AETNA announced this week that as of Friday, it would cease offering small group insurance plans in Colorado to companies with fifty employees or less.  According to a 9News story, a press release was issued in which Anjie Coplin, a spokesperson for Aetna said that the withdrawal from this market was based on several factors, including the inability to offer affordable plans. 

In addition to not offering new policies, the company will begin moving existing clients off of their plans.  This move is estimated to affect one thousand companies which will cause changes for an undisclosed number of families.  Reports indicate that other carriers may issue plan coverage to former Aetna policy holders.