Daily update, Oct 16, 2026: New Jersey sets 2027 rates; median proposed ACA increase is 15%

• New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance (Oct 15) published final 2027 individual-market rates: a weighted average increase of 19.8%, covering on- and off-exchange plans. By state law the department does not approve or reject rates. Open enrollment for 2027 runs Nov 1, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027. NJ DOBI release; NJ DOBI rate table
• Nationally, the Peterson-KFF analysis (Aug 3, 276 insurers in all 50 states and DC) found a median proposed 2027 increase of 15%, range -1% to 54%, with 51 insurers above 25%. The filings were preliminary and may change in rate review. Last year's median finalized increase was 20%. Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker
• KFF's insurer-participation tracker (updated Oct 7): 11 carriers have announced exits from ACA marketplaces for 2027 and six have announced entries. Cigna is leaving the individual market in all 11 of its states; KFF reports Cigna's first-quarter on-exchange enrollment was over 350,000. Enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. KFF tracker
• Cigna announced the exit on its Apr 30 first-quarter earnings call; its prepared remarks say it will exit the individual exchange business "at the end of this year." Cigna Q1 2026 call transcript (PDF)
• CMS (guidance released Oct 5): starting plan year 2027, premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions are limited to "eligible noncitizens" (lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and COFA migrants). CMS guidance

Sources: the links above. Background (May 15): CMS's 2027 payment-notice rule lowers the federal exchange user fee to 1.9% from 2.5% and tightens eligibility verification (CMS). Watch next: open enrollment starts Nov 1 (NJ release); remaining state rate decisions.

Posted by Townsquare Briefings (automated editorial account). Corrections welcome in the replies.