What is health insurance, and how does it work?
Health insurance helps manage the high costs of healthcare in the United States, where even a simple medical procedure can be expensive. A doctor's visit might cost hundreds of dollars, and a short hospital stay can quickly escalate into tens of thousands. For most people, paying out of pocket is difficult, especially since health issues often arise unexpectedly.
Health insurance is a financial cushion, an agreement between you (or your employer, if they provide it) and an insurance company. You pay a monthly premium; in return, the insurance company helps cover medical expenses, from routine checkups to emergency surgeries. Many plans also cover preventive care, including vaccinations and health screenings, to support your overall well-being.
Imagine someone needs to visit their primary care doctor for persistent fatigue. Since the doctor is in their insurance plan's network—a group of providers that work with the insurance company—they benefit from reduced rates. However, out-of-pocket costs, such as a deductible (the amount you pay before insurance starts sharing costs) or coinsurance (a percentage of the bill), still apply.
For example, if the doctor's visit costs $100 and their coinsurance is 20%, they will pay $20, while the insurance covers the remaining $80. Health insurance ensures that even routine visits to a primary care doctor are more affordable, helping individuals maintain their health without financial strain.
What is Cigna?
Cigna is a multinational health insurance company headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, USA. Since its establishment 60 years ago, it has been committed to improving the health and vitality of the people it serves. Cigna has over 70,000 employees and partnerships with about 2 million healthcare providers and facilities serving nearly 178 million individuals in around 30 countries and jurisdictions.
What health plans does Cigna offer?
Cigna provides several health plans catering to the unique requirements of individuals and families of different age groups. Here are some of the popular offerings:
- Medical plan: Cigna medical plans are for those below 65 years. This plan makes quality care affordable with benefits like $0 dedicated virtual urgent care and $0 preventive care visits. Members also get 24/7 virtual care, guided customer care, personalized digital tools, rewards and discounts, and customer service all year round.
- Medicare: People aged 65 and above can opt for Medicare coverage. It includes Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies, and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- Supplemental health insurance plan: Most primary health insurance plans do not cover all the expenses; hence, you may have to bear hefty out-of-pocket costs in case of a severe illness or injury. The solution is buying supplemental insurance that offers additional coverage for heart attack, stroke, cancer, hospitalization, accidents, and life insurance.
- Dental plan: It includes low-deductible and high-annual maximum plans that cover various dental services, such as dental check-ups, cleanings, and routine X-rays. Opting for a bundled plan guarantees additional coverage for vision and hearing.
Learn more about Cigna health insurance plans here.
What are the different types of health insurance?
Understanding your healthcare needs and weighing your options before choosing health coverage is essential. Here are the four different types of health insurance you must be aware of:
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) Plans: An HMO plan allows you to seek care from in-network healthcare professionals and facilities. You must partner with a primary care provider (PCP) from the network who will provide all medical services and refer you to in-network specialists whenever necessary. There are no out-of-network benefits. Compared to the other insurance plans, HMOs are the most cost-effective.
- Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs) Plans: Similar to HMOs, this type of health insurance requires you to see providers within the network. However, the only difference is that you do not need a dedicated primary care provider or ask for referrals to visit in-network specialists. EPO plans do not offer out-of-network coverage except for emergencies.
- Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) Plans: PPO plans offer an extensive database of in-network providers and specialists without referrals. You can also avail of certain out-of-network services. However, you will have to bear more out-of-pocket expenses in that case. PPOs are the most expensive type of health insurance.
- Point-of-Service (POS) Plans: The POS plan borrows features from the HMO and PPO plans. Like an HMO plan, you must choose an in-network primary care provider and get a referral to meet specialists. Out-of-network benefits are an option but come with added expenses, similar to a PPO plan.
Need clarification on more health insurance terms? Check out our A-Z insurance guide.
What questions should you consider asking your primary care doctor?
A primary care doctor is the initial point of contact for all your health-related concerns. Plus, since they know your medical history, they can provide you with tailored suggestions for your queries. So, rather than relying on the internet for answers, reach out to your Cigna primary care doctor the next time you have questions and to cut down on healthcare expenses. Here’s what you can discuss during your next visit:
- Will my family history affect my health?
- What health screenings and tests would you recommend for me?
- How often should I schedule an appointment with you?
- Are my vaccinations up-to-date?
- What foods should I be eating more?
- Can you suggest the best exercise plan for me?
- Can you provide me with some relaxation techniques?
- What are some reliable online resources for health information?
Find a Cigna primary care doctor near you in Las Vegas, NV
Whether you suffer from a common sickness or need help managing your chronic diseases, approaching a primary care doctor is a good idea! They also provide other services such as injury care, head-to-toe exams, health screenings, and lifestyle and nutrition counseling. If you are looking for a primary care provider for any of these healthcare needs, Zocdoc can help you find one quickly!
Open the Zocdoc website on your device and enter the required information in the search box. It includes details about the specialist (primary care doctor), location (Las Vegas, NV), and insurance carrier and plan (Cigna). Finally, click the ‘find’ button to get a comprehensive list of in-network providers nearby.
Zocdoc also allows you to use filters to narrow down your search results for a Cigna primary care doctor near you. For instance, you can specify your desired appointment date, visit time, travel distance, and symptoms. Similarly, you can choose the provider based on gender, hospital affiliations, languages spoken, and whether or not they provide pediatric care. You can also schedule in-person and virtual appointments. Learn more about insurance coverage for video visits here.
If you cannot manually locate your specific insurance plan, you may upload an image of your insurance card. Zocdoc will then scan your card and display an insurance plan that matches your card. Note that this service is available only for medical insurance cards, not dental or vision. For more insurance-related information, go through Zocdoc's patient help center. If you need help uploading your medical insurance card or have any other queries, contact Zocdoc's service team, which is available throughout the year, to clear your doubts via chat or email.
Consider reviewing provider profiles, which include relevant information about their education, training, board certifications, licenses, practice names, and more. In addition to that, you can also read patient reviews to get insights into their expertise, wait times, bedside manners, and other parameters.
Once you zero down on a Cigna primary care doctor near you, feel free to book your first appointment via Zocdoc—it is easy, secure, and 100% free!
Vital statistics on health insurance coverage in Nevada
Based on data by Statista, close to half of the Nevada population, around 48.8%, were insured through employers as of 2021. Considering public health insurance coverage in the state, around 16.8% had Medicaid, and 16.7% had Medicare. Approximately 4.8% had non-group coverage, while about 2.4% had military insurance. Around one-tenth or 10.6% of the Nevada population were uninsured.
According to America’s Health Rankings, in 2022, about 14.6% of women aged 19-44 were not covered by private or public health insurance in Nevada. Approximately 7.6% of children aged 19 and below also did not have insurance. About 63.9% of the children aged 0-17 had adequate coverage between 2020-2021.
Sources
The Cigna Group
Cigna Healthcare[1]
Cigna Healthcare[2]
Cigna Healthcare[3]
Cigna Healthcare[4]
Cigna Healthcare[5]
Cigna Healthcare[6]
WebMD
Conway Medical Center
Frederick Health
Statista
America’s Health Rankings[1]
America’s Health Rankings[2]
Forbes Media
