Cigna Health Insurance Review

Cigna Health Insurance Ratings at a Glance

While Cigna does have great rates and offers not only private health insurance through the Marketplace but Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plans as well, the only type of private insurance plans they offer is EPO. Just like an HMO, an EPO means you must stay in-network to take advantage of your plan. Any medical procedures or doctor’s appointments you make out of network will have to be paid out of your own pocket.

Cigna does offer, however, through Medicare, Special Needs Plans (SNPs). SNP plans include:

• Dual-eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) for people with both Medicare and Medicaid 
• Chronic Special Needs Plans (C-SNP) for members with diabetes and heart disease
• Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNPs) for people who live in long-term facilities or need the type of care usually delivered by a nursing home

The company also offers three types of stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDPs). These stand-alone prescription drug plans are meant to bridge the gap for medications that fall in between the cracks. Stand-alone drug plans work alongside Medicare Parts A and B and include:

• Rx Secure: Rx Secure from Cigna provides basic coverage with low monthly premiums for generic drugs and insulin. This plan is ideal for people on the Medicare Extra Help Program.
• Rx Secure-Essential: Rx Secure-Essential combines modest coverage with low premiums and low costs on most generic drugs.
• Rx Secure-Extra: Rx Secure-Extra provides a high level of coverage at higher monthly rates but with low out-of-pocket expense. This coverage is more comprehensive than the other two.

Which States is Cigna Health Insurance Available In?

Cigna offers medical plans in 12 states and dental plans in 49. Cigna offers health insurance in 8 states on the Marketplace.

• Medical plans — AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, MD, MO, NC, SC, TN, TX
• Dental plans — 49 states plus D.C.; not available in WA
• Marketplace plans — AZ, CO, FL, GA, MD, MO, TN, TX

Remember, if you’re seeking health care in these locations, your health coverage could vary depending on where you live. Each health plan is a powerful tool for managing your health, but you should not assume that anything is automatically covered.

Cigna gets high marks for health insurance customer service. Not only does it offer 24/7 telehealth services, customers can choose from a virtual treasure-trove of helpful information on the company website and its mobile app. Services include:

• Get an ID card
• File a claim
• View claims and EOBs
• Check coverage under My Plan
• See prescription drug list
• Find an in-network provider
• Find a healthcare form

Cigna Health Insurance scores a 1.04 on the NAIC Complaint Index, where a score of 1.0 rates average. In past years, the company scored better with an average of 0.88 in 2017.

Health plan benefits are generally easy to use, but remember that health insurance companies must carefully manage their coverages. Depending on the types of insurance you carry, certain services may be covered more than others.

If it’s low prices you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place. Average premiums for the four tier plans range anywhere from $268 to $968 per month for ages 21-60. Monthly premiums by tier (ages 21 and 60) average:

1. Bronze - $268-$730
2. Expanded Bronze - $286-$775
3. Silver - $342-$929
4. Gold - $357-$968

Getting a Cigna quote is as easy as logging onto any health insurance quote website. Because Cigna is sold through the Marketplace, quotes are available from a vast array of websites, insurance agents or at healthcare.gov. Remember, too, that changing the deductible will impact your premium. Plus, there are some programs that might have higher or lower premiums based on the amount of coverage you receive. Don’t be afraid to make changes to get the pricing that you prefer.

Cigna Health Insurance is offered through the Marketplace at Healthcare.gov. Applications are accepted during the period of open enrollment only, unless otherwise by special circumstance. Applications can also be taken by insurance agents or on the Cigna company website.

Plans that are effective January 1 have an open enrollment period from November 1 to December 15. Special enrollment is available if you recently lost your healthcare because of COVID-19 to another major life event in the past 60 days. Qualifying major life events include:

• Getting married or divorced
• Losing your employer-based health insurance coverage
• Losing your Medicaid or CHIP coverage
• Marketplace subsidies qualifications changed
• Moving to another state where your health insurance carrier is not offered

Cigna Health Insurance vs Competitors

While not available in all 50 states, still Cigna makes up for lack of availability with rock-bottom pricing. When comparing Cigna Health Insurance in Illinois, for example, Cigna beats the competition. 

Compare Cigna with Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois and the Celtic Insurance Company. For age 21, Cigna averages monthly premiums at $319 per month, compared to $417 and $333 respectively. For age 40, premiums average $408 for Cigna compared to $535 and $426 for the competition. For age 60, Cigna averages $866 compared to $1,125 and $904 for the competition.

When it comes to rates, with Cigna, the price is right. That doesn’t help the company, however, when it comes to a variety of plans and availability. Cigna Health Insurance plans are offered in just 12 states (only 8 on the Marketplace.) While dental insurance is offered in 49 states, EPO health insurance plans are limited in coverage. 

Limited availability is balanced-out, however, by strong financial ratings. Robust customer service helps iron out the wrinkles when it comes to overall ratings, and Cigna scores a four overall because of its strength in these other areas as well.

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