Cigna Medicare Supplement Company Review

Cigna Medicare Supplement – Who is Cigna?

About the Company

Cigna is a health Insurance company, an American giant at that one, that provides an array of health products and services to individuals, families, and businesses. These products include health, dental, and pharmacy insurance, Cigna supplemental insurance, and Cigna Medicare plans.

Cigna has cultivated more than 95 million customer relationships worldwide as a global company. With 40,000 employees, they can maintain a high level of customer service. It is considered an A-rated carrier and has earned an “Excellent” review from Consumers Advocate.

Cigna traces its roots back more than 200 years. The company we know as Cigna originated in 1982 with the INA Corporation and the Connecticut General Corporation merger.

INA was formed in Philadelphia in November of 1792 in the same building where the Declaration of Independence had been signed 16 years prior. They also have the distinction of being the oldest insurance stock company in the U.S. Connecticut General was incorporated in 1865, right after the Civil War.

Here’s what Consumers Advocate had to say:

“With a robust financial record, a worldwide network of physicians, and substantial customer service support, Cigna should be a part of anyone’s research for the right Medicare Supplement Insurance plan.” 2

🚨BREAKING NEWS: HCSC Acquires Cigna in Major Healthcare

The healthcare industry is buzzing with the recent news of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) taking over Cigna. This significant acquisition has far-reaching implications for policyholders, employees, and the healthcare market as a whole.

The Cigna Group has announced an agreement to sell its Medicare Advantage, Cigna Supplemental Benefits, and Medicare Part D businesses to the Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC). Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) recently made a big decision to buy Cigna, a major health insurance company. This means HCSC will now be even bigger in the health insurance world. By buying Cigna, HCSC aims to provide a wider range of healthcare options and choices to people across the country. This could mean more doctors and hospitals to choose from, and maybe even new ways to stay healthy. It’s a big change that might help a lot of people get the healthcare they need.

Cigna Subsidiaries and Offered Plans

Some notable companies operate as subsidiaries of the giant insurance company Cigna, from which you can purchase your Medicare supplemental plan. These include Loyal American Life Insurance (LOYAL), Cigna Health and Life and Retirement (CHLIC), American Retirement Life Insurance Company (ARLIC), and Cigna National Health Insurance Company (CNHIC). Cigna offers Medicare Supplement Plans A, F, G, and N. Depending on the availability in your state, Cigna plan rates may differ for LOYAL, CHLIC, and ARLIC.

Medicare Supplement Plans are offered by Cigna

The most popular Medicare supplement plans offered by Cigna are Medicare Supplement Plan F, Medicare Supplement Plan G, and Medicare Supplement Plan N.

Each plan offers unique benefits and coverage. We’ll compare the three below to give you a sense of where the plans differ and how they can meet your different healthcare needs.

Medicare Supplement Plan F

Medicare Supplement Plan F covers all that Medicare does not. This includes helping to pay Medicare deductibles and the 20% coinsurance for Medicare services. Plan F covers both Part A and Part B deductibles.

Medicare Plan F accounts for the majority of all active Medicare Supplement policies. It is also the most expensive Medicare supplement plan. Even with increasing rates in Plan F, many retirees feel it’s worth the investment because of the broad coverage. We suggest comparing it to Plan G to determine overall savings since the only difference is the Part B deductible coverage.

The government phased out Plan F on January 1, 2020. However, you can still purchase Medicare Supplement Plan F if you were born before January 1, 1955, or if you are currently on the plan, you will be grandfathered in.

Medicare Supplement Plan G

Medicare Supplement Plan G is nearly identical to Medicare Plan F’s comprehensive coverage, except for one major difference: it does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. However, Plan G may make up for this in other ways.

For example, you may end up saving more by paying for the Medicare Part B deductible due to Plan G’s lower premium while also taking into account that Plan G tends to have lesser rate increases than Medicare Supplement Plan F.

We can provide quotes for both Medicare Supplement Plans F & G. If the savings is much greater than the potential deductible, then going with Medicare Plan G will help you keep healthcare dollars in your pocket.

Medicare Supplement Plan N

Plan N is the newest and most affordable supplement plan. Cigna Medigap Plan N coverage is similar to Plan G; however, it has copays. With Plan N, you are responsible for co-payments of up to $20 when visiting the doctor’s office and up to $50 for the emergency room.

Additionally, Plan N does not cover the Part B deductible. However, due to the potential need to pay for more out-of-pocket health expenses, this plan will lower the monthly premium.

Again, like Plan G, it is worth getting a quote for Plan N. The savings may be substantial, and if you are a healthy individual with little medical costs, Medicare Supplement Policy N could be a wise financial decision.

State Availability of Cigna’s Medicare Supplement Policy

Except for New York and Massachusetts, 48 of the 50 states provide Cigna Medicare Supplement insurance products.

While it’s not normally required by federal law, several states require businesses to provide Medigap to Medicare beneficiaries who have it because of a disability or chronic renal failure. Find out what rights you are entitled to under state law by contacting the insurance department in your state or a trusted insurance agent.

Preexisting conditions clauses prevail on its policies in 46 of the 48 states where Cigna sells Medigap insurance. Preexisting conditions are certain medical problems prior to the date of your application. It means that IF you are subject to underwriting and are approved, Medicare supplement plans can subject you to a waiting period for certain pre-existing conditions. Medicare as your primary will stay cover you during the waiting period, but your secondary legally can contest coverage during the waiting period.

Note: The Pre-existing clause is not just particular to Cigna; it holds true for all Medicare Supplement plans, regardless of the provider.

The preexisting time period for Cigna is six months in the majority of those 46 states. This means that if a health issue were diagnosed or addressed within the previous six months of the start of your Cigna insurance, Cigna would not cover it. The preexisting conditions window for Cigna is three months period in a few states.

Cigna Pricing for Medicare Supplement Insurance

Rates can vary based on the company you choose and where you live. We have provided illustrative rates, and you might find your location cheaper or more expensive.

The below rates were generated from ZIP code 73008 in Bethany, OK, for females aged 65. Rates vary based on ZIP code, gender, age, and, in some areas, health.

• Plan A: $104.09
• Plan F: $128.81
• Plan G: $103.55
• Plan N: $87.96

This rate is for illustrative purposes and is subject to change.

It’s important to remember that all Medicare supplements are federally standardized. Meaning they must cover the same benefits. This makes shopping around a critical step in the Medicare supplement decision process. Be sure to check out the other important factors that should be driving your Medicare supplement decision.

Benefits of Choosing a Medicare Supplemental Policy

Finding the right Medicare Supplemental plan can offer you not only peace of mind but significant reductions in out-of-pocket health costs not covered by Medicare.

Some noteworthy aspects of Cigna differentiate it from other Medicare supplement providers. For starters, Cigna offers excellent coverage and service at competitive rates with plans that cover you nationwide. You can also enroll in Cigna’s Health Rewards to take advantage of the following discounts:

• Gym Memberships
• Yoga Equipment
• Vitamins and other Health Products
• Chiropractic Work and Massage
• Organic Food Discounts

Additionally, Cigna offers discounts for vision and hearing care, such as eyewear and vision exams, Lasik vision correction, hearing aids and exams, and hearing protection devices. All are subject to the plan chosen and state availability.

Medicare does not cover dental, vision, and hearing. Medicare is your primary insurance, which means that it approves the claims that the secondary insurance will also cover. It also means that if Medicare does not cover the claim, neither will your secondary insurance. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan then you are replacing Medicare as your primary insurance and you have no secondary insurance. For more information on the differences between the Medicare supplement vs Medicare Advantage plan visit here: Differences between Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage

In order to keep Medicare as your primary and have your secondary approve the remaining amount of your health insurance claims yet still find a plan that covers dental, vision, and hearing, visit Cigna’s quote and self-enrollment tool here: Cigna Dental, Vision, and Hearing Self Enrollment Tool

Medicare supplement policies do not require in-network doctors and will work with any provider that accepts Medicare.

We also find that many of our customers like Cigna because of its ease of use and customer experience.

They have the following benefits:

• Easy-to-use Customer Portal
• Electronic Application via the Agent Portal Website
• Quick Policy approval in just 1 to 3 days
• Access to their highly-rated Health Information Line, a 24/7 phone service staffed by real nurses
• 12-month lock-in rate, no increases in the first year
• Access to 880,000 healthcare providers around the U.S.
• Household Discounts
• Guaranteed renewable plans that cannot be canceled due to health conditions
• A U.S-based Customer Service Team
• No referral requirements to see a medical specialist
• Foreign Medical Coverage

Rating organizations continue to agree that Cigna Medicare plans continue to rate highly in a wide variety of customer satisfaction surveys. Cigna ranks so high that they continue to invest in technology that provides a superior customer experience. Their health lines and customer service teams also contribute to their high ranking. These features make it easy for us to recommend Cigna more often to our clients.

Which Medigap Plan is Perfect for me?

With so many options available for Cigna’s Medicare supplement, it’s probable to get confused as to what suits your particular needs.

• If you seek just a little insurance beyond the Original Medicare, then Medigap Plan A is what you’re looking at. We don’t recommend Medigap Plan A since the offered coverage is not as sufficient, and there isn’t a healthy enrollment each year to stabilize the rate. Beyond the basic coverage of Part A and B, the extra hospital expense, hospice care, and medical costs are taken care of with Medigap plans, such as, Plan G and N.

• If you’re a frequent traveler and need foreign emergency insurance, Plans N, F, G, and High-deductible F & G are equipped with resources to cover foreign travel emergencies. The secondary insurance covers 80% of the emergency travel after a $250 calendar year deductible. Medicare does not pay anything.

• Cigna has a competitive Plan N that offers a lower premium than a lot of other Medicare supplement plans. The tradeoff to Plan N is that it doesn’t cover copayments up to $50 for emergency department visits and $20 for doctor’s appointments. Also, in most states, it doesn’t cover Part B excess charges. Compared to Medigap Plans G & N, Plan N has more affordable rates.

• High Deductible Plan offers the same coverage as its Medicare Supplement Plan. It is the ideal plan when all you want is catastrophic coverage. The high deductible plans have the same coverage as standard Plans F and G, but the premium is much cheaper since you are adopting a deductible before your coverage kicks in. For more information read our article on High Deductible Plan G.

• If you want the broadest possible coverage, Plan F covers the Medicare Part B (medical) calendar year deductible. In contrast, most other standardized plans do not, making it the plan with the lowest out-of-pocket expenses for treatments covered by Medicare. However, please note that Plan F was discontinued for newly eligible Medicare recipients and is only available to those grandfathered in. Now Plan G offers the broadest coverage for newly eligible Medicare recipients. It is exactly the same as Plan F but does not cover the Part B deductible.

Added Value Service Available

Cigna Healthcare now offers a helpful service called Supportiv for Medicare Supplement customers. Supportiv is available 24/7 and provides peer-to-peer support through small group chats led by a trained facilitator. This service can assist seniors dealing with mental health, emotional, or social challenges by connecting them with others facing similar experiences. Availability may vary by state.

You don’t have to pay extra for Supportive. It’s a helpful service that comes with your Cigna Healthcare Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan at no additional cost.

Who is Supportiv?

Supportiv is a mental health support service that provides seniors with 24/7/365 peer-to-peer assistance. It offers small group chats where users can speak to others who are experiencing similar emotional, mental, or social struggles. The conversations are moderated by a professional facilitator who guides and safeguards the discussion in real-time.

Cigna Healthcare has partnered with Supportiv to provide their services to you, but this program is not a guaranteed benefit included in your insurance policy. Accessing this service may not be possible if you choose to opt out of marketing communications or if restricted by law.

How does it Work?

Supportiv is a platform that connects people with others who are going through similar struggles. In less than a minute, Supportiv matches you with someone who can relate and discuss ways to cope, problem-solve, and heal together. You can chat anonymously about any topic you like, and a trained moderator guides the conversation to ensure safety and keep the conversation on track.

As you chat and express what you’re going through, the platform provides you with personalized resources such as articles, videos and worksheets that are useful for coping with, problem solving, and healing from your struggle.

All users remain 100% anonymous on this platform. You will never be asked to provide personal information like your name, identification number, work location, credit card details, or any other contact information. There is no need to register with any identifying information at all. You get to decide your own display name, which can be anything you want. This means that your real identity is only known to you.

If any participant in the chat becomes too dominant, judgmental, or starts ignoring the chat rules for peaceful participation, the Supportiv moderator is always available to mute or remove them as needed to ensure that the chat remains supportive and inclusive for all participants.

Availability by State and Charter for Cigna’s Medicare Supplement Supportiv Value

Upon writing this article, there are 11 states that this, New Mental Health Support Value – added Service, is available. Not all states offered this added service. Here are the list of states where this is offered:

• AZ (CHLIC & CNHIC)
• CA (LOYAL)
• FL (ARLIC, CHLIC, CNHIC8*)
• IN (ARLIC, CHLIC, CNHIC, CIC*)
• KY (ARLIC, CHLIC, CNHIC)
• MO (CHLIC)
• NC (ARLIC, CHLIC, CNHIC)
• NJ (CHLIC)
• OH (ARLIC, CHLIC, CNHIC)
• PA (ARLIC, CHLIC, CNHIC, CIC*)
• WA (CHLIC)

Existing members will be notified via email and direct mail with a unique URL and/or QR code to access Supportiv. The initial notice will be sent in early October.

New members will receive an email and direct mail with a unique URL or QR code to access Supportiv after receiving their Welcome Kits.

Note: The member’s access to Supportiv is facilitated via a unique URL and/or QR code. Accessing Supportiv’s public website will not grant members access to the site at no cost.

Third-Party Ratings

A.M. Best 

A.M. Best, a highly acknowledged financial rating platform in the insurance industry, has thoroughly reviewed Cigna’s subsidiaries. It is indeed a relief for Cigna supporters or those seeking to join the Cigna family that the most accredited rating platform has upgraded Cigna’s Financial Strength rating from A- to an A(excellent). The rating reflects that AM Best deems  Cigna’s operational performance to be adequate for Cigna Health Springs which offers Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan policies.

NCQA

Another one of the top agencies for accrediting national health insurance plans is the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

Medicare plans offered by Cigna had scores ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 out of 5.0 in 2021.

These composite scores contain indicators of client satisfaction, such as how satisfied the client is with their ability to access necessary medical treatment, how satisfied they are with their doctors, and how satisfied they are with their health plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope we have addressed most of your questions about Cigna, but we often get questions when discussing with our customers.

What is a copay?

• Copays protect healthcare costs by preventing people from abusing frequent doctor visits. A copay is a fee you pay to a health provider, such as a doctor. Usually, these fees are small; $ 10 – $25 is the norm. You may have paid these on doctor visits depending on your health insurance before Medicare. The payments will not reduce your deductible calculation.

What is coinsurance?

• Coinsurance is the percentage you are responsible for paying after the insurance pays its portion. A typical coinsurance percentage is 20 percent. The rate can vary based on the service you receive. Emergency services sometimes have higher percentages than family doctor visits.

What is a deductible?

• A deductible is the amount of money you must pay before insurance pays for any services. Deductibles protect the health care system. They keep patients vigilant with billing and keep the system from being clogged by people visiting doctors and emergency rooms for frivolous reasons.

Does Cigna offer a Medigap policy?

• Yes. A Medigap policy is another word for a Medicare Supplement plan because it fills the gap left by traditional Medicare coverage. It is not a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D extension.

The Bottom Line

We’ve had an excellent track record offering Cigna Health Insurance Company as one of our insurance carriers. We know that Cigna offers people great value in their plans and reliable choices that meet the needs of different individuals. We confidently recommend Cigna plans and retirement life insurance policies from the customer reviews we’ve received and the strong reputation Cigna has built. We assist you every step of the way through your enrollment process.

We love connecting people with the right insurance plans and the perfect health insurance company. It is free to work with us!

Learn more about the Cigna Supplement Insurance Plans by connecting directly with one of our trusted agents.

Prefer to chat by phone? Give us a call at 1-888-559-0103.