Cigna Medicare Supplement Review
Cigna Medicare Supplement coverage is widely available, and the company offers a few interesting perks. Cigna's rates are higher than many of its competitors, though, and its customer service ratings are low. Cigna sells the three most popular Medicare Supplement plans — F, G and N — as well as Plan A and high-deductible versions of Plans F and G.
Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap plans, are standardized, which means coverage doesn't vary between companies. Because of Cigna's high rates and low service ratings, it might not offer the best value for Medigap plans.
Cigna Medicare Supplement insurance: Our thoughts
We don't recommend Cigna for Medicare Supplement coverage because of its poor service ratings and usually high rates.
Cigna offers fewer Medigap plan options than some competitors, and its rates are higher than other large companies. Cigna also has below-average customer service ratings and more complaints for its Medigap plans than other companies. If you want plans other than A, F, G or N, lower rates or an overall positive customer experience, Cigna is not a good option for you.
Cigna Medicare Supplement cost
Cigna doesn't have cheap Medicare Supplement policies unless you choose a high-deductible plan.
Compared to some of the largest health insurance companies that sell Medicare Supplement policies, Cigna's average rates are high.
However, Cigna does sell cheap Plan N policies. If you're shopping for Plan N, Cigna could be a good option based on your budget, but remember to consider added benefits and customer service rates as you shop.
Find Cheap Medicare Plans in Your Area
Cigna could be a good choice for a cheap Medicare Supplement plan if you're shopping specifically for a high-deductible plan after comparing Medigap coverage options. Cigna's High Deductible Plan F, which costs $53 per month, is cheaper than its largest competitors. High Deductible Plan G also has a competitive price, at $48 per month.
Average monthly cost of Cigna Medigap plans
Medigap Plan | Monthly Cost |
---|---|
High Deductible G | $48 |
High Deductible F | $53 |
Plan N | $112 |
Plan G | $154 |
Plan A | $157 |
Plan F | $191 |
Remember that each Medicare Supplement plan's coverage is the same regardless of the company you choose. Because Cigna's rates are higher than many of its competitors, you might get a better value elsewhere.
Cigna Medicare Supplement plan options
Cigna sells Medicare Supplement Plans A, F, G and N, as well as high-deductible versions of Plans F and G.
Some states may have other plan options. For example, Plan B is offered in Pennsylvania. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, Cigna offers specialized policies that follow state-specific Medigap requirements.
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized across companies, which means your coverage will be the same no matter where you buy your policy. The main difference between Medigap insurance companies is usually the price for each plan and any added benefits the company offers.
- Cigna Medicare Supplement Plan A includes minimum coverage at lower rates compared to other Medigap plans.
- Cigna Medicare Supplement Plan F offers the most coverage. You can only purchase Plan F if you were eligible for Medicare prior to 2020.
- Cigna Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan F includes the same coverage as Plan F with a lower rate. However, it's also not available unless you were eligible for Medicare prior to 2020. Coverage begins after you meet a $2,700 deductible for 2023.
- Cigna Medicare Supplement Plan G includes the most coverage with a lower price and is a popular choice.
- Cigna Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan G has the same coverage as Plan G but comes with a $2,700 deductible in 2023.
- Cigna Medicare Supplement Plan N offers a lower monthly rate than Plan G but has less coverage.
Standard benefits included in Plans A, F, G and N
Plan A | Plan F | Plan G | Plan N | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Part A coinsurance | ||||
Part B coinsurance | ||||
Blood (3 pints) | ||||
Part A hospice care | ||||
Skilled nursing facility | ||||
Part A deductible | ||||
Part B deductible | ||||
Part B excess charges | ||||
Foreign travel emergency | 80% | 80% | 80% |
Cigna Medigap options in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Minnesota and Wisconsin have developed their own Medicare Supplement plans, which are structured differently than Medigap plans in other states. Cigna sells four plans in Minnesota and only one plan in Wisconsin.
Minnesota requires companies to use "community rating," which means your rates won't be affected by your age or gender. Wisconsin allows insurance companies to choose how they rate Medigap plans. Cigna sets your rate based on your current age and can change it as you get older, which is called attained age rating.
Cigna Medigap availability
Cigna Medicare Supplement insurance plans are available in 48 states and Washington, D.C. Coverage is not available in Massachusetts or New York. Additionally, shoppers in Oregon have to call Cigna for a quote rather than getting a quote online.
Plans A, F, G and N are available in all 48 states where Cigna policies are sold.
High Deductible Plan F is offered in 20 states.
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
High Deductible Plan G is available in nine states.
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Wyoming
Remember that Minnesota and Wisconsin sell their own plans tailored to the laws in those states. The plan names in these states may not always match up with the plan names used in other states.
It's important to note that insurance companies can change their Medicare Supplement offerings at any time, so Cigna's coverage area may change.
In the 48 states where Cigna Medicare Supplement plans are available, Cigna offers Medigap to those on Medicare due to disability in 23 states.
While federal law generally doesn't require it, some states require that companies offer Medigap to a person who is under 65 and has Medicare due to disability or permanent kidney failure. Check with your state insurance department about what rights you might have under state law.
If you have a preexisting health condition, your Cigna Medigap policy may limit coverage for a period of time. This is called a "preexisting conditions clause."
In 46 of the 48 states where Cigna sells Medigap coverage, its policies include a preexisting conditions clause.
In most of those 46 states, Cigna's preexisting conditions period is six months. This means that if you have a health problem before you buy your Medigap policy, Cigna won't pay for costs associated with that condition for the first six months of your policy. In a few states, Cigna's preexisting conditions period is three months. The only two states that do not have a preexisting conditions clause are Minnesota and Montana.
Member resources and unique benefits
Cigna offers a few perks to its Medicare Supplement customers, but other companies offer more benefits.
- Cigna Healthy Rewards program: With this perk, you may qualify for discounts on health purchases like hearing exams and aids, weight management programs and chiropractic appointments.
- Health information line: If you have questions about your health, Cigna's health line can be reached 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The health line representatives hold a nursing license in at least one state, but are not practicing nurses.
You might also be able to lower your Cigna Medicare Supplement rate with discounts. Applying for a policy online can result in up to a 5% discount, and up to an additional 20% may be discounted from your rate depending on the state you live in.
Reviews and customer complaints
Cigna has poor customer service reviews for its Medicare Supplement policies.
In complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau, Cigna members have reported concerns with customer service, including long hold times and other delays. We also found reports of difficulty getting claims approved or paid, sometimes requiring extensive follow-up with the company.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reports that it receives 27% more complaints about Cigna Medicare Supplement policies than it does for other companies. The Complaint Index for Cigna Medicare Supplement insurance is 1.27, which is above average.
Alternatives to Cigna Medicare Supplement
Frequently asked questions
Is Cigna insurance good for Medicare Supplement plans?
Cigna's Medigap policies offer the same coverage as those from other companies because coverage is standardized across the industry. However, Cigna's average rates are high, and customers report issues with the company's service.
Does Cigna pay the Medicare deductible?
It depends on the plan you buy. Plans F, G and N cover the Medicare Part A deductible, but Plan A doesn't. Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible. Remember, though, that Plan F is only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020.
How does a Cigna high-deductible plan work?
With a high-deductible plan in 2023, you pay the first $2,700 in deductibles, copays and coinsurance that Medicare doesn't cover. A separate annual deductible of $250 applies to foreign travel emergency services. After the deductible is met, your Medicare Supplement policy will start to pay.
Sources and methodology
Medicare Supplement costs are based on rate data for all private insurance companies. Average rates are for a 65-year-old nonsmoking female and represent costs at open enrollment with preferred or guaranteed-issue status and no medical underwriting.
Cigna's Medicare Supplement products are underwritten by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, American Retirement Life Insurance Company, Loyal American Life Insurance Company or Cigna National Health Insurance Company. Sources include the Better Business Bureau, Cigna, Medicare.gov and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
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