When it comes to health insurance, Highmark and Cigna are two of the biggest names in the industry. Both offer comprehensive medical coverage, but they differ in some key ways.
This article will compare and contrast Highmark and Cigna’s provider networks, plan options, costs, ratings, and more. We’ll break down the pros and cons of each to help you determine which may be a better fit for your needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Highmark | Cigna |
| Type of Company | Nonprofit | For-profit |
| Headquarters | Pittsburgh, PA | Bloomfield, CT |
| Regions Served | PA, WV, DE | National |
| Approx. Membership | 5 million | 16 million |
| Provider Network | Focused on PA, WV, DE | National network |
| Plan Types Offered | PPO, HMO, EPO, POS | PPO, HMO, EPO, POS |
| Costs | Very affordable locally | Competitive nationally |
| Member Satisfaction | 3.5 out of 5 stars | 3 out of 5 stars |
| Pros | Strong local coverage, affordable locally | Broad national network, lots of plan options |
| Cons | Limited national coverage | Mixed reviews, can be costly for comprehensive coverage |
Overview of Highmark and Cigna
First, let’s look at some background on each company.
- Highmark
Background:
Highmark is a nonprofit health insurance company with its headquarters located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a nonprofit, its operations are not driven primarily by profit motives, but instead, it focuses on delivering value to its members and community.
Operational Regions:
Highmark primarily serves three states: Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware. This regional focus allows the company to develop a deeper understanding of the healthcare needs of residents within these states.
Association Affiliation:
Highmark is a proud member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based, and locally operated Blue Cross Blue Shield companies. Being part of this association means Highmark adheres to high standards of service and healthcare provision.
Membership:
Highmark boasts over 5 million members, making it a significant player in the regions it serves. Its substantial membership indicates the trust and reliability that the community has placed in its services.
- Cigna
Background:
Cigna is a for-profit global health services organization. It is headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Unlike Highmark, Cigna operates with the primary objective of generating profit for its shareholders, while also delivering healthcare and insurance services to its customers.
Operational Regions:
Cigna’s reach is truly global, operating in more than 200 countries and jurisdictions. This global presence enables Cigna to serve a diverse range of customers, understand various healthcare systems, and adapt to different healthcare needs worldwide.
Customer Base:
Cigna has an impressive customer base of over 165 million people worldwide. This vast number is a testament to Cigna’s expansive global operations and its ability to cater to different markets and demographics.
Product Offerings:
Cigna offers a comprehensive suite of insurance products, including health, life, accident, dental, vision, and disability insurance. By providing a diverse range of insurance services, Cigna ensures that its customers have a holistic suite of products to choose from, catering to different individual and family needs.
Also Read: Is Aetna Better Than Premera?
Key Differences Between Highmark and Cigna
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into a detailed comparison.
- Provider Network Size and Coverage Area
One major factor in choosing a health insurance provider is making sure your preferred doctors are in-network. This impacts the rates you’ll pay for care.
- Highmark has a large regional provider network focused on PA, WV, and DE. It’s one of the biggest networks in those states.
- Cigna has a nationwide network. This makes it a better option if you need to see providers in multiple states.
So for LOCAL coverage, Highmark is ideal. But Cigna is better for BROADER national coverage.
- Plan Options
Both insurers offer a range of plan options to suit different needs and budgets.
Highmark
Offers PPOs, HMOs, EPOs, and POS plans. Highmark PPO plans allow the most flexibility to see out-of-network providers.
Cigna
Also offers PPOs, HMOs, EPOs and POS plans. But Cigna has a wider variety of plans from different carriers, including international options. This can be beneficial for globetrotters or remote workers.
So in terms of plan selection, Cigna edges out Highmark. But both offer robust choices.
- Costs and Affordability
Pricing can vary widely based on your specific plan, deductible, and level of coverage. Some key notes on costs:
- Highmark plans tend to be very affordable for residents of PA, WV, and DE.
- Cigna plans are competitive nationwide but can be pricier if you need comprehensive coverage.
- Cigna offers some lower cost options like plans with Health Savings Accounts.
- Both insurers offer financial assistance programs for qualifying applicants.
There’s no universal winner in terms of costs. Shop around and compare quotes from each.
- Member Satisfaction and Reviews
Understanding customer satisfaction levels can give you insight into members’ experiences. Here’s an overview of ratings for each company:
Highmark Ratings
- Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars by J.D. Power for customer satisfaction.
- Scored 74 out of 100 points in the NCQA private health insurance rankings. This is considered average.
- Receives mixed individual reviews, averaging around 2.5 to 3 stars. Satisfaction tends to be higher among PA residents.
Cigna Ratings
- Rated 3 stars out of 5 by J.D. Power. Slightly below Highmark.
- Scored 73 out of 100 from the NCQA, also average.
- Has an average of 2 stars in individual reviews. Lower satisfaction than Highmark. Complaints around denial of claims and poor customer service.
For member satisfaction, Highmark fares moderately better based on reviews. But neither insurer gets glowing ratings in this category.
Also Read: Comparison Between Ambetter And Florida Blue
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Still have some questions? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions for a deeper dive.
The top 5 health insurers by membership are: UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, Humana, Cigna, Centene.
Cigna ranks 4th largest health insurer in the United States based on membership numbers. It insures over 16 million medical members.
There is no one “best” health insurance overall. The right plan depends on your budget, health status, medication needs, doctor preferences, and more. Top insurers include UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, and Blue Cross Blue Shield companies.
Cigna’s strongest rating is a score of 90 out of 100 from Weiss Ratings, indicating excellent financial strength. However, it scores lower in customer satisfaction – just 3 out of 5 stars from J.D. Power and 2 out of 5 stars from Consumer Affairs.
Also Read: Comparison Between Cigna And Premera.
Final Thought
Choosing between Highmark and Cigna requires looking at your specific health needs:
- Coverage area – Where will you need in-network providers? Highmark if only in PA/WV/DE, Cigna for national coverage.
- Plan selection – Do you need lots of choices or international plans? Cigna has an edge.
- Cost – Get quotes. Highmark rates tend to be low regionally, Cigna nationally.
- Provider access – Check each company’s provider finder tool.
- Drug coverage – Review each formulary list.
- Member satisfaction – Go beyond overall ratings and read reviews about each company.
- Financial assistance – See if you qualify for subsidies from either insurer.
Also consider your preferences around using local non-profit vs nationwide for-profit insurers.
Weigh these factors against your needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all winner between Highmark and Cigna. The right choice comes down to your personal situation.
