Cigna vs. Anthem Insurance
Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare Cigna and Anthem side by side.
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In this Cigna vs. Anthem bout, Anthem takes the lead, offering a larger provider network than Cigna plus availability in more states. 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
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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, which helped make Hartford, CT, “the insurance capital of the world.” The Insurance Company of North America and the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company combined in 1982 to form Cigna as we know it today.
Click to read our full Cigna review.
Anthem History
In 2004, WellPoint Health Networks Inc. and Anthem, Inc. merged and became the nation’s leading health benefits company. In December 2014 WellPoint Inc. changed its corporate name to Anthem, Inc. On June 28, 2022, Anthem rebranded to Elevance Health. As of 2022, Anthem has 46.8 million members and is ranked 33rd on the Fortune 500.
Click to read our full Anthem review.
Cigna vs. Anthem: A 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 |
12 states |
14 states (varies by plan type) |
Coverage Limit |
Varies |
Varies |
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[1] |
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 |
Overall user reviews are less favorable than Cigna |
Available in more states than Cigna |
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
In this round of Cigna vs. Anthem, Anthem narrowly beats out Cigna in availability, offering coverage in 14 states compared to Cigna’s 12.[2][3]
Anthem Availability |
Cigna Availability |
---|---|
California |
Arizona |
Colorado |
California |
Connecticut |
Colorado |
Georgia |
Connecticut |
Indiana |
Florida |
Kentucky |
Georgia |
Maine |
Maryland |
Missouri |
Montana |
Nevada |
North Carolina |
New Hampshire |
South Carolina |
New York |
Tennessee |
Ohio |
Texas |
Virginia |
|
Wisconsin |
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. 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.
Cigna vs. Anthem: In-Network Providers
Anthem pulls ahead of Cigna in this round, utilizing BCBS’s provider network of 1.7 million.[4] However, Cigna’s network is still impressive and currently has 1.5 million providers.
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 |
3/5 stars[5] |
4.8/5 stars[6] |
Anthem |
4.6/5 stars[7] |
4.8/5 stars[8] |
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.[9] If these minimums aren't reached, the difference is refunded to the policyholders as rebates.
In 2022, Cigna had a medical loss ratio (MLR) of 81.7%, slightly exceeding the threshold for individual policies.[10] For the year 2021, Anthem issued MLR rebates to nine different states, which include:[2]
California |
Colorado |
Connecticut |
Georgia |
Kentucky |
Maine |
Missouri |
New Hampshire |
New York |
Ohio |
Virginia |
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.[11]
For those unable to participate in open enrollment, certain events may help you qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP). SEPs allow you to purchase a plan outside the designated enrollment periods but only if you experience a qualifying life event such as:
- Gaining U.S. citizenship
- Switching jobs
- Changes in marital status (getting married or divorced)
- Welcoming a new child, either by birth or adoption
- Falling below the federal poverty level in income
- Losing existing healthcare coverage (due to a spouse's job loss or death)
- Moving to a new location
For those looking to have Medicare Advantage plans, separate enrollment periods exist.[12]
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 |
1.9/5 stars[13] |
2/5 stars[18] |
Trusted Choice |
2.5/5 stars[14] |
3/5 stars[19] |
BestCompany |
2.7/5 stars[15] |
1.4/5 stars[20] |
Affordable Health Insurance |
4.2/5 stars[16] |
4.6/5 stars[21] |
BBB |
1.11/5 stars[17] |
1.05/5 stars[22] |
Based on the above data, Anthem has a minor advantage over Cigna. Also, a 2022 research report by JD Power and Associates focusing on commercial member health plans shows that Anthem surpasses Cigna in eight geographic areas.[23]
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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