Cigna and BCBS offer comprehensive health insurance options; BCBS has a wider geographic reach and a slightly larger provider network. Cigna, on the other hand, excels in Medicare Advantage offerings and international coverage. The best choice between the two will depend on individual or business-specific needs, including location, desired coverage, and budget considerations.
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Both Cigna and BCBS offer a variety of plan types, including HMO, PPO, POS, and EPO options. They also provide specialized plans like CDHP, HDHP, and HSA-compatible plans. Both insurers offer individual, family, and employer-sponsored plans, as well as Medicare and Medicaid options.
Availability: BCBS has a significant advantage in terms of coverage area, offering individual and family plans across all 50 states. Cigna’s individual and family plans are available in only 14 states, though their dental plans are accessible in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.
**Cigna**:
– Offers comprehensive plan choices including HMO, PPO, POS, and EPO.
– Individual plans and robust employer-sponsored options available.
– Medicare Advantage plans widely available, complemented by diverse Medicare Supplement offerings.
– Limited Medicaid presence but strong ACA Marketplace plans.
**BCBS**:
– Broad network of local BCBS affiliates provides varied HMO, PPO, POS, and EPO options.
– Extensive coverage options for individual buyers and employer-sponsored plans.
– Extensive Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement options nationwide.
– Strong presence in Medicaid and ACA Marketplace exchanges.
Both companies use standard tiers (bronze to platinum) to determine costs, with bronze having the highest out-of-pocket costs but lowest premiums, and platinum having the opposite. Specific pricing varies based on individual factors like age and location.
Medicare Advantage: Cigna stands out for offering the highest percentage of $0-premium Medicare Advantage plans and the lowest average monthly premium among major providers
**Cigna**:
– Typically offers competitive monthly premiums with multiple pricing tiers.
– Moderate deductibles, copayments, and clearly outlined out-of-pocket maximums.
– Transparent pricing through comprehensive online tools and customer support.
**BCBS**:
– Competitive premiums, often slightly more affordable in specific regions.
– Deductibles and copayments vary widely across regional affiliates but generally clear and manageable.
– Out-of-pocket maximums are comparable, transparency varies by state affiliate.
BCBS has a slight edge in network size:
BCBS: Approximately 1.7 million providers nationwide
Cigna: About 1.5 million providers globally
BCBS’s BlueCard program allows members to access care across state lines, providing more flexibility. Cigna, while having a smaller network, focuses more on international offerings, which can be beneficial for businesses with a global workforce
**Cigna**:
– Extensive nationwide network, slightly narrower in rural regions.
– Generally requires fewer referrals for specialist visits with PPO/EPO plans.
– Good hospital and provider availability, with robust out-of-network reimbursement options.
**BCBS**:
– Largest overall network coverage with excellent geographic reach, including rural areas.
– Strong specialist accessibility, referral necessity varies by plan.
– Highly reliable availability of hospitals and providers, varying out-of-network coverage depending on affiliates.
Both insurers offer wellness programs and additional benefits:
BCBS: Blue365® program offers discounts on products and services supporting financial health, nutrition, and fitness.
Cigna: Healthy Rewards® program provides discounts on alternative medicine, vitamins, and fitness. Most Cigna plans also include Telehealth services
**Cigna**:
– Robust wellness incentives including fitness discounts, preventive health screenings.
– Extensive chronic disease management programs.
– Advanced telehealth and virtual care availability.
– Comprehensive mental health coverage.
**BCBS**:
– Generous wellness initiatives such as fitness program partnerships and preventive screenings.
– Strong focus on chronic disease management.
– Expanding telehealth and virtual care options.
– Wide-ranging mental health services included across plans.
Cigna has received positive feedback for member experience:
Cigna’s member experience scores are above average.
BCBS received the second-best average NCQA marks among analyzed companies, tied with UnitedHealthcare.
Both companies provide digital platforms and mobile applications for policy management, provider searches, and claims monitoring
**Cigna**:
– Consistently high ratings in customer satisfaction (NCQA, J.D. Power).
– Efficient claims processing, strong digital tools, user-friendly online portals.
– Responsive, highly-rated customer support.
**BCBS**:
– Customer satisfaction varies significantly among regional affiliates, generally rated well.
– Efficient claims handling, though speed and ease may vary regionally.
– Strong digital presence and intuitive online user experiences.
– Generally responsive support, with some regional variations.
**Cigna**:
– Strong financial ratings (A.M. Best: A, Moody’s: A2, S&P: A).
– Solid reputation with stable market presence.
– Low to moderate volume of consumer complaints.
**BCBS**:
– Typically holds very strong financial ratings (A.M. Best: A/A+, Moody’s: Aa3/A1, S&P: AA-).
– Renowned market reputation with extensive historical presence.
– Moderate complaints, varying significantly by state affiliate.
Cigna Medicare Advantage plans are known for their low cost and good member experience scores.
BCBS of Massachusetts’ PPO is the only commercial plan that received 5 out of 5 stars from NCQA among the Blues companies
**Cigna**:
– Generally strong Medicare Advantage ratings (4+ stars).
– Robust extra benefits, including vision, dental, and hearing.
– Comprehensive and widely available Medigap plans.
– Reasonable Medicare cost-sharing terms.
**BCBS**:
– Excellent Medicare Advantage star ratings (frequently 4+ stars).
– Broad supplemental benefit offerings, often expansive vision, dental, and hearing coverage.
– Widely available and highly rated Medigap coverage.
– Competitive cost-sharing options.
Both companies offer options for businesses:
BCBS: Known for comprehensive healthcare plans through PPO, HMO, and EPO networks, with flexibility across state lines.
Cigna: Provides competitive HMO and PPO options, emphasizing wellness programs and preventive care
**Cigna**:
– Flexible small-business options, including fully insured and self-funded plans.
– Extensive employee wellness programs with tailored incentives.
– High customization and flexibility of group health policies.
**BCBS**:
– Strong small-business health solutions are available through local affiliates.
– Offers a broad choice between fully insured and self-funded options.
– Extensive wellness initiatives for employee engagement.
– High customization and group policy flexibility, especially with regional affiliates.
Cigna vs. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) FAQ
What are the main differences in plan availability?
BCBS offers individual and family plans across all 50 states, while Cigna's medical plans are available in only 14 states. However, Cigna dental plans are accessible in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.
How do their provider networks compare?
BCBS has a slightly larger network with approximately 1.7 million providers nationwide, while Cigna has about 1.5 million providers globally. BCBS's BlueCard program allows members to access care across state lines.
Are there differences in plan types offered?
Both Cigna and BCBS offer similar plan types, including HMO, PPO, POS, EPO, and specialized options like CDHP and HDHP. They also provide Medicare and Medicaid options.
How do costs compare between Cigna and BCBS?
Both companies use standard tiers (bronze to platinum) to determine costs. Specific pricing varies based on individual factors like age and location. For Medicare Advantage plans, Cigna often offers lower-cost options.
What additional benefits do they offer?
BCBS offers the Blue365® program with discounts on health-related products and services. Cigna provides the Healthy Rewards® program and often includes Telehealth services with most plans.
How do their customer service ratings compare?
Cigna's member experience scores are above average, while BCBS received the second-best average NCQA marks among analyzed companies.
Are there differences in their approach to wellness programs?
Cigna emphasizes wellness programs and preventive care, which can be advantageous for businesses focused on long-term employee health. BCBS also offers wellness initiatives, but the specifics may vary by region.
How do they compare for international coverage?
Cigna has a stronger focus on international offerings, which can be beneficial for businesses with a global workforce.
What are the differences in their Medicare options?
Both offer Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. Cigna is known for offering a high percentage of $0-premium Medicare Advantage plans.
Blake Nwosu
Owner & Principal Agent
Blake Insurance Group
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Email: [email protected]
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