna sold them, both on and off the Marketplace. However, Cigna employer plans and Cigna dental plans continue, so most people with Cigna through work see no change.
Is Cigna Open Access Plus a PPO?
Not exactly. Open Access Plus works much like a PPO, because it needs no referrals and the standard version covers out-of-network care. Still, the Cigna PPO is a separate plan with more out-of-network flexibility. In Texas, Cigna classes OAP as a preferred provider plan, while OAP In-Network counts as an exclusive provider plan.
Do Cigna plans need referrals?
It depends on the plan type. Open Access Plus, PPO and LocalPlus plans don't require referrals to specialists. In contrast, Cigna HMO plans require a primary care provider and referrals for specialist visits. Check your summary of benefits, since your employer's version may add its own rules, such as prior approval for hospital stays.
What happens if I don't choose a new plan?
On HealthCare.gov, the Marketplace may re-enroll you in a similar plan from a different insurer. That plan can have a different premium, network and drug list. If you bought directly from Cigna, though, nothing happens automatically, so your coverage simply ends. Choose a plan by December 15 to keep coverage starting January 1.
Can I keep my Cigna dental plan?
Yes. Cigna says its dental plans will continue to be available for 2027 and beyond. So you can keep your Cigna dental plan while you buy medical coverage from another carrier. Just confirm your dentist is still in network each year, because networks can change even when the plan stays.
Is Cigna OAP or a PPO better if you travel?
Both plans use Cigna's national network, so in-network care is available in most states. However, the standard OAP covers out-of-network care at a higher cost, and OAP In-Network covers it only in emergencies. If you often need doctors outside the network, a Cigna PPO gives you more room. Either way, emergency and urgent care are covered when you travel.
Is Cigna OAP or a PPO better for a family?
It depends on your family's doctors and budget. With OAP, choosing a primary care provider is optional and specialists need no referral. A PPO adds more out-of-network flexibility. So first, check that each family member's doctors are in network. Then compare the premiums, deductibles and copays in your employer's plan materials side by side.
What is Cigna Choice Fund OA Plus?
Choice Fund OA Plus pairs an Open Access Plus network with a health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement account (HRA). The network works like any OAP plan, with no referrals needed. Meanwhile, the account helps pay your deductible. Questions about your options? Call a Vivna agent at 888-730-6031.
Vivna's licensed agents compare plans from 50+ carriers. Call Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Sources
- Cigna: Individual and family health insurance plans (2027 notice)
- KFF: Tracking insurer participation changes in the ACA Marketplaces in 2027
- Cigna: Open Access Plus (OAP) plans
- HealthCare.gov: Dates and deadlines
- Cigna: Employer medical plans (LocalPlus, PPO, HMO)
- HealthCare.gov: If you're automatically re-enrolled
Vivna Insurance is a licensed, independent health insurance agency (NPN 19168641). We are not affiliated with HealthCare.gov or any government agency. Plan availability, networks and benefits vary by state and change over time.
Related guides
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