CareSource and Molina Will Exit Ohio ACA Marketplace in 2027
The departure will require 54,000 residents to find new health coverage during the upcoming open enrollment period.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Healthcare
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CareSource and Molina Healthcare will cease offering ACA Marketplace plans in Ohio starting in 2027, impacting approximately 54,000 current enrollees. The companies attributed their withdrawals to rising healthcare costs and declining financial performance in the exchange market.
Why it matters
The exit reduces the competitive pool for residents, shifting 54,000 members into the remaining nine insurance companies approved for the 2027 exchange. Providers and local health organizations must prepare for a significant volume of enrollees seeking alternative coverage during the transition.
Approximately 54,000 Ohioans will lose their current plans, including 28,300 CareSource members recorded as of May 2026. Molina Healthcare reported a 92.2% medical care ratio for the second quarter of 2026, contributing to a 76% decline in net income year-over-year.
The players
CareSource
A non-profit managed care organization that provides public health insurance programs across multiple states.
Molina Healthcare
A managed care company that operates health plans through government-sponsored programs including Medicaid and the ACA Marketplace.
The details
The insurers are pulling out as medical loss ratios rise and premium revenue fails to keep pace with healthcare utilization costs. Members will retain their current coverage through December 31, 2026, before being forced to select new plans. Although these two carriers are exiting, nine other insurance companies remain authorized to sell plans on the Ohio exchange for 2027.
Timeline
May 2026: CareSource served 28,300 marketplace members.
June 30, 2026: The second quarter concluded for Molina Healthcare.
November 1, 2026: Open enrollment for 2027 coverage commences.
December 31, 2026: Coverage for current members of the exiting plans terminates.
2027: CareSource and Molina will no longer offer marketplace plans in Ohio.
Market Landscape
The withdrawal of these carriers follows a pattern of volatility in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace where regional insurers adjust participation based on shifting medical loss ratios. This realignment underscores the sensitivity of exchange participation to localized cost trends and insurance profitability.
Operators in the healthcare sector should monitor the redistribution of the 54,000 displaced members as they shift to the nine remaining exchange carriers. Businesses with employees who rely on individual market coverage should alert staff to review plan options during the November 1, 2026 open enrollment period.
The takeaway
The departure of two major carriers highlights the fragility of exchange participation when medical care costs exceed premium ceilings. Ensure your administrative team is prepared to support employees in navigating the transition during the open enrollment window beginning November 1, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the state of the regional exchange, see Ohio Healthcare.
More information
Residents can review available options through the Ohio Department of Insurance marketplace resources.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SpringfieldNewsSun.
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