Cigna to exit Kansas, Missouri ACA exchanges next year
This comes despite a small expansion in North Carolina, in which the insurer will offer plans in 15 additional counties.
Photo: Emir Memedovski/Getty Images
Cigna will have a slightly reduced presence on the Affordable Care Act exchanges next year, paring its offerings down to 14 states after announcing it will not offer plans in Kansas or Missouri in 2024.
This comes despite a small expansion in North Carolina, in which the insurer will offer plans in 15 additional counties, which the company said will allow it to reach more than 200,000 potential new members.
Overall, though, Cigna will offer plans in fewer counties in 2024 (350) compared with this year (363).
The insurer will operate in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia in 2024.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT
Cigna offered insights into the benefits it plans on maintaining throughout next year, including 24/7 access to MDLIVE's virtual medical and behavioral care for routine visits via video or phone. Members also have access to virtual primary care, dermatology, and free urgent care and wellness screenings.
All plans will offer free preventive care, and some will offer $0 medical deductibles or copays on various benefits.
Most plans feature primary care provider copays ranging from $0-$70 and urgent care visit copays ranging from $30-$110 for non-emergency care, Cigna said, and the plans also feature copays beginning at $0 for preferred generics and access to the Patient Assurance Program, which caps preferred insulin costs at $25 per month for a 30-day supply.
In most markets, customers can receive 30-day retail prescriptions through a national network with more than 67,000 pharmacies, the insurer said.
The 2024 Open Enrollment Period runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, 2024. Health plans purchased by Dec. 15 during the Open Enrollment Period are effective Jan. 1, 2024.
THE LARGER TREND
Cigna recently said it will be removing close to 25% of medical services from prior authorization requirements. With the removal of these 600-plus additional codes, the company has now removed prior authorization on more than 1,100 medical services since 2020.
The goal is to simplify the healthcare experience for both consumers and clinicians, Cigna said.
With the update, prior authorization now applies to less than 4% of medical services for most Cigna Healthcare customers, the company said. Cigna will also remove prior authorization for nearly 500 additional codes for Medicare Advantage plans later this year, claiming it is part of a larger strategy to streamline its use and optimize care delivery.
ON THE RECORD
"We take a thoughtful and deliberate approach to our geographic presence to ensure our plans meet high standards for affordability, network quality, and comprehensive coverage," said Chris DeRosa, president, U.S. Government business, Cigna Healthcare.
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com
