Cigna and their coverage
For over 60 years, Cigna has helped people manage their health and well-being by designing and implementing health insurance plans. They have more than 74,000 employees, which allows them to serve around 170 million customers worldwide. In the USA, the coverage of their medical plans covers 12 states- Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. They have their headquarters in Belgium and offices in Spain, Kenya, and Malaysia outside America.
What are deductibles and co-pays?
Deductibles and co-pays are key components of insurance plans. A deductible is the fixed annual cost incurred by the patient to kickstart their health insurance coverage. After paying the deductible amount, the insurance kicks in and the insurances start covering your medical expenses. However, depending on the coverage, patients may still have to pay a portion of their medical bills or entirely for treatments not covered in the insurance plan (eg. cosmetic procedures). In short, the deductible is the amount you have to pay before your insurance starts pitching in to help with your medical bills.
A co-pay (short for co-payment) on the other hand is a fixed amount of money that a patient pays for the covered medical services and insurance carrier covers the rest. Co-pays are dependent on the type of service or prescription. They are separate from deductibles and coinsurance, which are other ways you might share costs with your insurance provider. Co-pays are typically higher for specialist visits than for standard doctor visits.
You can refer to our guide to know more about other insurance lingo.
What is the difference between international and travel insurance? What does Cigna offer?
International health insurance is medical coverage for people living abroad for an extended period. It is primarily medical-based and offers coverage for pre-existing conditions, hospitalizations, and other health-related expenses. In some countries, it is mandatory to hold health insurance or atleast have sufficient insurance coverage for the duration of your stay. International insurance may sometimes offer more coverage than local health provisions.
While international health insurance is suggested for people working or studying abroad, travel insurance is the best for tourists who are taking a trip abroad. Travel insurance only covers emergency treatments, and patients must return to the country where they are permanently based while long-term care is necessary. Unlike international insurance, travel insurance expands its scope outside medical problems. It also covers travel-related issues such as protection against loss of personal items and flight cancellations. It's essential to check the specific entry requirements and visa regulations of the country you plan to visit or live in to determine if international health insurance is mandatory.
Cigna offers benefits under their international as well as travel insurance programs.
How much does a psychiatric treatment cost without insurance coverage? How does Cigna support patients seeking psychiatric help?
A patient will have to pay the entire cost of all their visits to a psychiatrist if they don't have insurance. The cost of the initial appointment is typically $500. Every subsequent follow up visit after that costs $100-$200.
Cigna mental health coverage covers psychiatric care from qualified mental health professionals.Cigna plans have provisions for follow-up case management services, consultations, referrals, and outpatient services. Cigna customers can also access behavioral coaches, local community groups, and online resources. The insurance also covers medication that a licensed psychiatrist has prescribed. It is recommended to see what your particular plan covers under insurance to allow for a seamless experience with no suprises.
Who is a psychiatrist, and when can you see one?
Psychiatrists are trained medical professionals who have expertise in the field of mental health. They evaluate, diagnose, and treat psychiatric conditions according to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
People can go directly to a psychiatrist or are referred to one by their primary care provider. Following are the most common reasons to visit a psychiatrist.
- Inability to manage or control emotions
- Excessive or irrational fears
- Excessive worrying and sadness
- Substance use
- Continuous or frequent phases of rage or frustration
- Thoughts of self-harm
There should be no hesitation from an individual to seek psychiatric help. Mental health conditions are prevalent, and it will only help them in getting cured faster.
How to find the best psychiatrists near you that accept Cigna in the US?
Are you finding it challenging to find the best psychiatrist near you who accepts Cigna? Zocdoc is here to solve this issue for you. On Zocdoc, you can select the condition or specialty, location, and insurance plan. A list of doctors will appear based on your choices. Every psychiatrist on Zocdoc has a profile that shows their practice location, visit reasons, educational qualifications, gender, languages spoken, etc. You can also read patient reviews on Zocdoc.
You can also check out Zocdoc's guides on health insurance for college students and freelancers.
How many people have insurance? Is it easier for people with insurance coverage to find the best psychiatric treatment?
The number of people with insurance coverage has been rising. According to a report released by the Census Bureau in September 2023, only 7.9% of the USA population was uninsured in 2022. This was the lowest recorded rate since 2017. The policy changes during the pandemic also contributed to this significant rise observed in the year 2022. Statista also noted an increase in Cigna's medical customers in the US from 2016 to 2022. In 2022, Cigna had 18 million customers, remarkably higher than the 13 million in 2016.
To talk about the ease of finding the ideal mental health care, America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade association of health insurance companies, states that 3 in 4 insured American citizens found it easy to avail the most suited mental health support for themselves and their families. As per the data published by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2019, 62% of uninsured adults with moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and depression had a higher probability of not receiving mental health care compared to their insured counterparts.
Sources:
Investopedia
Healthmarkets
cigna healthcare [1]
cigna healthcare [2]
Talkspace [1]
Talkspace [2]
America's Health Insurance Plans
Census
Kaiser Family Foundation
Statista
REGENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Cleveland Clinic
