Cigna vs. Aetna Health Insurance
Here's how to decide if Cigna or Aetna has the right health insurance plan for your needs.
Two of the largest health insurance providers in the country are Aetna and Cigna. Each carrier has high-quality health insurance plans, which can make it hard for customers to decide between Cigna vs. Aetna. Our detailed guide to Aetna vs. Cigna health insurance will break down the two companies to help you decide which one is right for you. So, if you've been asking, "Cigna or Aetna?" when looking into health insurance for yourself or are just curious if Aetna or Cigna offers better health insurance, read on.
Cigna vs. Aetna: Health Insurance Overview
| Aetna | Cigna | |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1910 | 1982 |
| Overall Carrier Rating |
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| Availability | Nationwide | 13 states |
| Coverage Limit | Varies by location/plan | Varies by location/plan |
| Deductible | Varies by location/plan | Varies by location/plan |
| Maximum Annual Benefit | Varies by location/plan | Varies by location/plan |
| Waiting Period | Varies by location/plan | Varies by location/plan |
| Providers In-Network | 1.2 million | 1.5 million |
| Covers Telehealth | Yes | Yes |
| Policy Management | Mobile app, online, phone | Mobile app, online, phone |
| Plan Types | HMO, PPO, CDHP, EPO, FSA, HMO-POS, Indemnity, HSA, Medicaid, Medicare, POS | HMO, PPO, EPO, HMO-POS, HSA, FSA, POS, CDHP, EPO, HRA, Indemnity, Open Access, Medicaid, Medicare |
Cigna vs. Aetna: Policy Types
Aetna and Cigna offer similar types of policies. First, Aetna and Cigna both sell health insurance along with vision and dental insurance. Each carrier's dental plan covers 100% of preventive care dental services. Policies and quotes can be obtained online for each carrier.
Aetna doesn't offer individual health insurance plans except through its alliance with CVS Health, which has limited availability. Cigna can be more accessible for customers looking for individual health insurance plans. However, Aetna still offers government-funded Medicare and Medicaid plans. The premiums for these plans are subsidized.
When comparing dental insurance plans, Cigna's includes access to a large network of more than 93,000 dental specialists. Cigna offers three dental plans starting at a mere $19 monthly. Aetna offers a Dental Direct plan which has two policy options, both with premiums starting at just $22 per month. However, Aetna's network is much larger, with more than 250,000 dental specialists.
Cigna vs. Aetna: Insurance Plan Costs
Comparing the cost of health insurance can be difficult without plugging in specific factors about the applicant. That's because many different variables affect the cost of a health insurance policy, including the customer's age, health status, health history, plan chosen, deductible chosen, location, and more.
Higher deductibles can mean lower premium costs for health insurance, but you'd have to pay more out of pocket for every doctor visit, prescription medication, etc., depending on your policy's terms. Aetna has free Medicare Part A coverage available with a $0 deductible for some customers. There is typically a cost for Medicare Part B, however.
The cost of Cigna's health insurance varies much more due to the carrier offering individual health insurance plans. Premiums vary by state, plan chosen, and many other factors. However, here's a sample of a few specific health insurance plans by location and their rates available from Cigna for a 40-year-old female non-smoker.
| Location of Cigna Provider | Average Monthly Premium | Deductible Amount | Maximum Out-of-Pocket Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $347 | $8,550 | $8,550 |
| Utah | $359 | $8,550 | $8,550 |
| Florida | $395 | $7,000 | $8,550 |
Cigna vs. Aetna: Coverage Limits
Health insurance coverage limits vary by the provider and the specific plan you select. Aetna and Cigna have different coverage limits for their most popular health insurance plans. The amount of coverage you need will likely heavily influence which health insurance plan you buy and the carrier you choose.
Cigna has varying out-of-pocket maxes depending on whether a customer selects a bronze, silver, or gold plan. Coverage limits available from Cigna also heavily depend on the customer's location, as rates and other coverage availability change by location.
While Aetna has various individual limits for certain medical services and treatments, here's a look at a few of each carrier's most popular plans' maximum benefit amounts:
- Aetna Medicare Plus HMO: $3,400 out-of-pocket maximum
- Aetna Medicare Elite PPO: $7,550 out-of-pocket maximum
- Aetna Medicare Explorer PPO: $6,700 out-of-pocket maximum
- Cigna Connect 7300 EPO (Silver): $7,300 out-of-pocket maximum
- Cigna Connect 8550 EPO (Bronze): $8,550 out-of-pocket maximum
- Cigna Connect 1000 EPO (Gold): $6,500 out-of-pocket maximum
Keep in mind that Cigna's maximum benefit amount depends on the plans offered in each individual's state. However, the carrier offers health insurance plans with varying deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums in most states. You'll have to check which specific health insurance plans are available from Cigna in your state to determine the maximum amount of coverage available.
Aetna vs. Cigna: Plan Availability
Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans are available in all 50 states and Washington, DC, through Aetna. The nationwide coverage availability through Aetna makes the carrier advantageous for many customers. Cigna's coverage is much more limited.
Cigna offers individual health insurance plans in certain states only. Coverage from Cigna is available in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. If you don't live in one of these states, unfortunately, you won't be able to get private health insurance from Cigna.
Cigna vs. Aetna: Policy Management Tools
Both Cigna and Aetna allow customers to manage their policies via an online member portal on the carriers' official websites and through free mobile apps. Aetna allows customers to make policy payments through its Aetna Health app, while Cigna's myCigna app doesn't include this feature.
However, Cigna has the advantage of a live chat feature to support customers, while Aetna doesn't. Both Aetna and Cigna also provide customer service phone numbers and online forms to submit messages through.
Also, both carriers allow customers to use their mobile apps for many of the same features, including getting cost estimates for medical procedures, downloading ID cards, tracking claims statuses, and managing account balances.
Cigna vs. Aetna: Policyholder Experience
Both Aetna and Cigna have had numerous customer complaints and negative online reviews. Customers cite misleading pricing information, difficulty getting claims covered, and other issues. A recent J.D. Power U.S. Medicare Advantage Study called out Aetna as ranking below average for overall customer satisfaction.
On Consumer Affairs, Cigna scored 3.8 out of 5 stars, while Aetna scored 3.2. The Better Business Bureau rating for Cigna is a dismal 1.24 out of 5 stars, while Aetna's is even worse, at just 1.06 stars.
| Overall Customer Service Experience Rating | |
| Aetna |
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| Cigna |
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Cigna vs. Aetna: Enrollment Process
Both Cigna and Aetna allow customers to enroll in coverage online. Cigna requires customers to sign up during the open enrollment period if they need a family plan or an individual health insurance plan. Similarly, Aetna requires customers to sign up for a Medicare plan during the special open enrollment period.
There's a short waiting period before health coverage begins after you enroll. Not all customers have to sign up for coverage during open enrollment periods, however. Various qualifying events can allow customers to sign up for coverage outside of the standard enrollment period, including:
- Marriage and divorce
- Becoming a U.S. citizen
- Having or adopting a child
- Moving to another home
- Losing previous health insurance (e.g., if a spouse or parent lost their job)
- Falling below the federal poverty level due to decreased income
Aetna Pros and Cons
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Which Type of Health Insurance Plan Should I Get?
Some of the most common types of health insurance plans are HMO plans, PPO plans, and EPO plans. Both Cigna and Aetna offer options for all of these types of plans. Depending on an individual's coverage needs, one type of plan may make more sense than another. Here's a breakdown of each type:
- HMO Plan: Offers in-network coverage only, which means customers have a much more limited range of providers they can receive care from.
- PPO Plan: Allows customers to choose the provider of their choice, regardless of being in or out-of-network.
- EPO Plan: Only allows customers to receive care from in-network providers, except in cases of emergency.
For customers who need a wider range of providers and facilities to choose from, a PPO plan might be the best choice. However, if having a smaller provider network to choose from isn't a concern, an HMO plan might be enough.
EPO plans offer the comfort of the policyholder being able to see an out-of-network provider in cases of emergency and can be the right choice for many. You'll need to weigh your specific desires for coverage before making your decision.
Need Help Deciding Between Aetna and Cigna? Work with a Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agent
If you're still asking, "Which is better, Cigna or Aetna?" you might want to work with a Trusted Choice independent insurance agent to make the final decision. Independent insurance agents are trained experts who can help shop and compare health insurance policies from multiple carriers for you to compare quotes and coverage options.
These agents can help you decide if Cigna is better than Aetna in terms of the health coverage you need. They can also help you make an informed decision about the type of health insurance policy that's right for you, file health insurance claims, and update your coverage as necessary.
These agents can also help answer any remaining questions you may have about the difference in coverage offered from each provider, so you can finally settle those "Is Cigna or Aetna better?" or "Is Aetna or Cigna better?" questions for good.
https://www.investopedia.com/aetna-vs-cigna-5190415
https://smartfinancial.com/compare-health/cigna-vs-aetna-insurance
https://www.helpadvisor.com/medicare/aetna-vs-cigna