Cigna Vs. Premera: Comparing Health Insurance Providers

Finding the right health insurance can be tricky with so many companies and plans to choose from. Two major providers to consider are Cigna and Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield. But how do you decide between these two insurers?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll analyze the key differences between Cigna and Premera to help you determine the better option for your health insurance needs.

A Brief Comparison Table

Category	Cigna	Premera
Coverage Area	National	WA, OR, AK, HI, AL
Plan Types Offered	Medical, dental, vision, life, disability	Medical, Medicare, Medicaid
Plan Choices	PPO, HMO, POS, HSA, Medicare	PPO, HMO, POS, EPO
Premium Costs	Varies by location and plan	Tends to be higher as non-profit
Provider Network	Over 1 million providers nationwide	30,000+ providers in service states
Customer Service Reputation	Mixed reviews	Highly rated service
Member Perks	Discounts on fitness, vision, hearing, etc.	Local community health programs
Financial Strength Rating	A (Excellent) from A.M. Best	A (Excellent) from A.M. Best
Company Type	For-profit	Non-profit

Overview of Cigna and Premera

First, let’s provide some background on each company.

All About Cigna

Cigna is a large global health services company that offers health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. Some fast facts about Cigna:

• Headquarters are in Bloomfield, CT
• Serves over 165 million customers worldwide
• Operates in 30 countries
• Has over 40,000 employees
• Provides group and individual health coverage

Cigna health plans are available in most states. They offer a range of plan options including PPO, HMO, POS, HSA, and Medicare plans.

What is Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Premera Blue Cross is a regional health insurance company based in the Pacific Northwest. It is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Details about Premera:

• Based in Mountlake Terrace, WA
• Has over 2 million members
• Primarily serves WA, OR, and AK
• Also operate in HI and AL
• Non-profit health insurance company
• Offers group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid plans

So in summary, both Cigna and Premera offer comprehensive health insurance products and services. But there are some differences in their provider networks and coverage areas that we’ll explore.

Also Read: Comparison Between Quotacy And Policygenius

Cigna Health Insurance Pros

What are some of the advantages Cigna offers compared to other major health insurers?

National presence – Cigna has a nationwide provider network, so your coverage travels with you across the U.S. This gives you more flexibility.

Variety of plans – In addition to medical insurance, Cigna also provides international health plans plus specialty options like dental, vision, and behavioral health plans. One-stop-shop.

Wellness programs – Cigna policies come with access to health coaching, biometric screenings, lifestyle management programs, and other perks to help you stay healthy.

Strong financial backing – As one of the largest global insurers, Cigna has immense financial resources and stability. This provides peace of mind.

24/7 customer service – Cigna offers around-the-clock service and online chat options for assistance whenever needed.

Member discounts – Those with Cigna coverage can get exclusive discounts on health clubs, vision care, hearing aids, and more money-saving perks.

Free preventive care – All Cigna ACA-compliant plans cover free annual check-ups, immunizations, cancer screenings, and other preventive services.

Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield Pros

What are some of Premera’s biggest advantages as a health insurer?

Local focus – Premera specializes in WA, OR, and AK so their plans, providers, and services are tailored to those regions.

Broad provider network – In their service states, Premera offers access to over 30,000 doctors, specialists, hospitals, pharmacies, and facilities.

Range of plan options – You can choose from PPO, HMO, EPO, POS plans and more for both individuals and employer groups.

Highly-rated – Premera has strong financial strength ratings from independent agencies like A.M. Best.

Member perks – You get access to special programs and discounts for things like gym memberships, vision exams, alternative care, etc. to save money.

Award-winning service – Premera consistently earns high rankings for customer service, claims processing, and member satisfaction from J.D. Power and others.

Non-profit company – As a non-profit, Premera reinvests profits back into the community through outreach programs, charity care, and wellness initiatives.

Cigna Health Insurance Cons

While Cigna has several pros, what are some potential drawbacks to consider?

Limited regional networks – Outside their primary service states, Cigna’s provider networks may be smaller or more limited compared to national competitors.

Mixed customer satisfaction – Customer satisfaction scores for Cigna plans are middling compared to competitors, per J.D. Power’s rankings. Complaints cite denied claims, billing issues.

Prior authorization required – You may need pre-approval from Cigna for certain services, tests, prescriptions, and procedures before they are covered. Extra step.

No plans in a few states – Cigna does not currently offer plans on the individual insurance exchanges in NY, MA, MN, and VT. Limited options in some areas.

Sales pressure – Some customers report feeling pushed into higher-cost plans by Cigna agents. Recommendations may not be neutral.

Complex plan selection – Cigna offers many plan options. Sorting through the choices like HMO vs PPO can be complicated for consumers.

No Medicaid plans – Cigna does not participate in Medicaid programs, unlike leading insurers UnitedHealthcare and Anthem.

Also Read: Comparison Between Highmark and Cigna

Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield Cons

What potential downsides should you know about Premera?

Limited coverage area – Premera only operates in WA, OR, AK, HI and AL. No nationwide network like other Blue Cross plans.

Higher premiums – As a non-profit, Premera premiums may cost more than for-profit competitors in order to fund community health programs.

No vision or dental plans – Premera does not offer bundled dental or vision coverage. You need to buy those policies separately.

Smaller company – Premera is 1/10 the size of insurance giants like UnitedHealthcare with fewer resources. Less brand recognition outside their region.

Mediocre ratings – While not poor, Premera’s customer satisfaction scores lag leading insurers like Kaiser, per J.D. Power rankings.

Website navigation issues – Some members report difficulties navigating and finding information on the Premera member website and app.

Prior authorization requirements – Like Cigna, you may need to get Premera’s approval before getting certain expensive services and prescriptions covered.

Also watch this review video:

Cigna vs. Premera: What is Better?

So in the end, should you choose national insurer Cigna or regional company Premera for health coverage?

Here are a few key considerations when deciding between Cigna and Premera:

• Where you live – Premera only operates in a handful of states. For nationwide coverage, Cigna is likely the better choice.
• Plan offerings – Cigna provides vision, dental, life, disability plans. Premera focuses specifically on medical insurance.
• Costs – Compare premiums, deductibles, copays. One may be more affordable depending on your location and plan type.
• Provider access – Look at each company’s provider networks where you live. One may offer better access.
• Customer service – Premera is typically rated higher than Cigna for claims handling, member experience, etc.
• Health programs – Cigna offers more robust wellness platforms and health management tools.

For most, choosing between major medical insurers comes down to pricing, provider network, and service reputation in your local area. Get quotes to see if Cigna or Premera offers you a better deal.

Cigna vs. Premera Overview

Here is a high-level overview comparing Cigna and Premera health insurance:

Category	Cigna	Premera
Coverage Area	National	WA, OR, AK, HI, AL
Plans Offered	Medical, dental, vision, life, disability	Medical, Medicare, Medicaid
Plan Types	PPO, HMO, POS, HSA, Medicare	PPO, HMO, POS, EPO
Premium Costs	Varies by location and plan type	Tends to be higher as non-profit
Provider Network	Over 1 million doctors and facilities	30,000+ providers in service states
Customer Satisfaction	Mixed scores	Highly rated for service
Health Programs	Robust wellness platforms	Basic wellness options
Financial Ratings	Strong ratings from S&P, Moody’s, A.M. Best	Strong A rating from A.M. Best

Also Read: Is Aetna Better Than Premera?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are answers to some common questions people have when choosing between Cigna and Premera.

Also Read: Comparison Between Ameritas And Guardian Disability Insurance

The Bottom Line

When choosing between Cigna and Premera for your health insurance needs, consider your location, preferred providers, costs, and plan offerings. In most regions, going with either a national insurer like Cigna or your local Blue Cross Blue Shield entity like Premera is a safe bet.

Check ratings and reviews to see feedback from current members. This can give you added confidence that you’re selecting reliable health insurance.