CVS to Exit ACA Exchanges in 2026, Citing Losses

CVS Health has announced it will exit the Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual insurance exchanges in 2026, impacting approximately 1 million Aetna members in 17 states who will need to find new coverage. The decision is driven by ongoing financial losses in the ACA market, with CVS projecting up to $400 million in losses for 2025 and reporting no viable path to profitability for these plans. This marks Aetna's second major exit from the exchanges since 2018, following a brief return in 2022 amid rising enrollment. The move comes amid political uncertainty over future ACA subsidies, as enhanced tax credits are set to expire and possible Republican-led budget cuts could further affect health benefits. Despite overall financial improvement for CVS Health, including a $1.8 billion profit in Q1 2025, the ACA segment continues to underperform. The exit raises concerns about future access and affordability for affected individuals.