How to Cancel Aetna Health Insurance in 2026

Updated February 2026 • 8 min read

Canceling health insurance is not like canceling Netflix. With Aetna, the process depends entirely on how you got your plan. Get it wrong and you could end up with a coverage gap that costs you thousands — or worse, you keep paying for a plan you thought you canceled.

First: What Type of Aetna Plan Do You Have?

This is the single most important question. Your cancellation path is completely different depending on your answer:

• Employer-sponsored plan: You cannot cancel directly with Aetna. You must go through your HR department.
• Marketplace plan (healthcare.gov): Cancel through healthcare.gov, not Aetna.
• Individual/direct plan: Call Aetna at 1-800-872-3862.
• Medicare Advantage: Different rules entirely — covered below.

Canceling an Employer-Sponsored Aetna Plan

If your employer provides your Aetna coverage, Aetna literally cannot cancel your plan. Your employer is the policyholder, not you. Here is what to do:

1. Contact your HR or benefits department
2. Ask about the next qualifying event or open enrollment period
3. Submit your cancellation request in writing during that window
4. Get written confirmation with your coverage end date

Important: You can only cancel mid-year if you have a qualifying life event (marriage, divorce, new baby, moving to a new state, getting other coverage). Otherwise, you are waiting until open enrollment.

Canceling an ACA Marketplace Aetna Plan

1. Log in at healthcare.gov
2. Go to "My Plans & Programs"
3. Select your current Aetna plan
4. Click "End Coverage" or "Report a Life Change"
5. Choose your end date (can be end of current month)
6. Confirm the cancellation

Do NOT call Aetna for marketplace plan cancellations. They will tell you the same thing — go to healthcare.gov. The marketplace controls enrollment, not the insurance company.

Canceling a Direct Individual Aetna Plan

If you purchased your plan directly from Aetna (not through an employer or marketplace):

1. Call 1-800-872-3862 (Member Services)
2. Have your member ID ready
3. Request cancellation and specify your desired end date
4. Ask for a confirmation number and written confirmation via email
5. Follow up in writing — fax or mail a cancellation letter to the address on your card

Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage cancellation has its own rules. You can disenroll during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7) or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 - March 31). Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or contact Aetna Senior Products at 1-855-338-7027.

Before You Cancel: Critical Warnings

What Aetna Costs You (And Why People Cancel)

The average Aetna plan costs $300-500/month for individual coverage and $1,200-2,000/month for families. Common reasons people switch:

• Found cheaper coverage on the marketplace during open enrollment
• Switching jobs (new employer has different insurer)
• Network changes — their doctor left the Aetna network
• Moving to a state where Aetna coverage is limited
• Qualifying for Medicare or Medicaid

Getting a Refund

If you cancel mid-month, you may be entitled to a prorated refund for the remaining days. This depends on your specific plan terms. Always ask about refund eligibility when you call. Employer plans typically end at the end of the month you cancel. Keep all confirmation numbers and follow up if a refund does not appear within 30 days.

The Bottom Line

Canceling Aetna is not hard — it is confusing because the process depends on your plan type. Figure out whether you have an employer plan, marketplace plan, or individual plan first. Then follow the right path. And whatever you do, line up replacement coverage before you pull the trigger.