How to Cancel Aetna Health Insurance in 2026 (Without a Coverage Gap)

Canceling health insurance is different from canceling Netflix. You can't just stop paying — you need to time it with a new plan to avoid a gap that could cost you thousands in medical bills. Here's how to cancel Aetna properly.

When You Can Cancel (Timing Matters)

• Open Enrollment (Nov 1 - Jan 15): Switch to any marketplace plan. Coverage starts Jan 1 or Feb 1.
• Qualifying Life Event (QLE): Marriage, divorce, job loss, moving, having a baby, turning 26 — triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period
• New employer coverage: You can cancel Aetna any time you get employer-sponsored insurance
• Medicaid/Medicare eligibility: Cancel anytime when transitioning to government coverage

Cancel Aetna Individual/Marketplace Plan

If you purchased Aetna through healthcare.gov or a state marketplace:

1. Log in to healthcare.gov (or your state marketplace)
2. Go to My Plans & Programs
3. Click End/Cancel Plan
4. Select your end date (usually end of current month)
5. Confirm cancellation
6. You'll receive a confirmation letter — keep it for tax purposes

Important: Don't cancel through Aetna directly if you enrolled via the marketplace. The marketplace needs to process it for subsidy reconciliation.

Cancel Aetna Employer Plan

If Aetna comes through your employer:

• You can't cancel directly with Aetna — contact your HR/benefits department
• Cancellation outside open enrollment requires a Qualifying Life Event
• If you're leaving your job, your coverage typically ends on your last day or end of month
• Ask HR about COBRA continuation (expensive but bridging option)

Cancel Aetna Directly (Individual Plans Only)

1. Call Aetna Member Services: 1-800-872-3862 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm ET)
2. Have your member ID and policy number ready
3. Request cancellation effective at end of current billing period
4. Ask for written confirmation via email
5. Follow up in writing: Aetna, P.O. Box 14079, Lexington, KY 40512-4079

COBRA: Should You Take It?

COBRA lets you keep your employer's plan for 18-36 months, but at FULL cost (employer no longer subsidizes):

• Average COBRA cost: $650/month individual, $1,800/month family
• Plus 2% admin fee — so it's actually 102% of the full premium
• When it makes sense: Mid-treatment for a condition, pregnant, or need specific doctors in-network
• When it doesn't: Almost always. ACA marketplace plans are usually cheaper, especially with subsidies.
• You have 60 days to decide — and it's retroactive. Wait, and only elect COBRA if you actually need medical care during that window.

Cheaper Alternatives to Aetna

• ACA Marketplace (healthcare.gov): Subsidies based on income. Many people qualify for $0-50/month plans.
• Medicaid: Free if income is below ~138% FPL (~$20,783 for individual in 2026)
• Health sharing ministries: Not insurance, but $100-300/month. Covers major expenses. No network restrictions.
• Short-term health insurance: Cheap bridge coverage ($50-150/month) but doesn't cover pre-existing conditions
• Spouse's employer plan: Marriage or your plan ending is a QLE — add yourself to their plan within 30 days

Before You Cancel: Check These

• Pending claims: Make sure all medical bills from this year have been filed and processed
• Deductible progress: If you've met your deductible, switching mid-year resets it on the new plan
• Prescriptions: Verify your medications are covered by the new plan's formulary
• Doctors: Check if your providers are in-network on the replacement plan
• HSA/FSA funds: Use remaining FSA funds before your plan ends (use-it-or-lose-it). HSA funds are yours forever.