Medicare Advantage Plans Reach Multiple U.S. States This Week

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans through Cigna are expanding to more customers this week as Medicare open enrollment period is underway through December 7.

During this time frame, plans have reached cities in Western Pennsylvania, Southwest Ohio, Kentucky, Cleveland, New York and South Florida. Some having MA plans for the first time and others experiencing new plan benefits and features.

States like North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia are experiencing MA through Cigna for the first time, also. New metropolitan areas include New York City, New York; Asheville, North Carolina; Cincinnati, Ohio; Corpus Christi, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Richmond, Virginia.

Those benefiting from MA this year can enjoy exsisting Cigna plans, however, markets can now experience $0 premiums. Most Cigna MA customers will pay the same or reduced premiums compared to last year, according to a release by Cigna.

More new or enhanced plan features, which vary by market, include:

• Cigna Healthy Today flex card: Available to all customers, this card bundles benefits and incentives for convenient use at participating retailers. Depending on the plan, the card could include up to $200 in wellness incentives, including a reward for volunteerism, dollars to spend on over-the-counter health-related items, and an allowance for fitness supplies, utilities and groceries.
• Caregiver support program: Available to customers and their caregivers in select markets, this program provides resources and assistance for issues that arise during caregiving, such as stress management support and help with organizing medical records, in order to help ease the strain of managing care.
• Companionship and support program: To help combat loneliness, customers are paired with a partner who can help with daily activities or keep them company. The program was introduced last year and will be more broadly available.
• Part B rebate plans: Cigna has expanded this benefit to about 25% of its MA plans for this year. The rebate, which ranges up to $130, is applied to reducing the customer’s Part B monthly premium. Customers can use these extra dollars for other needs.

Currently, the majority of Cigna MA plans include hearing, vision, dental and fitness benefits, $0 copays for primary care when visiting in-network providers, meal delivery service following a hospital discharge and coverage of some over-the-counter health-related products. Most customers also have a transportation benefit, which provides rides to and from the pharmacy, doctors’ appointments, vaccination clinics and cooling or warming centers.

MA customers can also access care through a 24-hour nurse help line, $0 copay virtual healthcare for medical, behavioral health and physical therapy needs at in-network providers, home delivery of maintenance medications and over-the-counter supplies, and the MyCigna app.

Additionally, Cigna continues to offer Medicare Supplement options in 48 states and the District of Columbia.

This year, they are offering three Prescription Drug Plans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico:

• Cigna Saver Rx: This new, economical plan includes low premiums, low copays and savings on generic drugs.
• Cigna Secure Rx: Available to serve customers with a low-income subsidy.
• Cigna Extra Rx: Provides a high level of coverage and savings on select insulins with copays as low as $0 at a preferred pharmacy.

A few Cigna MA representatives mentioned this expansion gives new and existing residents more choices to find the plan that fits their health needs, lifestyle and budget.

Plans purchased during this year's enrollement period are effective Jan. 1, 2023.