Cigna expands ACA marketplace plans to more states

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Major health insurer Cigna said this week it will expand its presence on the Affordable Care Act's exchanges, pushing into markets in three new states for the 2022 plan year.

During the upcoming open enrollment period, Cigna plans will be available to marketplace customers in Georgia, Mississippi and Pennsylvania – all new frontiers for the insurer – as well as in additional counties in Arizona, Florida and Virginia. Cigna will reach into 93 new counties, all told.

With the expansion, pending final regulatory approvals, Cigna will offer individual and family plans on the individual exchanges in 313 counties spanning 13 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia. 

These new markets have the potential to reach about 1.5 million additional customers, the insurer said.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Cigna is touting a number of key features as part of this move. For example, as an alternative to an in-person exam, the company is offering no-cost virtual wellness screenings with board-certified MDLIVE doctors via video.

Also featured will be personalized guidance and $0 cost share on condition-specific benefits to address chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes.

Additionally, Cigna is highlighting zero to $3 copays for preferred generics and access to Cigna's Patient Assurance Program, which caps insulin costs at $25 per month for a 30-day supply. The move by Cigna will see additional benefits, such as coverage for holistic services, including acupuncture in select counties.

Along with MDLIVE, other virtual tools will include a mobile app and Cigna One Guide, which provide support on questions regarding plans, ways to save money and identifying high-quality healthcare providers.

The 2022 open enrollment period begins on November 1, with close dates varying by state.

THE LARGER TREND

Other insurers are also attempting to enter, or re-enter, the ACA market.

In February, Aetna announced it was getting back into the game. Karen Lynch, the new president and CEO of CVS Health, said during an earnings call at the time that Aetna will reenter the ACA business. The ACA business has improved, she said, and Aetna will rejoin the ACA marketplace, selling individual coverage in 2022. Aetna said in 2017 that it would leave the market in 2018.

In January, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services opened a special enrollment period for uninsured consumers to get coverage through the ACA. In July, with close to a month left in the SEP, more than 2 million people had signed up, which for hospitals will likely translate into less uncompensated care, a financial boon for those still struggling to find their feet during this new phase of the pandemic.

Based on data from the normal open enrollment period, enrollment remained stable this year compared with 2020. The results show plan selections this year increased by 7% from 2020, despite a decline in new consumers. Also, for the fourth straight year, the consumer satisfaction rate at the call center remained high – averaging more than 90% – throughout the entire stretch.

According to CMS data, about 8.3 million people selected individual market plans through the marketplaces using the federal platform during the 2021 open enrollment period. This total enrollment is nearly the same as enrollments during the 2020 open enrollment period, despite the fact that New Jersey and Pennsylvania transitioned to state-based exchange platforms starting with the 2021 open enrollment period.

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com