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Cigna vs. Kaiser Permanente Insurance
Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare Cigna and Kaiser Permanente side by side.
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Cigna vs. Kaiser Permanente: What You Need to Know
In 1792, a group of citizens formed the Insurance Company of North America (INA), the first marine insurance company in the U.S, the country’s oldest stockholder-owned insurer. The first insured hull and cargo were for a ship called America, which sailed from Philadelphia to Northern Ireland. 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 at of the General Assembly incorporating the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, which helped make Hartford, CT, “the insurance capital of the world.”
In 2016, technology was the priority. Cigna’s created the Cigna One Guide, a proactive engagement to stay healthy, and Cigna SureFit, a collaboration between physician’s networks and hospital groups to optimize services for customers. Cigna’s Health Improvement Tour (HIT) began offering free health screenings and coaching to individuals without health care access. In 2017, Cigna acquired Brighter, to engage consumers digitally and connect them with providers. Cigna also continued to reduce opioid use by sponsoring forums, like “Addiction in America” in Washington D.C and “Generation Listen” for NPR and more. In 2018, Cigna completed its merger with Express Scripts to improve affordability and choice. Together they invested $200 million to support local communities on topics of health. They also launched Healthier Kids for Our Future to improve the health and well-being of children across the globe.
The Kaiser industrial companies of the 1930s and 1940 offered industrial health care programs for construction, shipyard, and steel mill workers. These programs were opened to the public for enrollment in July 1945.
To learn more about each company, you can check out the Cigna Overview and Kaiser Permanente Overview.
What is Cigna and Kaiser Permanente Insurance Rating?
Which health insurance company is better? We've made it easy to compare companies side by side. See how Cigna and Kaiser Permanente ranked among the industry ratings.
| Comparison | Cigna | Kaiser Permanente |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1792 | 1945 |
| Medicare Star Rating | 3.5 stars (out of 5) | 5 stars (out of 5) |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 1.15% for individual health | 0.36% for group health |
Pros & Cons of Cigna or Kaiser Permanente
Pros
Cigna
- Cigna ranks as one of the largest and oldest insurance institutions in the country.
- Cigna offers individual health insurance and group health insurance.
Kaiser Permanente
- Affordable marketplace plans with different tiers of coverage.
- Low complaint ratio for group health plans.
Cons
Cigna
- Cigna only provides full coverage in 12 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Kaiser Permanente
- Kaiser Permanente is only available in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia and Washington D.C.
Cigna and Kaiser Permanente Mobile Apps Options
The Cigna app allows you to view your digital ID Card, find a doctor, file claims, make payments, and more.
The Kaiser Permanente app allows users to find doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, view claims, and pay your bill. They also offer an app called Humana Pharmacy which helps you to manage your prescriptions.
| Cigna Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| iOS | 4.8/5 | 97,854 users |
| Android | 4.5/5 | 10,534 users |
| Kaiser Permanente Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| iOS | 3.1 | 2K users |
| Android | 4.3 | 16,728 users |
Cigna and Kaiser Enrollment Process
Cigna
Cigna is available through the health insurance marketplace, by searching plans here or you can get several free health insurance quotes here. Each state has their own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov. Also, remember that CareSource only covers Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana Georgia and West Virginia.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente offers plans through the health insurance marketplace. You can begin searching plans here or you can get several free health insurance quotes here.
Each state has their own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/. You can also schedule a personal appointment with a local Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist: 1-866-973-4588.
How to File a Claim with Cigna and Kaiser Insurance
Cigna
To file a claim with Cigna Health Insurance, use this form. Follow instructions on page 2 of the form. Mail your completed claim form with original itemized bills, to the Cigna HealthCare Claims Office, which is printed on your Cigna HealthCare ID card. For questions, you may call 1 (800) 997-1654.
Anthem
To submit claims for reimbursement, contact member services at 1-888-901-4636. Otherwise, you should be covered except for copay. If you need reimbursement for Medicare Part D prescriptions, you must use the Member reimbursement drug claim form (PDF). For all other prescriptions (non-Medicare and Medicare without Part D) you must use this Prescription claim form (PDF).
Common Questions About Kaiser Permanente and Cigna Insurance
Cigna
Does Cigna health insurance cover epidurals?
Epidural anesthesia is used to control pain during childbirth and is usually covered with a doctor’s prescription.
How does Cigna out-of-pocket maximum work?
The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you’d pay for medical expenses in a year. This money includes deductibles, copays and coinsurance. If you reach the max, your health plan will cover the rest of your care for the year. Depending on the plan, maximums vary. It’s best that you speak with an agent about your specific policy.
Is Cigna Health Savings Account (HSA) worth it?
An HSA is a bank account you own to pay for health care expenses or put towards retirement. The money is taken from your paycheck pretax. You can use it now for health care expenses or save it for the future. You can even take it with you if you change jobs or retire.
What types of supplemental insurance does Cigna offer?
In addition to Medicare Supplements, Cigna offers Lump Sum Heart Attack and Stroke Insurance, Lump Sum Cancer Insurance, Cancer Treatment Insurance and Whole Life Insurance.
Kaiser Permanente
What is Kaiser Insurance?
Kaiser Permanente is a nonprofit, group-practice health plan with headquarters in Oakland, California. It is an example of high-quality, integrated health care.
Does Kaiser Permanente have good reviews?
Kaiser Permanente has a better than average complaint ratio, especially for it’s group plans.
Who is eligible for Kaiser Permanente?
Individuals, families and people whose employers offer Kaiser Permanente are eligible for coverage. Kaiser also offers Medicare Supplement plans and Medicare Advantage, which is the alternative to Original Medicare.
What pharmacies accept Kaiser Permanent’s health insurance?
If your health plan benefits include a prepaid prescription drug plan, you must use a Kaiser pharmacy to obtain drugs at plan prices. You can fill your initial prescription at many MedImpact pharmacies, which include Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger, Safeway and Costco, but you’ll need to order any refills through a Kaiser Permanente pharmacy or a mail-order refill service through Kaiser.
Cigna and Kaiser Permanente Insurance Contact Info
| Cigna Contact Info | |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 Cottage Grove Rd, Bloomfield, CT 06002 |
| Phone | 1 (800) 997-1654 |
| Website | https://www.cigna.com/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/CIGNA/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/cigna |
| https://twitter.com/Cigna | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/cigna/ | |
| Kaiser Permanente Contact Info | |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Kaiser Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612 |
| Phone | 1 (510) 271-5910 |
| Website | https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/kpthrive/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqZdtT_o6xZbMkRbLZJ7Zvg |
| https://twitter.com/aboutKP | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/kaiser-permanente/ | |
Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about insurance-related topics. Prior, she was an arts and entertainment editor in New York City. She has a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.F.A. in writing from The New School. She writes books under her given name, Afarin Majidi.
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