Cigna is one of the major players in the health insurance market, with almost 40 years in the business. Now a Fortune 500 company, it ranked as one of the fastest-growing companies of 2020.1 That status allows for a more robust platform than smaller companies, with perks such as a Healthy Rewards Program offering lifestyle discounts and easy access to health advocates and online resources.
Despite their size, if Cigna offers Medigap coverage in your state, you'll find a maximum of five of the 10 Medicare Supplement policies available. Also, note that while the quote process on Cigna's website is not as streamlined and easy to navigate as other insurers' sites, the household and online enrollment discounts make it worth your while to research Cigna's policies. Read on as we get into all the details of Cigna's Medigap plans.
Let's take a look at the Medigap plans Cigna offers and their benefits.
Note: Plans F and the High Deductible Plan F are only available for purchase by applicants who were first eligible for Medicare before 2020.
| Plans | Benefits |
|---|---|
| G, N, F, and High Deductible Plan F | Medicare Part A deductible |
| A, G, N, F, and High Deductible Plan F | Medicare Part A coinsurance and coverage for hospital benefits |
| G, N, F, and High Deductible Plan F | Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance |
| A, G, N, F, and High Deductible Plan F | Hospice care coinsurance or copayment |
| A, G, N, F, and High Deductible Plan F | Blood (first 3 pints) |
| F and High Deductible Plan F | Medicare Part B deductible |
| A, G, N (copays apply*), F, and High Deductible Plan F | Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment |
| G, F, and High-Deductible Plan F | Medicare Part B excess charges |
| G, N, F, and High Deductible Plan F | Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) |
| A, G, N, F, and High Deductible Plan F | Additional programs and savings offered by Cigna |
*Plan N covers 100 percent of the Part B coinsurance, excluding a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and a $50 copayment for emergency room visits that don't result in an in-patient admission.
Below are some of the most common concerns and priorities to help you decide which plan works best for you.
Medigap Plan A, the Medigap plan with the lowest level of coverage, will pay for some of the basic costs not covered by Original Medicare. With Plan A, you'll still pay your Medigap Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) deductibles. Medigap Plan A will then cover the remaining costs for both hospital and medical expenses, including copays and coinsurance associated with hospice care.
Quick Tip: Medicare Supplement insurance plans A, F, and G provide benefits at higher premiums with limited out-of-pocket costs. Plan N is a cost-sharing plan offering similar benefits at lower premiums with greater out-of-pocket costs.
Plans N, G, F, and High Deductible F cover foreign travel emergencies. They cover 80 percent of medically necessary emergency care received outside of the U.S., as long as the care started during the first 60 days of your trip. There is also a $250 deductible each year, and this coverage can't exceed the lifetime maximum of $50,000.
Plan N offers lower premiums than some of the other Medigap plans. With this plan, you'll be responsible for copayments up to $20 for doctor's office visits or up to $50 for emergency room visits. You'll also be responsible for any excess costs the doctor may charge for services above what Medicare covers.
Plan F boasts the lowest out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services, as it pays the Medicare Part B (medical) calendar year deductible, which most other standardized plans do not.
Quick Tip: If you're new to the world of Medigap, visit our complete Medigap guide to learn more about this type of insurance, who it's best for, how to choose a plan, and more.
High Deductible Plan F has the same coverage as Plan F but with a much lower monthly premium. Coverage kicks in only after you pay the (higher) calendar year deductible of Medicare Part B.
Plan G and Plan F provide the highest levels of coverage. Plan G provides nearly the same level of coverage as Plan F, which offers the most coverage with zero out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services. However, you'll need to pay the Medicare Part B (medical) annual deductible before Plan G kicks in.
The cost of your Cigna plan will vary based on several factors, including your age, location, and sex. In the chart below, we've included an approximate range based on our research. Just remember, your rates may be higher or lower than our estimates based on your particular circumstances.
Pro Tip: Buying online can save you 5 percent for the life of your policy. This discount is only available in certain states and only applies if you are a new Cigna supplement policyholder. The application must be done solely online, and spouses qualify for the same discount if they are added to the policy at the time you apply.
To help with plan costs, Cigna offers a 7 percent household premium discount, which is an excellent option for spouses or family members. Cigna's household discount is average for the industry, as some go as low as 5 percent and others as high as 14 percent. If you're looking for a larger household discount, consider other providers we've reviewed, like Americo, that offer a 10 percent family discount. This discount is not available in Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, and Vermont. For residents of Washington, the discount only applies to spouses.
| Plan | Monthly premium price range (depending on age, state, sex, and if you smoke) |
|---|---|
| A | Approx. $113.39 – $302.43 per month |
| F | Approx. $234.81 – $368.48 per month |
| F High Deductible | Approx. $48.29 – $81.99 per month |
| G | Approx. $105.52 – $261.24 per month |
| N | Approx. $82.83 – $223.35 per month |
As noted above, a discount is available if you complete the entire application and submission online. If you need help and/or prefer to work with an agent, agents are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET.
Did You Know: Cigna made our list of the best Medigap providers in 2021.
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Bonus: Cigna's Healthy Aging online content offers health and wellness advice for policyholders.
All in all, Cigna is a reputable Medigap provider offering a variety of extra perks and features. We're big fans of their household and online enrollment discounts, Healthy Rewards Program, and other health and wellness content. One drawback is that Cigna only offers four of the 10 standard Medigap plans, so you won't have as many choices as you would with other providers we’ve reviewed, like Humana or Aetna. However, the plans they offer tend to be among the most popular. If you find that the price is right in your location, and the company provides the plan that fits your needs, Cigna remains an excellent pick for your Medigap policy.
Your policy can be renewed for life, as Cigna states: “Your policy cannot be terminated for any reason other than nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation in the insurance application.”
You can choose a Medicare Supplement plan from a different company at any time after your open enrollment period. As the government controls what benefits each Medicare Supplement plan offers, you can change companies and still keep the same plan. But be careful about the timing of your switch to avoid late enrollment penalties that apply under certain conditions.2
To buy a Medicare Supplement plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part B, living in the state where the policy is offered, and be age 65 or older. Medicare Supplement plans are also available to you if you’re younger than age 65 and eligible for Medicare due to disability.
The Medicare Supplement open enrollment period starts on the first day of the first month in which you’re age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. In some states, you may buy a plan on the first day you’re enrolled in Medicare Part B, even if you’re not yet 65. There may be additional guaranteed issue enrollment periods in your state.
Fortune. (2020). 100 Fastest-Growing Companies.
Medicare.gov. (2021). What’s Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?
