We picked out a few more recommendations worth considering:
If you’re inching closer to retirement, then one of your biggest concerns is managing future health-care expenses. Perhaps you have already enrolled in an Original Medicare plan (Part A and B), but this isn’t likely to give you complete coverage. Therefore, it’s time to look in the direction of Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap for short.
Cigna’s Medigap does a really good job of taking care of parts of your bill that are not covered by your Medicare Part A (hospital care) and Part B (medical care). The best part of Cigna is that their Medigap plan premiums start as low as $45.91 per month.
FYI: New to the world of Medicare supplemental insurance? Check out my comprehensive Medigap guide to learn more about this type of insurance and how it works.
Formed in 1982, Cigna is a global health service company headquartered in Connecticut. Well-known as a reliable provider of insurance, Cigna has health-care plans relating to general health, pharmacy, dental, Medigap, and Medicare. With Cigna, you are certain to receive competitive rates on the plan premiums. They also have a well-trained call center team to guide you through any insurance-related queries.
Depending on your health-care needs, your budget, and your place of residence, Cigna offers several different Medigap plans. Here are their plans and some of the benefits:
Did You Know: Plans F, G, N, and A cover costs of foreign travel emergencies up to the plan limit.
The monthly premium of Cigna’s Medicare supplement plan varies based on the specific plan, your age, location, and other health factors. An indicative price range for Cigna’s Medigap plans would be between $45.91 and $169.59 per month. In certain states, if any member of your household also holds a Cigna Medicare supplement insurance policy, you get up to 7 percent off on your premium. Meanwhile, applying online ensures that you save 5 percent on the premium.
Here is a breakdown of the Medigap options offered by Cigna:
| Plan A | Plan F | High-Deductible Plan F | Plan G | Plan N | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal For | Those who just want a little extra coverage beyond their Original Medicare. | People who have high health-care costs that justify the need for this plan with a high premium. | Those who have very few health issues and don’t expect to use the policy much. | Older adults who are comfortable paying some amount for doctor’s visits and preventive medicine, but want inpatient procedures to be covered by insurance. | Seniors who are looking for a budget-friendly plan and are comfortable with copayments. |
| Monthly Premium** | $130.54 | $169.59 | $45.91 | $130.57 | $106.98 |
| High Deductible | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Medicare Part A (Deductible) | No | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Medicare Part A (Coinsurance and Coverage for Hospital Benefits) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Care (Coinsurance) | No | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Hospice Care (Coinsurance or Copayment) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Medicare Part B (Deductible) | No | 100% | 100% | No | No |
| Medicare Part B (Coinsurance or Copayment) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | Copay applies |
| Medicare Part B (Excess Charges) | No | 100% | 100% | 100% | No |
| Foreign Travel Emergency | No | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
**These prices are based on the quote requested from Cigna on behalf of an Ohio-based 65-year-old woman who is a nonsmoker.
If you purchase any of these plans from Cigna, you can also get discounts on items, including vitamins, vision care, hearing care, health clubs, alternative medicine, and weight management. Cigna also offers 24/7 access to trained nurses who can answer all your health and policy concerns. Let’s take a closer look at these perks.
Remember: If you are newly eligible for Medicare, on or after January 2020, you will not be able to apply for Plans C, F, and high-deductible F.
For most people, keeping track of Medicare supplement ID cards, claims, and account balances can get quite tricky. This is why the myCigna mobile app can be just what the doctor ordered! You can use the app as a handy reference to check your Medigap plan coverage details and even research and compare costs of health procedures, doctors’ consultations, and drugs from different providers. It also acts as a vault to store your digital Medigap ID, health information, and contacts.
Cigna members can obtain discounted rates on services such as acupuncture, vision correction surgery, and even yoga classes. Members also get access to their Silver&Fit program for discounted gym memberships and home fitness programs.
Cigna members get access to a health-care hotline, where a trained nurse can answer questions relating to your coverage or personal health needs 24 hours a day.
To start the process of enrolling with Cigna Medigap, I’d recommend checking out their free quote generator on their website. After entering some personal information (age, sex, zip code, and tobacco use), you’ll be provided with an estimate for each of Cigna’s different Medigap policies.
I had a few questions related to Medicare Part B calendar-year deductible with Plan F, so I quickly called up their customer care team. They were really helpful, and as it turns out, Plan F is one of the only plans that covers this specific deductible. That sealed the deal for me. So, I completed the rest of the application process, which included a full health disclosure and payment.
The whole process took about 15 minutes, and it’s surprisingly easy and intuitive. Still, for those older adults who prefer good old-fashioned, one-on-one sales interactions, it might be best to apply for the plans by calling Cigna’s customer care team.
The benefits of each Medigap plan are set by the government and standardized across all private insurance providers. So, if you are thinking of choosing one provider over the other, your selection will be based on the premium and the perks rather than the basic benefits. Be sure to compare the same plan across different private insurers before making your decision. I have listed below some of the top providers who offer a range of Medigap plans:
Pro Tip: To learn more about these Medigap providers, check out my rundown of this year’s best Medigap insurers.
With Cigna, if you are looking for the lowest premium, then go for the HDF plan, which will result in a higher deductible cost and costly out-of-pocket medical expenses. On the other hand, if you want absolute peace of mind, choose Plan F that covers all health-care costs, including Medicare Part B deductibles.
Before making a decision, however, try to predict if you will need more medical care beyond preventive measures. If so, go with the traditional plans such as Plans F, A, and G, instead of the high-deductible plans.
Each policy is specific to an individual. If both spouses would like to be covered by Medigap, then you need to invest in two separate policies. The good news is that having a Cigna Medigap policyholder in your household automatically qualifies you for a 7 percent discount in some states.
Every Medigap policy lets you renew the plan, as long as you regularly pay the premium and have not misrepresented information. The insurer cannot cancel the plan, even if you have a new or worsening medical condition.
The month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B, the six-month open enrollment period starts. In case you are still covered by a group health insurance through an employer or union, then the minute you retire and your Part B becomes effective, your open enrollment period begins.
Typically federal law does not allow for switching between Medigap plans unless you are under the six-month open enrollment period or other special circumstances.
You must subscribe to Medicare Parts A and B in order to become eligible for Medigap.
