Choosing a Medicare plan can be overwhelming, especially when there are so many options available. Two of the most popular Medicare providers are Cigna and Anthem, both of which offer a variety of plans to suit different needs and budgets. But how do you decide which one is right for you?
In this blog post, I will compare Cigna and Anthem on several factors, such as:
- Plan types and availability
- Costs and benefits
- Customer service and ratings
- Enrollment and eligibility
By the end of this post, you will have a better idea of which Medicare plan from Cigna or Anthem meets your health care needs and preferences.
Plan Types and Availability
Both Cigna and Anthem offer the following types of Medicare plans:
- Medicare Advantage (Part C):
These are plans that combine the coverage of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) with additional benefits, such as prescription drug, dental, vision, and hearing coverage. Some plans may also offer wellness programs, fitness memberships, and telehealth services.
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap):
These are plans that help pay for some of the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare does not cover, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Some plans may also cover foreign travel emergencies or excess charges from providers who do not accept Medicare assignment.
- Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D):
These are plans that provide coverage for prescription drugs. You can enroll in a standalone Part D plan if you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan that does not include drug coverage. Alternatively, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage.
The availability of these plans may vary depending on where you live. Cigna offers Medicare plans in 48 states and the District of Columbia, while Anthem offers Medicare plans in 25 states. You can check the availability of plans in your area by visiting the [Medicare Plan Finder] or the providers' websites.
Costs and Benefits
The costs and benefits of Medicare plans from Cigna and Anthem may vary depending on the type of plan, the service area, and the provider network. However, here are some general trends and examples to give you an idea of what to expect.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans from Cigna and Anthem typically have low or zero monthly premiums, but they may have higher deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance than Original Medicare. They may also have more restrictions on which providers you can see and require referrals or prior authorization for certain services.
However, Medicare Advantage plans from Cigna and Anthem also offer more benefits than Original Medicare, such as coverage for prescription drugs, dental, vision, and hearing services. They may also offer extra perks, such as wellness programs, fitness memberships, and telehealth services.
For example, the Cigna-HealthSpring Preferred (HMO) plan in Arizona has a $0 monthly premium, a $0 deductible, and a $6,700 out-of-pocket maximum. It covers prescription drugs, dental, vision, and hearing services, as well as SilverSneakers fitness program and 24/7 nurse line.
The Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO) plan in Ohio also has a $0 monthly premium, a $0 deductible, and a $6,700 out-of-pocket maximum. It covers prescription drugs, dental, vision, and hearing services, as well as SilverSneakers fitness program and LiveHealth Online telehealth service.
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplement plans from Cigna and Anthem have higher monthly premiums than Medicare Advantage plans, but they have lower or no deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. They also have more flexibility on which providers you can see and do not require referrals or prior authorization for any services.
However, Medicare Supplement plans from Cigna and Anthem do not offer any additional benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers. You will need to enroll in a separate Part D plan if you want prescription drug coverage. You may also need to purchase additional coverage for dental, vision, and hearing services.
For example, the Cigna Medicare Supplement Plan G in Arizona has a monthly premium of $122.58, a $0 deductible, and a $0 out-of-pocket maximum. It covers all the gaps in Original Medicare, except for the Part B deductible ($203 in 2021). It also covers foreign travel emergencies up to 80%.
The Anthem Medicare Supplement Plan G in Ohio has a monthly premium of $127.75, a $0 deductible, and a $0 out-of-pocket maximum. It covers all the gaps in Original Medicare, except for the Part B deductible ($203 in 2021). It also covers foreign travel emergencies up to 80%.
Medicare Prescription Drug
Medicare Prescription Drug plans from Cigna and Anthem have varying monthly premiums, deductibles, and copayments or coinsurance, depending on the tier of the drug and the pharmacy you use. They may also have different formularies, which are lists of drugs that they cover, and different rules, such as prior authorization, quantity limits, and step therapy, that may affect how you get your drugs.
However, Medicare Prescription Drug plans from Cigna and Anthem also offer coverage for a wide range of drugs, including generic and brand-name drugs, and access to a large network of pharmacies, including mail-order and specialty pharmacies. They may also offer discounts or savings programs for certain drugs or pharmacies.
For example, the Cigna Secure-Essential Rx (PDP) plan in Arizona has a monthly premium of $21.20, a $445 deductible, and a $4,130 out-of-pocket maximum. It covers most generic and some brand-name drugs, and has a 5-tier copayment or coinsurance system, ranging from $0 to 50%. It also offers a preferred mail-order pharmacy option that can save you up to 66% on your drug costs.
The Anthem Blue MedicareRx Plus (PDP) plan in Ohio has a monthly premium of $86.80, a $0 deductible, and a $4,130 out-of-pocket maximum. It covers most generic and brand-name drugs, and has a 5-tier copayment or coinsurance system, ranging from $0 to 33%. It also offers a preferred mail-order pharmacy option that can save you up to 50% on your drug costs.
Customer Service and Ratings
Both Cigna and Anthem have customer service representatives that can help you with any questions or issues you may have with your Medicare plan. You can contact them by phone, email, online chat, or mail. You can also access online tools and resources, such as plan information, claims status, provider directories, drug formularies, and wellness programs, on their websites or mobile apps.
Both Cigna and Anthem also have ratings from various sources, such as Medicare, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and J.D. Power, that measure their performance and satisfaction on various aspects, such as quality of care, customer service, and plan benefits. However, these ratings may vary depending on the type of plan, the service area, and the year of evaluation.
For example, the Cigna-HealthSpring Preferred (HMO) plan in Arizona has a 4 out of 5 star rating from Medicare for 2021, a 3.5 out of 5 rating from NCQA for 2019-2020, and a 3 out of 5 rating from J.D. Power for 2020.
The Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO) plan in Ohio has a 3.5 out of 5 star rating from Medicare for 2021, a 3 out of 5 rating from NCQA for 2019-2020, and a 3 out of 5 rating from J.D. Power for 2020.
Enrollment and Eligibility
To enroll in a Medicare plan from Cigna or Anthem, you need to be eligible for Medicare, which means you are 65 or older, or under 65 with certain disabilities or health conditions. You also need to live in the service area of the plan you want to join.
You can enroll in a Medicare plan from Cigna or Anthem during one of the following enrollment periods:
- Initial Enrollment Period:
This is the 7-month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you are under 65 and eligible for Medicare due to disability, you have a similar 7-month period that starts 3 months before your 25th month of receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits and ends 3 months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.
- Annual Enrollment Period:
This is the period from October 15 to December 7 each year, when you can switch from one Medicare plan to another, or enroll in a new Medicare plan if you did not enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period.
- Special Enrollment Period:
This is a period that allows you to enroll in or change your Medicare plan outside of the regular enrollment periods, if you have a qualifying life event, such as moving to a new service area, losing your current coverage, or becoming eligible for other programs. The length and timing of this period depend on the type of event.
To enroll in a Medicare plan from Cigna or Anthem, you can visit their websites, call their phone numbers, or contact a licensed agent. You will need to provide some personal information, such as your name, date of birth, address, Medicare number, and current coverage. You will also need to choose a plan that suits your needs and preferences.
Conclusion
Cigna and Anthem are two of the most popular Medicare providers, offering a variety of plans to suit different needs and budgets. However, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to which one is right for you. You need to compare the plan types, costs, benefits, customer service, ratings, and availability of each provider, and consider your own health care needs and preferences.
To help you make an informed decision, you can use online tools, such as the Medicare Plan Finder or the providers' websites, to search for and compare plans in your area. You can also read reviews and testimonials from other customers, or consult with a licensed agent or a trusted advisor.
I hope this blog post has helped you understand the differences between Cigna and Anthem Medicare plans, and how to choose the best one for you.
Labels: Retirement Planning
