In this Cigna vs. Anthem matchup, Anthem takes the lead with its larger provider network and more favorable consumer ratings overall. Our handy guide has provided everything you need to know about these two health insurance carriers, including user ratings, plan types and when you can enroll with these companies.
Key Takeaways
- Both Cigna and Anthem offer a wide range of plans including HMO, PPO, EPO, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage.
- Cigna and Anthem sell individual and family medical plans in 14 states, with both companies serving Colorado, Georgia, Indiana and Virginia.
- Anthem scored higher overall when it came to consumer reviews.
- Anthem fared better in a J.D. Power customer satisfaction study across several regions.
On This Page
- Cigna History
- Anthem History
- Cigna vs. Anthem: Quick Glance
- Cigna vs. Anthem: Plan Structures
- Cigna vs. Anthem: Plan Availability
- Cigna vs. Anthem: In-Network Providers
- Cigna vs. Anthem: Cost
- Cigna vs. Anthem: Coverage Limits
- Cigna vs. Anthem: Policy Management
- Cigna vs. Anthem: Medical Loss Ratio
- Cigna vs. Anthem: Enrollment Process
- Cigna vs. Anthem: Policyholder Experience
- How To File Claims With Cigna and Anthem
- FAQs
Cigna History
In 1792, a group of citizens formed the Insurance Company of North America (INA), the country’s oldest stockholder-owned insurer. In 1794, INA issued its first insurance policy, for a sea captain, to mitigate the risk of death. In 1865, the Governor of Connecticut signed a special act of the General Assembly incorporating the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company and in 1982, INA and the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company combined to form Cigna as we know it today.[1]
Click to read our full Cigna review.
Anthem History
Anthem Inc. is a relatively newer health insurance company than Cigna, having been founded in the 1940s.[2] After acquiring WellPoint Health Networks Inc. in 2004, Anthem became the largest health insurance company with at least 28 million policyholders under their belt.[3] In 2022, Anthem rebranded to Elevance Health.[4]
Click to read our full Anthem review.
Cigna vs. Anthem: Quick Glance
Comparison | Cigna | Anthem |
|---|---|---|
Plan Types | HMO, PPO, CDHP, EPO, FSA, HDHP, HMO-POS, Indemnity, HSA, Medicaid, Medicare and POS | HMO, PPO, CDHP, EPO, FSA, HDHP, HMO-POS, Indemnity, HSA, Medicaid, Medicare and POS |
Availability | 14 states | 14 states (varies by plan type) |
Coverage Limit | Varies | Varies |
Deductible | Varies | Varies |
Maximum Annual Benefit | Varies | Varies |
Waiting Period | Varies | Varies |
Providers In-Network | 1.5 million | 1.7 million |
Covers Telehealth | Yes (depending on plan and location) | Yes |
Policy Management | Mobile app, online account, phone | Mobile app, online account, phone |
Cigna Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Network of 1.5 million providers | Limited availability |
One of the largest and oldest insurance institutions in the country | Below average customer satisfaction rating in most regions in 2022 J.D. Power study |
Anthem Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Network of 1.7 million providers | Limited availability |
Ranked higher overall in a 2023 J.D. Power study |
Cigna vs. Anthem: Plan Structures
Cigna and Anthem are tied in this category, offering a variety of health plans, from HMOs to PPOs, along with extra services like Medicaid and Medicare, as well as others. They serve individuals and families and also offer work-based plans that include dental and vision coverage. See each company’s coverage benefits below.
Plan | Cigna | Anthem |
|---|---|---|
Individual & Family | ✓ | ✓ |
Medicare | ✓ | ✓ |
Medicaid | ✓ | ✓ |
Dental | ✓ | ✓ |
Vision | ✓ | ✓ |
Small Business | ✓ | ✓ |
Self-employed | ✓ | ✓ |
Short-term | ✓ | ✓ |
Student | ✓ | ✓ |
Cigna vs. Anthem: Plan Availability
When it comes to availability for individual/family medical plans, Cigna and Anthem are tied with both companies having a coverage footprint in 14 states. Specifically, Anthem serves the following states:[5]
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Ohio
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Meanwhile, Cigna medical plans are available in the below 14 states but only in select counties. That said, Cigna dental plans are available in all 50 states:[6]
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
Be aware that Anthem's health plans may go by alternative names in specific states — like Rocky Mountain Hospital in Nevada or Community Insurance Company in Ohio.[7] Although its reach is somewhat limited, Anthem is a member of the broader Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which serves all 50 states and is worth considering if Anthem is unavailable in your state.[8]
Cigna vs. Anthem: In-Network Providers
Anthem pulls ahead of Cigna in this round, utilizing BCBS’s provider network of 1.7 million doctors and hospitals.[8] However, Cigna’s network is still impressive and currently has 1.5 million providers.[9]
Cigna vs. Anthem: Cost
Due to the varying nature of healthcare needs and plan types, comparing costs between Cigna and Anthem is difficult. The price of your health insurance premium varies based on several variables such as your age, your geographic location, your deductible, whether you smoke, your insurance provider and the type of plan. Costs will fluctuate based on the category of your chosen plan. Both Cigna and Anthem employ a tiered structure, featuring bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels.
The following image provides a detailed explanation of how each tier operates.
Cigna vs. Anthem: Coverage Limits
Insurance providers such as Cigna and Anthem are not allowed to set financial limits on what are considered essential healthcare services for their policyholders. A portion of the costs for these critical services must be covered. These services include:
Ambulatory patient services | Emergency medical care |
Hospitalization for surgeries and inpatient care | Diagnostic laboratory evaluations |
Mental health and substance abuse therapies | Pediatric healthcare |
Maternity, prenatal and newborn care | Prescription drugs |
Preventive wellness and chronic disease management | Rehabilitative services and assistive devices/technologies |
Cigna vs. Anthem: Policy Management
Both Cigna and Anthem provide digital platforms and mobile applications for managing your policy, which include features like locating healthcare providers, reviewing your coverage and monitoring claim statuses.
As far as mobile app user reviews are concerned, Anthem wins. Anthem's mobile application is named Sydney Health.
Company | Google Play Store | Apple App Store |
|---|---|---|
Cigna | 2.5/5 stars[10] | 4.8/5 stars[11] |
Anthem | 4.6/5 stars[12] | 4.6/5 stars[13] |
Cigna vs. Anthem: Medical Loss Ratio
The Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) indicates what portion of an insurance company's premium revenue is used for patient services and improving care quality. By law, at least 80% of the premiums from individual plans or 85% from group plans must go towards healthcare services.[14] If these minimums aren't reached, the difference is refunded to the policyholders as rebates.
Both Elevance Health and Cigna met the 80% threshold in 2023 but Elevance came out slightly on top. Elevance Health reported an MLR of 87%, while Cigna reported an MLR of 81.3%.[15][16]
Cigna vs. Anthem: Enrollment Process
To purchase a Cigna or Anthem plan from your state’s marketplace, you will need to do so during open enrollment. Open enrollment runs from November 1st to December 15th for coverage beginning on January 1st. If you miss this window, you can still enroll by January 15th but coverage will start on February 1st.[17]
For those unable to participate in open enrollment, certain events like getting married or moving to a new zip code may help you qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP).
For those looking to buy Medicare Advantage plans, separate enrollment periods exist.[18]
3 months before you turn 65 to 3 months after |
|
October 15 to December 7 for coverage starting on January 1 |
|
January 1 to March 31 for coverage starting on the 1st of the month after the company receives your request |
|
Cigna vs. Anthem: Policyholder Experience
Below is a table showing ratings based on customer reviews and company reviews from several online sources for both Cigna and Anthem.
Company | Cigna | Anthem |
|---|---|---|
Consumer Affairs | 1.4/5 stars[19] | 1/5 stars[24] |
Trusted Choice | 2.5/5 stars[20] | 3/5 stars[25] |
BestCompany | 1.9/5 stars[21] | 1/5 stars[26] |
Affordable Health Insurance | 4.2/5 stars[22] | 4.6/5 stars[27] |
BBB | 1.06/5 stars[23] | 1.08/5 stars[28] |
Based on the above data, Anthem has a minor advantage over Cigna. Also, a 2023 research report by JD Power and Associates focusing on commercial member health plans shows that Anthem surpasses Cigna in eight geographic areas.[29]
- Virginia
- Southwest
- South Atlantic
- Ohio
- Northeast
- Illinois-Indiana
- Heartland
- Colorado
However, Cigna did rank higher than Anthem in the East South Central region and California.[29]
How To File Claims With Cigna and Anthem
When you see a healthcare provider that's part of your insurance network, they'll take care of submitting your insurance claim for you. If you opt for a doctor or service outside your network, you'll need to handle the paperwork and submit the claim on your own. Both Cigna and Anthem have designated forms for this, which you'll need to mail to the specified address. You can also track the status of your claim using the online portal or mobile app provided by your insurance company.
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FAQs
Is Cigna related to Anthem?
Cigna and Anthem are two different health insurance companies. There were discussions of the two companies merging but the merger agreement ultimately fell through in 2017.[30]
Who is Cigna owned by?
Cigna Healthcare is owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc.[31]
What is Cigna ranked compared to Anthem?
A 2023 J.D. Power ranked Cigna lower than Anthem for customer satisfaction for comercial health plans in eight regions.[29]
Sources
- The Cigna Group. “Milestones.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Library of Congress. “Anthem, Inc.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- LA Times. “Anthem, WellPoint Merger Is Complete.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Elevance Health. “Corporate Rebranding to New Name, Elevance Health, Inc.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Anthem. “Individual & Family Health Insurance Plans.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Cigna. “Cigna Healthcare’s 2024 Footprint for Individual and Family Plans (IFP).” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Anthem. “About Us: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield. “The Blue Cross Blue Shield System.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Cigna. “Cigna FlexAssure.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Google Play. “myCigna.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Apple App Store. “myCigna.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Google Play. “Sydney Health.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Apple App Store. “Sydney Health.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “Medical Loss Ratio.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Elevance Health. “Elevance Health Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023; Sets Full Year 2024 Outlook.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- The Cigna Group. “The Cigna Group Reports Strong Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results, Raises 2024 Adjusted EPS Outlook, and Increases Dividend,” Page 5. Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Healthcare.gov. “When Can You Get Health Insurance?” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Medicare.gov. “Joining a Plan.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Consumer Affairs. “Cigna Health Insurance.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Trusted Choice. “Cigna Health Insurance Reviews 2023.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- BestCompany. “Cigna.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Affordable Health Insurance. “Cigna Health Insurance Review.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Better Business Bureau. “Cigna.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Consumer Affairs. “Anthem.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Trusted Choice. “Anthem, Inc. Insurance Company Review.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- BestCompany. “Anthem.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Affordable Health Insurance. “Anthem Health Insurance Review.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Better Business Bureau. “Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- J.D. Power. “Commercial Health Plan Member Satisfaction Declines in Key Areas, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- CNBC. “US Court Blocks Anthem-Cigna $54 Billion Deal.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
- Cigna. “About Us.” Accessed April 16, 2024.
