Medica Leaving the Marketplace in 2027: What Members Need to Do

By Michael Sprague, Licensed Health Insurance Agent · Reviewed by Heather Sprague, Licensed Health Insurance Agent

Medica will no longer offer individual and family Marketplace plans in Iowa, Kansas or Oklahoma starting January 1, 2027. The change affects about 4,000 members in Iowa, 8,400 in Oklahoma and about 600 in the Kansas City area of Kansas. Medica has also said it is leaving the Kansas City, Missouri, individual market.

If you have a Medica Marketplace plan, your coverage continues through December 31, 2026 as long as you pay your premium. To avoid a gap, pick a new plan by December 15. A licensed Vivna agent can compare every plan in your ZIP code for free. Call 888-730-6031.

Where Medica Is Leaving the Marketplace

Here is where Medica is leaving the individual Marketplace for 2027:

Area	About how many members	State guide
Iowa	About 4,000	Iowa uses HealthCare.gov
Kansas (Kansas City area)	About 600	Kansas uses HealthCare.gov
Oklahoma	About 8,400	Oklahoma open enrollment
Kansas City, Missouri, area counties	Not published	Missouri open enrollment

When Your Medica Plan Ends

Your current Medica Marketplace plan stays in force through December 31, 2026 if you keep paying premiums. Claims for care you get in 2026 are still covered under your plan rules.

Starting January 1, 2027, the plan ends. Doctors and pharmacies will no longer accept your Medica Marketplace ID card for 2027 services.

What You Need to Do Now

• Pick a new plan by December 15 so coverage starts January 1 with no gap.
• Do not rely on auto-renewal. The Marketplace may move you into a plan from another insurer, but it may not have your doctors or the lowest price.
• Update your 2027 income so your premium tax credit is right.
• Check doctors and prescriptions in each new plan's network and drug list.
• Restart any prior authorizations and ask your doctor about continuity of care if you are in treatment.
• Reset expectations on deductibles. Your new plan starts a new deductible on January 1.

Your Replacement Options

Oklahoma: Ambetter, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, CommunityCare, Oscar and UnitedHealthcare offer 2027 Marketplace plans. Mending is also leaving Oklahoma. Iowa: Wellmark, Iowa Total Care, Avera and other insurers remain, with some of the smallest rate increases in the country for 2027. Kansas City area: Check hospital networks closely. Some hospitals, including Children's Mercy, have said they will not be in network with certain Marketplace plans in 2027.

A licensed agent can check which remaining plans include your doctors and hospitals.

Key 2027 Deadlines

Date	What it means
November 1, 2026	Open enrollment opens on HealthCare.gov
December 15, 2026	Enroll by this date for coverage starting January 1, 2027
December 31, 2026	Your Medica Marketplace plan ends
January 15, 2027	Open enrollment closes on HealthCare.gov. Plans picked now start February 1

Losing coverage because your insurer leaves may also qualify you for a special enrollment period, but do not wait. Picking a plan during open enrollment is the only way to avoid a gap.

Do Not Forget Dental, Vision and Extras

If your Medica plan included or was paired with dental, vision or supplemental benefits, check whether those end too. You can add dental insurance, vision insurance or hospital indemnity coverage to a new plan.

If Your Insurer Is Leaving, You Are Not Alone

At least a dozen insurers announced Marketplace exits for 2027, according to healthinsurance.org, including Cigna in 11 states. Rising costs and the end of the enhanced federal subsidies are the main reasons. See our guides to Cigna leaving the Marketplace and what to do when your insurer leaves.

Medica Leaving the Marketplace: FAQ

Is Medica leaving the Marketplace?

In Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma, and the Kansas City, Missouri, area, yes. Medica continues in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin and other parts of Missouri.

When does my Medica plan end?

Members keep benefits until their plan ends on December 31, 2026, as long as premiums are paid.

What should Kansas City families check?

Hospital networks. Make sure your children's hospital and doctors are in network before you choose a 2027 plan.

Can I keep my doctor?

Only if your doctor is in network with your new plan. Check before you enroll.

Next Steps for Medica members

Choose a new plan by December 15 so your coverage continues on January 1. Compare premiums, deductibles, networks and drug coverage, and update your income. See open enrollment deadlines by state.

Want a licensed agent to help? Call 888-730-6031, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, or request a free quote.

Sources

1. Becker's Payer: Medica to exit ACA market in 3 states
2. KCTV5: Medica confirms Kansas City Marketplace exit
3. healthinsurance.org: Health insurers are exiting the Marketplace again
4. HealthCare.gov

Related Guides

• What to do if your insurer leaves
• Cigna leaving the Marketplace
• Open enrollment deadlines
• How to compare Marketplace plans

Vivna Insurance is a licensed independent agency, not a government website. Our help is free; we are paid by the insurance companies we work with. Coverage options, deadlines and costs vary by plan and state.