How to Cancel Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) in 2026

Updated February 2026 • 10 min read

Here is the thing most people do not realize: Blue Cross Blue Shield is not one company. It is a federation of 34 independent insurance companies operating in different states. When you call "BCBS to cancel," you need to call YOUR specific company. The process, phone number, and rules are different depending on where you live.

Step 1: Identify Your BCBS Company

Look at your insurance card. The specific company name is printed on it. Common ones include:

• Anthem Blue Cross — California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois — Illinois
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas — Texas
• Highmark — Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia
• CareFirst — Maryland, DC, Northern Virginia
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan — Michigan
• Premera Blue Cross — Washington, Alaska
• Independence Blue Cross — Philadelphia area
• Florida Blue — Florida
• Horizon Blue Cross — New Jersey

The phone number on the back of your card is the right number to call. Do not Google a generic "BCBS phone number" — it will likely route you to the wrong company.

Step 2: Determine Your Plan Type

Just like with any health insurer, your cancellation path depends on how you got covered:

• Employer plan: Contact HR. BCBS cannot cancel it for you.
• Marketplace plan: Cancel through healthcare.gov (or your state exchange).
• Individual plan: Call the number on your card.
• Medicare Supplement: Special rules — see below.

Canceling an Employer BCBS Plan

Your employer is the policyholder. BCBS has no authority to cancel your coverage — only your employer can remove you from the group plan. Contact your HR department and ask about the process. Most employers require you to wait for open enrollment or have a qualifying life event (marriage, birth, loss of other coverage, moving).

Canceling a Marketplace BCBS Plan

1. Log into healthcare.gov (or your state exchange like Covered California, NY State of Health, etc.)
2. Navigate to your current plan
3. Select "End Coverage" or "Report a Life Change"
4. Choose your desired end date
5. Confirm cancellation

State exchanges: If your state has its own marketplace (California, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, etc.), you cancel there — not healthcare.gov.

Canceling a Direct Individual BCBS Plan

1. Call the member services number on your insurance card
2. Have your member ID, date of birth, and policy number ready
3. Request cancellation and your desired end date
4. Ask for written confirmation via email or mail
5. Send a follow-up cancellation letter (certified mail recommended)

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans

You can cancel a BCBS Medigap plan at any time — there is no enrollment period restriction. However, if you cancel and want to re-enroll later, the insurer can deny you or charge higher rates based on your health (outside the initial enrollment period). Think carefully before dropping Medigap coverage.

What BCBS Costs (And Why People Cancel)

Average BCBS premiums range from $300-600/month for individuals. Common reasons for canceling:

• Premium increases (BCBS rates rose 8-12% in many states for 2026)
• Network narrowing — your doctor or hospital dropped out
• Found a cheaper plan during open enrollment
• Job change with new employer coverage
• Qualifying for Medicare at 65
• Moving to a state where your BCBS company does not operate

After Cancellation

• Keep your cancellation confirmation for at least 2 years
• Monitor your bank account for continued charges
• Notify your doctors that your BCBS coverage has ended
• File any outstanding claims before your coverage terminates
• Consider COBRA if you are between employer plans (usually more expensive but provides continuity)

The Bottom Line

Canceling BCBS is straightforward once you know your plan type and your specific company. The biggest mistake people make is calling the wrong BCBS entity or trying to cancel through the insurer when they need to go through their employer or marketplace. Use the number on your card, know your plan type, and always have replacement coverage ready.