NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cigna Corporation, a global health service company, is rapidly expanding its Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to make it easier for more customers to access affordable, predictable and simple health care.
During the 2021 Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), beginning October 15, customers will be offered comprehensive, highly-rated, affordable MA plans – including a $0 premium plan in every market.
Telehealth services offered to all customers, including behavioral health and physical therapy
To help seniors access care from the safety and comfort of their homes, Cigna is offering telehealth services to all MA customers, including no-cost access to behavioral health providers via audio and video. For the first time, Cigna also is adding virtual physical therapy services to its MA plans. This new feature is an addition to 2021 plans to help customers gain strength and/or recover from less complex procedures at home.
"Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen a significant change in how people want to receive care and these patterns vary based on regions of the country and individual preferences. We're offering our customers more options than ever before, so they can seek affordable, high-quality care in a way that meets their lifestyle – whether that's in-person, over the phone or virtually," said Brian Evanko, president of Cigna's government business. "No matter the setting, our Medicare Advantage plans ensure our valued customers get the proper preventive care, chronic condition management and emotional support they need during these challenging times."
Medicare Advantage provides additional benefits beyond what Medicare traditionally offers. In most of its MA plans for 2021, Cigna includes vision, dental, fitness, and discharge meal benefits along with an allowance on common over-the-counter products, like aspirin, adhesive bandages, and dental care products.
Cigna is also offering benefits associated with social determinants of our customers' health, addressing key factors like transportation and nutrition. In select markets in 2021, the company is adding Healthy Benefits Plus, a new program making it easier for customers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables through a produce card with a monthly allowance of up to $30.
Reaching more communities
In 2021, Cigna will offer plans in 369 counties spanning 23 states, representing a 22 percent increase in our county footprint.
Cigna is expanding to 67 new counties for 2021, including a broad portfolio of HMO and/or PPO plans. In addition to the new county expansion, Cigna is expanding PPO offerings in 154 counties in our existing footprint. PPOs typically offer an out-of-network benefit, while HMO plans generally do not.
Cigna will enter markets in five new states in 2021 with MA plans:
- Ohio (Cleveland area)
- Virginia (Tri-Cities area in the southwest part of the state)
- Oklahoma (Oklahoma City area)
- Utah (Salt Lake City area)
- New Mexico (Albuquerque area)
This expansion builds upon Cigna's 2020 footprint, which currently serves more than 500,000 MA customers across 18 states and the District of Columbia. The 2020 footprint includes Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and the District of Columbia.
Driving better health care outcomes
To accommodate the expansion, Cigna has significantly increased its network, adding more than 25,000 physicians throughout its service territory. Physician collaboration is an important part of the Cigna MA model, with more than 85 percent of its customers cared for by doctors who are in a value-based arrangement. Value-based care increases coordination, emphasizes preventive care and generally results in better health outcomes and greater patient satisfaction. Additionally, Cigna continues to offer a Dual Special Needs Plan in many geographies that coordinates care for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Increased consumer choice
The company offers six standalone Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) for 2021 in all states, including three branded Cigna and three branded Express Scripts, providing cost savings and benefit options for all customer needs.
The Cigna Secure Rx and Express Scripts Medicare – Value plans are collectively qualified for CMS low-income subsidy auto-enrollment in 33 regions in 2021. The Secure and Value plans offer $0 copays (Tier 6) and $1 copays (Tier 1) for medications purchased at preferred pharmacies, and will offer $0 copays (Tier 6) for select insulins at preferred pharmacies.
All six plans have $0 copay options for select medications purchased through preferred mail order.
Additionally, the Cigna Secure-Extra Rx plan and Express Scripts Medicare – Saver and Express Scripts Medicare – Choice plans will participate in the CMS Part D Senior Savings Model, helping Medicare customers manage diabetes with affordable and predictable insulin copays of $35 or less.
Cigna also offers Medicare Supplement plans in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Medicare Supplement insurance helps pay for what Original Medicare doesn't cover, including copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.
Medicare's AEP begins October 15 and continues through December 7. Plans selected during AEP are effective January 1, 2021.
For more details about Cigna's Medicare Advantage plans, please visit www.Cigna.com/Medicare.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation is a global health service company dedicated to improving the health, well-being and peace of mind of those we serve. Cigna delivers choice, predictability, affordability and access to quality care through integrated capabilities and connected, personalized solutions that advance whole person health. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Evernorth companies or their affiliates, Express Scripts companies or their affiliates, and Life Insurance Company of North America. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in over 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 185 million customer relationships around the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
All Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of St. Louis, Inc., HealthSpring Life & Health Insurance Company, Inc., HealthSpring of Florida, Inc., Bravo Health Mid-Atlantic, Inc., and Bravo Health Pennsylvania, Inc. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call 1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711) for more information.The Cigna name, logos, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. Cigna complies with applicable Federal Civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Cigna cumple con las layes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. English: ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711). Spanish: ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711). Chinese: 注意：如果您使用繁體/中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務 請致電1-800-668-3813 (TTY 711). Cigna is contracted with Medicare for PDP plans, HMO and PPO plans in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in Cigna depends on contract renewal. © 2020 Cigna
Media Contact
Doug Bennett Jr.
1 (812) 557-5312
doug.bennett@cigna.com
Y0036_21_91707_M
SOURCE Cigna
