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UnitedHealthcare vs. Cigna Insurance
Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare UnitedHealthcare and Cigna side by side.
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 Written & Edited by Fran Majidi Fran MajidiFran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about i... Read more |
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UnitedHealthcare vs. Cigna: What You Need to Know
UnitedHealth Group was founded in 1977 by Richard Burke and went public in 1984. It was Dr. Paul Ellwood, who coined the term “health maintenance organization,” and who helped Burke start-up UnitedHealth. In 1979, the company created the first network senior health plan.
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 was 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.”
To learn more about each company, you can check out the UnitedHealthcare Overview and Cigna Overview.
What is UnitedHealthcare and Cigna Insurance Rating?
Which health insurance company is better? We've made it easy to compare companies side by side. See how UnitedHealthcare and Cigna ranked among the industry ratings.
| Comparison | UnitedHealthcare | Cigna |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1977 | 1792 |
| Medicare Star Rating | 4.5 stars (out of 5) | 3.5 stars (out of 5) |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 1.15% for individual health |
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Pros & Cons of UnitedHealthcare or Cigna
Pros
UnitedHealthcare
- Robust health plans and benefits for Medicare and Medicaid recipients.
- Marketplace plans for individuals and families that do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.
- Popular mobile app makes it easy to stay on top of your account.
- UnitedHealth is available in all 50 states.
Cigna
- Cigna ranks as one of the largest and oldest insurance institutions in the country.
- Cigna offers individual health insurance and group health insurance.
Cons
UnitedHealthcare
- Plans are in general more expensive than those of other health insurance providers.
Cigna
- Cigna only provides full coverage in 12 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
UnitedHealthcare and Cigna Mobile Apps Options
The Health4Me app from UnitedHealthcare allows you to look for doctors and review your coverage and benefits.
The Cigna app allows you to view your digital ID Card, find a doctor, file claims, make payments, and more.
| UnitedHealthcare Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| iOS | 4.5 | 10.1K users |
| Android | 4.6 | 16,316 users |
| Cigna Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| iOS | 4.8/5 | 97,854 users |
| Android | 4.5/5 | 10,534 users |
UnitedHealthcare and Cigna Enrollment Process
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealth Group offers plans through the health insurance marketplace. You can begin searching for plans with SmartFinancial's Healthcare Insurance page.
Each state has its own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/.
Cigna
Cigna is available through the health insurance marketplace, by searching plans here or you can get several free health insurance quotes with SmartFinancial. Each state has its own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov.
How to File a Claim with UnitedHealthcare and Cigna Insurance
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealth Group pays network providers directly but if you are billed by a provider, you can contact UnitedHealth Group at 1 (800) 328-5979. If you are filing a claim for an out-of-network provider for an emergency or because you were referred to the provider by UnitedHealth Group you must submit the following information
- The Policyholder's name and address.
- The patient's name and age.
- The number stated on your ID card.
- The name and address of the provider of the service(s).
- The name and address of any ordering Physician.
- A diagnosis from the Physician.
- An itemized bill from your provider that includes the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes or a description of each charge.
- The date the Injury or Sickness began.
- A statement indicating either that you are, or you are not, enrolled for coverage under any other health insurance plan or program. If you are enrolled for other coverage you must include the name of the other carrier(s).
The above information should be sent to: UnitedHealthcare P.O. Box 740800 Atlanta, GA 30374-0800
If filing a claim for Outpatient Prescription Drug Benefits, your claims should be submitted to: Optum Rx P.O. Box 29077 Hot Springs, AR 71903
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.
Common Questions About Cigna and UnitedHealthcare Insurance
UnitedHealthcare
What are the benefits of UnitedHealth Choice Plans?
UnitedHealth Choice plans allow you to save money by seeing a doctor anytime as long as it’s an in-network provider. You also don’t need a referral from a primary care provider. This is a cost-saving option for many individuals and families. Preventive care is 100% covered.
What is UnitedHealthcare premium designation?
The UnitedHealth Premium program provides doctors with designations based on quality and cost-efficiency. Physicians may also use these designations when referring patients to other physicians. These designations allow members to make better decisions and to save money on the care they need.
Does Costco accept UnitedHealthcare vision?
Yes, Costco Optical is a vision provider with UnitedHealthcare Vision.
Is UnitedHealthcare Motion worth it?
UnitedHealthcare Motion® is a walking program created for better health and to help lower out-of-pocket costs. If your health plan includes Motion, you can save money if you stay active.
Check out our full list of common questions about UnitedHealthcare.
Cigna
What is Cigna Health Benefits?
Cigna offers health benefits for individuals and families. They also offer dental insurance, Medicare, Medicare Supplement plans, other supplemental insurance plans, and international health insurance. You can also get Cigna group health insurance if you buy it from your employer.
What insurance plans does Cigna offer?
Cigna offers health benefits for individuals and families. They also offer dental insurance, Medicare, Medicare Supplement plans, other supplemental insurance plans, and international health insurance. You can also get Cigna health insurance if you buy it from your employer.
Does Cigna offer a life insurance plan?
Yes, Cigna offers term life insurance, group life insurance, and final expense whole life insurance. You can buy a plan for individuals or through employers that offer it.
What states does Cigna cover for individuals and families?
Cigna offers individual health insurance plans for individuals and families in AZ, CO, FL, IL, KS, MO, NC, TN, UT, and VA.
Check out our full list of common questions about Cigna.
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UnitedHealthcare and Cigna Insurance Contact Info
| UnitedHealthcare Contact Info | |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 1459, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1459 |
| Phone | 1 (800) 328-5979 |
| Website | https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/groups/uhgemployees/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/UnitedHealthGroup |
| https://twitter.com/UnitedHealthGrp | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitedhealth-group/ | |
| 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/ | |
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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