Cigna recently announced that they are reducing their service area for their Medicare Advantage markets in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
This change affects roughly 5,400 beneficiaries, who could risk having their insurance coverage change if they don’t take action. If you’re enrolled in a Cigna Medicare Advantage Plan, this news might understandably make you anxious.
But don’t worry! In this article, we’ll go over which plans and counties are affected, why Cigna is exiting Medicare Advantage markets, what this means for beneficiaries, and a step-by-step guide on what you can do if you are affected by this change.
Why is Cigna Exiting Certain Medicare Advantage Markets?
Cigna is one of many insurance companies exiting certain Medicare Advantage markets in 2025. These exits are a reaction to the CMS’s tightened Medicare Advantage Plans regulations, including a funding cut for 2025.
The Inflation Reduction Act also reduced the maximum out-of-pocket spending for Medicare Part D beneficiaries to $2,000, putting even more pressure on Medicare Advantage Plans with prescription drug coverage.
Aside from Cigna, other major insurance companies leaving Medicare Advantage markets include Aetna, Humana, and WellCare.
Which Cigna Plans and Counties are Affected?
Cigna is discontinuing or reducing coverage for 36 plans, affecting about 5,400 members. The affected service areas include:
- Colorado – Cigna will end their PPO Medicare Advantage plans in La Plata and Montezuma counties in 2025.
- Florida – All Cigna PPO plans in Florida will be discontinued in 2025.
- Illinois – Cigna will end their PPO plans in DeKalb County and their HMO plans in Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair.
- Missouri – Cigna is discontinuing their Medicare Advantage Plans in Franklin and Clinton.
- North Carolina – In 2025, Cigna Medicare Advantage Plans will no longer be available in Caldwell County.
- Tennessee – Cigna will reduce their PPO services in Hawkins and Obion counties.
- Texas – Aransas and Walker counties should see reduced PPO services in 2025
- Utah – Cigna is exiting their HMO plans in Utah County.
How Can You Check if You’re Affected?
If your Cigna plan isn’t on the list above, you shouldn’t be affected by these changes unless your insurance plan explicitly says it is ending your coverage in 2025. You should receive a Non-Renewal Notice if your plan is discontinued in 2025.
If you want to be sure, you can also contact your insurance company to confirm if your coverage will continue next year.
Alternatively, you can also call us at +1 877-360-6565 (TTY: 771), and we’ll take a closer look for you. As licensed insurance agents, we can walk you through your options — and it doesn’t cost you anything to work with us.
What You Can Do: 4 Steps to Take if You’re Losing Your Plan
If you’re feeling confused or anxious, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you find the right plan for you next year.
Step #1: Double-Check That You Are Losing Your Coverage
Remember, not all Cigna Medicare Advantage Plans are discontinuing their coverage. You can double-check the list above, contact your insurance company, or contact a licensed insurance agent to make sure.
Step #2: Switch to Another Plan During the Annual Enrollment Period (or Using Your Special Enrollment Period)
If your Medicare Advantage Plan is shutting down in 2025, you technically have until the end of February to enroll in another Medicare Advantage Plan.
However, if you delay until the end of February, you will be without full coverage from January 1 to February 28, 2025— which is why most people choose to enroll in a new plan by December 31.
An easy time to switch to another plan is during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7, 2024.
If your MA Plan is exiting the market, you typically also qualify to enroll during your Special Enrollment Period (December 8 to the end of February). But waiting until after December 31 could leave you without full coverage for several weeks.
When you sign up for a new plan during your Special Enrollment Period, your coverage will typically start on the first day of the next month. That’s why most people prefer to enroll in a new plan before their current plan expires in January.
Step #3: Consider Switching to a Medicare Supplement Plan Using Your Guaranteed Issue Rights
If you are losing your Medicare Advantage Plan because your Medicare Advantage Plan is shutting down, you can also enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan A, B, C, D, F, G, K, or L without having to medically qualify for it using Guaranteed Issue Rights.
This Guaranteed Issue Rights period starts 60 days before you lose your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage, and ends 63 days after your Medicare Advantage Plan coverage ends.
After this Guaranteed Issue Rights period, you typically have to undergo medical underwriting to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan.
Step #4: Contact a Licensed Insurance Agent
Losing your Medicare Advantage Plan can be stressful, and many people have a difficult time navigating the next steps on their own. If you want professional help finding the right plan for you, you can always contact a licensed insurance agent.
Licensed insurance agents can help you with any questions you have and help you find the right plan fit for you.
Unlike captive agents, who work for one insurance company, licensed insurance agents work with many insurance companies — allowing them to give you unbiased advice on what plan may be the right fit for you.
If you’re looking for an unbiased licensed insurance agent, call or text us at +1 877-360-6565 (TTY: 771).
What Happens if You Lose Your Plan?
If you are enrolled in a Cigna Medicare Advantage Plan that’s ending its coverage in 2025 and you don’t enroll in another plan before the year ends, your health insurance should revert to Original Medicare on January 1, 2025.
As mentioned above, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) or during your Special Enrollment Period (December 8 to the end of February). Your current plan should end by December 31, and any plan you join from October 15 to December 31 should take effect on January 1 of the following year.
If you delay and enroll in another plan from January 1 to February 28 using your Special Enrollment Period, your coverage will typically begin on the first day of the next month. That’s why many people enroll in a plan before December 31, to avoid interruption in their coverage.
If you delay getting a plan past the last day of February, you typically won’t be able to enroll in another Medicare Advantage Plan until the next Annual Enrollment Period.
Conclusion – Things Are Not as Scary As They Might Seem!
Learning that you’re losing your current Medicare Advantage Plan coverage in 2025 can be unsettling.
However, if you stay calm and follow the steps outlined above, it shouldn’t be too difficult to land the right plan fit for you for next year.
For a smooth and quick transition into a new plan, make an appointment with a PlanFit licensed insurance agent today, and our team will be happy to assist you!