Cigna is exiting the exchange business at the end of the year, the company’s incoming CEO, Brian Evanko, said during its April 30 first quarter earnings call.
“We did not make this decision lightly,” he said, adding there are no network or coverage changes associated with the update. Cigna’s individual and family plans include 369,000 lives.
The company sold its Medicare Advantage business to Health Care Service Corp. in 2025. Mr. Evanko said the divestment “enabled greater focus and investment in the remaining businesses within our portfolio, supporting our forward-looking growth path.”
The Cigna Group also reported a $1.65 billion profit for the three months ended March 31, 2026, according to its earnings release.
Profit was up 25% year over year. Total revenue was $68.5 billion for the quarter, a 5% increase from the same period last year. Adjusted income from operations was under $2.1 billion, a 12% increase year over year.
Total Evernorth revenue rose 9% year over year, reaching $58.4 billion. Operational income was $1.3 billion, up 18% from that period in 2025.
Cigna Healthcare brought in under $11.5 billion in total revenue, down 21% year over year, driven by the HCSC MA sale. Operational income in the first quarter was about $1.5 billion, a 12% increase.
The company’s medical loss ratio was 79.8%, a 240 basis point drop from the first quarter in 2025. Cigna attributed the lower percentage to the HCSC transaction, as well.
Cigna had 18.3 million members in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 18 million in the same quarter in 2025.
The company raised its 2026 outlook for adjusted income from operations to at least $30.35 per share, up $0.10 from the prior projection.
At the Becker's 5th Annual Fall Payer Issues Roundtable, taking place November 2–3 in Chicago, payer executives and healthcare leaders will come together to discuss value-based care, regulatory changes, cost management strategies and innovations shaping the future of payer-provider collaboration. Apply for complimentary registration now.