Every November, many people skim through their insurance renewal notices. If you are using a Cigna individual plan in Tennessee this year, you need to change that habit.

Cigna Healthcare has posted an announcement on its website stating that it will no longer offer individual and family medical plans starting January 1, 2027.

The message is clear. It has been stated that you cannot purchase, renew, or continue a plan for 2027.

The announcement indicates that Tennessee is one of the states directed to HealthCare.gov. This means you should choose a new plan through the marketplace or a broker for next year.

Dental plans are separate. Individual and family dental plans will still be available after 2027, so there's no need to worry about those.

The reason for the exit is not mentioned in the announcement. While it may be inferred from a business perspective, I won't speculate on unconfirmed information here.

First, let's look at the dates. The open enrollment period for 2027 started on November 1 and ends on January 15 of next year.

However, the actual deadline is better viewed as December 15. You need to choose and pay your first premium by this date for coverage to begin on January 1.

If you enroll between December 16 and January 15, coverage will start on February 1. I personally wouldn't include this period in my plans.

What happens if you do nothing? According to HealthCare.gov, if your current insurer does not offer a plan next year, you will be automatically re-enrolled in a plan from another insurer.

However, this is not a reason to feel secure. There's no guarantee that the automatically assigned plan will cover your doctor and medications, and it won't start until you pay your first premium.

Finding out that you are out of network after being automatically switched and visiting a hospital is the most frustrating scenario.

Therefore, the order of comparison is important. I look at the network first before considering the premium.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance also advised checking the networks of each insurer and confirming whether your medical providers are included.

Make a list of your primary care physician, specialists, and frequently visited hospitals, and make calls to verify. Don't just ask for the hospital name; it's best to specify the plan name as well.

The same goes for medications. Check if your current medications are on the new plan's formulary, and if any are missing, consult your doctor or pharmacist before discontinuing them.

Next is the metal tier. The average percentage of costs covered by the plans is 60% for Bronze, 70% for Silver, 80% for Gold, and 90% for Platinum.

It's misleading to interpret these numbers as quality. HealthCare.gov has noted that the tier does not correlate with the quality of care.

If you rarely visit the hospital, a Bronze plan may suffice; if you have regular check-ups and prescriptions, it's worth considering Silver or Gold. Don't just look at the monthly premium; also consider deductibles and copays.

There are additional considerations for Silver plans. The cost-sharing reduction benefit, which lowers your out-of-pocket expenses for each visit, applies only to Silver plans.

If your income qualifies but you choose a Bronze plan simply because it's cheaper, you will miss out on this benefit. The exact amount will be determined once you submit your application and review the Silver plans.

The premium tax credit is determined by household size and expected income. If you received a large amount in advance, you may need to repay the difference when filing taxes, so I wouldn't underestimate my expected income.

Tennessee is divided into eight regions for premium calculations. The costs may vary depending on where you live, so take your friends' premiums as a rough reference only.

I didn't include information on which insurers remain in each region or how much premiums will increase next year, as those numbers cannot be confirmed from official sources. The most accurate way is to check directly on HealthCare.gov using your ZIP code.

If you miss the enrollment period, you'll need to look into special enrollment periods. If you've lost or are about to lose qualifying coverage, you may be eligible within 60 days before or after that event, but you may be asked for documentation.

Ask the call center how Cigna's exit applies to this situation. I wouldn't recommend relying on this path and delaying.

If you find it difficult to navigate alone, there are resources available. The Marketplace call center is at 1-800-318-2596, and navigator consultations are free.

Another option is to hire a licensed agent. For inquiries related to premium increases, you can contact the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Consumer Services at (615) 741-2218.

Don't forget to check with Cigna as well. The announcement includes a link to verify your plan documents and claims on myCigna, so it's wise to gather any necessary information before the end of the year.

I would aim to finish verifying networks this month and complete my first premium payment by early December. There's nothing more foolish than waiting until the deadline to navigate the website.

Insurance is something you choose before you get sick. While it's not a cause for panic if one company drops out, it's also not a time to be complacent.