Cigna is one of the leading private insurance companies in the United States, offering a variety of insurance plans and services.
For decades, Cigna has also been a provider of Medicare Advantage plans, providing solutions across the country for people who need something more than standard Medicare coverage. Cigna plans offer coverage for medical care like all plans, and most also include benefits for things like prescriptions, dental care, and wellness programs.
Cigna Medicare Plans Vary by State, Coverage Area
Cigna offers insurance services in multiple states, including Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C plans. Although the plan offerings discussed here are the same or similar everywhere, the details of each specific plan available for purchase will vary.
Typically, however, plans will include total coverage for routine health services, including checkups, diagnostic testing and screenings, vaccines, and other services.
Some plans even include additional services for smoking or alcohol cessation, cancer care management, and other health services.
Access to Provider Networks
Cigna Medicare Advantage solutions offer access to various provider networks, including the option of a traditional HMO or PPO.
There are also alternative networks available like the private fee-for-service model, which allows the insurance company to negotiate costs with the medical provider and can sometimes offer lower premiums than standard Medicare Advantage plans as a result.
An HMO makes you see in-network providers but their services are often more affordable, and if there are premiums, they are lower. You will always need a referral to see a specialist, though.
A PPO is a little more flexible, giving you the chance to see out-of-network providers at an additional cost.
The ultimate in flexibility comes from the private fee-for-service plans, which allows insurance companies to negotiate costs on your behalf and give you lower premiums and better coverage as a result.
Special Needs Medicare Plans
Cigna is one of the providers that offer a specific Medicare SNP, or special needs plan, designed to assist individuals with unique healthcare needs or chronic conditions.
These plans are ideal for things like diabetes management, skilled nursing facility care, and more.
Not all plans are available in all areas, so you will have to shop based on your zip code to see which plans are offered in your state.
Cigna Medicare Advantage Plan Availability
Like many multinational insurance providers, Cigna offers dozens of Medicare Advantage plans for people with a selection that varies based on the location of the individual seeking coverage. You will find a variety of HMO, PPO, and fee-for-service plans that offer varying levels of additional coverage above and beyond what is offered by Original Medicare.
Cigna has recently upgraded its Advantage program to include more services for well care and daily life care, including home meal delivery plans, near-elimination of premiums and copays for most plans, and comprehensive wellness benefits.
Transportation services are also included, and every plan includes all of the required coverage under Medicare Part A and B, along with additional coverage and higher coverage limits for better healthcare solutions.
Cigna also offers a unique Medicare Savings Account plan, which allows you to pay into a savings account that will be used to cover any extraneous expenses that aren’t paid by your Medicare Advantage plan.
For those living on a fixed income, this could be a useful tool to have money on-hand for medical expenses.
Prescription, Dental, and Vision Benefits
All Cigna Medicare Advantage plans include some vision, dental, and prescription coverage as a standard benefit. The level of coverage and types of services included will vary from one plan to the next, but the company does offer them to all enrollees.
Dental care will consist of things like routine cleanings and exams, as well as fillings and extractions, and even dentures in some cases.
Usually, vision care is limited to screenings and corrective lenses. Some plans, however, may also cover things like frames, contact lenses, and other vision-related services that go outside of regular coverage.
There are also health and wellness programs available as part of Cigna plans, including services for things like behavioral health, case management, and the Healthy Rewards program.
How to Choose Your Cigna Medicare Advantage Plan
Medicare Advantage plans from Cigna are diverse. This is typically a good thing because it means that you have more selection from which to choose. However, it also means that you will need to spend more time narrowing down your options.
To help, think about why you sought out additional coverage in the first place. Look at what Original Medicare lacks specifically for you, and then go from there to figure out which missing elements are most important.
Consider whether the Advantage plan requires additional premiums or copayments. If you want to pay a little for better coverage, you can. However, Cigna also has several policies and plans that offer no copayments or additional premiums for coverage, so take advantage of those when you can.
The type of provider network may also impact your decision. Some people aren’t particular, but some people do have a preference as to whether they work with an HMO or PPO for their healthcare needs.
The Bottom Line: Cigna Medicare Advantage Plans 2020
Finding the right insurance coverage is often easier with Medicare Advantage plans than it is with the Original Medicare program.
Combining standard Medicare with supplements can get complicated, and expensive, which is why many people turn to Cigna Medicare Advantage plans that bundle all coverage and costs into a single package for ease of purchase and maintenance.
