Cigna
Insurance

An independent review by our team of experts.

Cigna is a leading global insurance provider dedicated to helping people improve their health and well-being, whilst providing a sense of security.

Cigna’s history dates to 1972 with its predecessors launching the first marine insurance company in the United States.

Currently, headquartered in Bloomfield Connecticut, they serve 180 million customers in more than 30 countries around the world.

Cigna ranked 13 on the 2020 fortune 500 list with 70,000 employees and over 1.5 million healthcare providers around the world.

In the UAE, Cigna has partnered with Neuron, a leading third-party provider with over 16 years of experience in the region assisting them in providing the top level customer service.

Cigna offer the below plans:

Individual/Family Policies
Comprehensive international SME policies
Comprehensive international corporate policies
Moderate regional SME policies
Moderate regional corporate policies

The Pros

> Continuous cover offer even when people leave their company and relocate elsewhere or return home

> Online services with 24/7 access to customer service

> Cigna Envoy app provides a convenient way to access all medical insurance-related information

> Cigna’s network partner, Neuron, also provide an app for easy access in the UAE

> New Flex plans provide a range of policies which each have a good number of modular benefits

> Turnaround times are quick and the Cigna team are very accommodating and flexible where possible

The Cons

> Underwriting is inconsistent, and as a result prices can sometimes be extremely expensive

> Renewal increases for SME’s start at a minimum of 12% up to 25%+

> Renewal increases are based on claims for SME companies, although CIGNA won’t release claims to the insured. Meaning it is impossible to predict the increase ahead of time and then manage the policy if claims are high (as this info is retained by CIGNA)

What are the TPA (Third Party Administrator) options?

Neuron.

Do Cigna offer a portal or an app?

Cigna offer a portal and an app to customers.

What's the turnaround time for reimbursements?

Flex Plans: 5 working days
SmartCare Plans: 10 working days

What's the turnaround time for pre-approvals?

For out-patients: 15 minutes
For in-patients: 24 hours

What's the minimum number of employees required for MHD (Medical History Disregarded)?

Almost entirely satisfied!

I'd give Cigna 5 starts if  their SME policies were more flexible.

We would have liked to have been on the Flex 1 plan because of the maternity limit available but with all of the other benefits being enhanced it was too expensive. Instead, we are on the Flex 3 which has a lower maternity benefit.

Otherwise, we, as an organisation, are absolutely delighted with the coverage, and feel that the costs are justified. The Cigna app has also been very user friendly and helpful for all the members who have used it.

Expert Assessment of Cigna

Cigna is a huge international company and one of the largest medical insurers in America. Offering one of the largest networks of hospitals globally. They have a huge global book of members and at times we have found their underwriters have struggled to adjust to the pricing in the UAE market, often quotes can be double that of their competitors when first received. Their renewal pricing also means that SME’s should expect a minimum of 12% increase each year, with more realistic increases being around 18%. This will be given without disclosing the group’s claims data, which means planning ahead can be very difficult. This being said, their team are accommodating and do assist in trying to review the renewal terms and reducing them as much as possible.

Cigna’s Envoy app is one of the best in the Middle East market, as members can get access to their plan details and the Cigna team, wherever they are in the world.

The international structure of the plans provide members with global networks which enable them to get their treatments done anywhere in the world. This is highly valued by expatriates living in the UAE.

Cigna’s SME plans offer MHD (medical history disregarded) for companies with 2 or more employees. This means that any minor medical condition does not need to be mentioned on the application. For example, in an SME or small business, if one of the employees has diabetes, the group medical insurance price will not increase as the standard insurance costs will be applied to all members. Other insurance providers only MHD terms to companies with 10 employees or more.

Whilst still building the SME and individual business in the UAE, Cigna are a great global brand that can be relied on in emergencies.

If you are a business owner or HR professional in the UAE, you’re looking to improve the medical insurance cover for you group, save money on your employee benefits package or reduce your company medical insurance costs, we will review your current plans and related expenses. Please contact us or call us on +971 (0) 4559 4900.

At AES, we focus on providing long-term solutions, tailored to an individual organisation’s needs, to help you improve overall employee wellness, drive up productivity and engagement, and enable you to manage your corporate medical insurance spend year on year.

The information in this material is intended for the recipient’s background information and use only. It is provided in good faith and without any warranty or, representation as to accuracy or completeness. Information and opinions presented in this material have been obtained or derived from sources believed by AES to be reliable and AES has reasonable grounds to believe that all factual information herein is true as at the date of issue. It does not constitute investment advice, recommendation, or an offer of any services or products for sale and is not intended to provide a sufficient basis on which to make an investment decision. It is the responsibility of any persons wishing to make a purchase to inform themselves of and observe all applicable laws and regulations. Unauthorised reproduction or transmitting of this material is strictly prohibited. AES accepts no responsibility for loss arising from the use of the information contained herein.

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Cigna
Insurance

An independent review by our team of experts.

REVIEW SUMMARY