CoxHealth Joins Forces with Oscar Health

CoxHealth today announced a new strategic partnership with Oscar Health Inc. (“Oscar”) (NYSE: OSCR) to bring Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace healthcare coverage to eight counties across southwest Missouri, expanding area residents’ access to ACA-qualified coverage built around CoxHealth's comprehensive network of hospitals, clinics, and physicians.   

The new Oscar health plans in partnership with CoxHealth will be available through HealthCare.gov during the Open Enrollment Period – which runs Nov. 1, 2026, to Jan. 15, 2027, for coverage in 2027 – in Barry, Barton, Christian, Greene, Lawrence, Stone, Taney, and Webster counties.  

As part of this transition, Cox HealthPlans will no longer offer ACA Marketplace coverage directly in their current five-county region beginning in 2027. Cox HealthPlans, CoxHealth's insurance company, will continue to offer off-exchange individual insurance products for the community in Greene, Christian, Webster, Stone, Taney, Barry, and Lawrence counties.   

Employer groups can also access these health plans through Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs). An alternative to costly group health insurance, ICHRAs allow companies to give employees tax-free dollars to pay for an individual health plan on the ACA Marketplace that best suits their needs. This gives staff more flexibility to find coverage that fits them, while helping cost-conscious employers control spending without sacrificing coverage quality.  

Further demonstrating CoxHealth’s ongoing commitment to increasing access, the health network broadened its service area to include Webster and Greene Counties, reaching even more communities across the region. Individual coverage options for 2027 will be communicated to existing members soon.   

“We're excited about this new partnership with Oscar Health,” said Max Buetow, President and CEO, CoxHealth. “It's a great option for families across our region who want ACA Marketplace coverage connected to the CoxHealth doctors and care teams they already know. Partnerships like this reflect what CoxHealth is all about — finding new ways to connect our communities to high-quality, affordable care close to home.”   

Oscar is one of the largest carriers in the individual market. Oscar has been a proud health plan of choice among Missourians for seven years, with more than three in five members recommending Oscar to their family and friends.  

“Oscar is proud to join forces with CoxHealth to broaden dependable ACA Marketplace coverage for Missourians who need it,” said Jeremy Zick, Missouri Market President, Oscar Health. “We’re excited to build a health plan around CoxHealth’s strong local network that will bring residents more choice, without asking local families to give up the doctors and hospitals they already trust.”  

Area residents, including current Cox HealthPlans Marketplace members, are encouraged to review their options during Open Enrollment. Patients with questions about which plans keep them in-network with CoxHealth providers are encouraged to contact a broker or visit HealthCare.gov.   

About CoxHealth  

CoxHealth is an award-winning, locally owned, not-for-profit regional health system serving southwest Missouri with six hospitals, more than 80 clinics, five emergency departments, and more than 14,000 employees. Missouri's first hospital system accredited by DNV Healthcare for quality and patient safety, CoxHealth is also the only Springfield-area hospital named for seven consecutive years to U.S. News & World Report's Best Regional Hospitals list. For more information, visit coxhealth.com.      

About Oscar Health  

Oscar Health, Inc. is a leading healthcare technology company built on a full-stack platform and a relentless focus on member experience. Oscar Health helps make high-quality and affordable care more accessible for millions of people through Oscar’s Individual & Family plans and ICHRA solutions, Lucie Health Marketplace, and Trove Group. Consumers benefit from better choice, deeper engagement, and connection to high-value clinical care.