Cigna Health Insurance Reviews

Now, Cigna has denied me the life insurance benefit even though I was named beneficiary. It seems like the "beneficiary form" was not on file. I located it (the employer had it). It seems Cigna received only 8-1/2 x 11" inches of an 8-1/2 x 14" form. I now have to file an appeal and there is not any guarantee Cigna will pay the benefit as Cigna says "the form must be on file with Cigna, not the employer". I urge anyone with Cigna to have Cigna prove they have the beneficiary form on file with them. And I do not recommend Cigna STD/LTD or Group life product to any organization. I am a benefits manager and their sales pitch does not equal their administration. I may need an attorney if Cigna denies the GUL benefit.

With the drug side effects for depression, anti-rejection, and neuropathy as a senior software engineer, I found it harder to focus, learn and remember new things. Last July, I finally quit because I just couldn't do it physically and mentally. My heart has a condition called a weak heart and I had neuro evaluation and proved I had short term audio and visual memory loss. I was paid 90 days short term disability but my case was closed after that. I appealed and it's still closed. I applied for Social Security Disability and was accepted and back paid from last December. Cigna has the basically the same definition of disabled but will not pay a dime in LTD.

Cigna has denied him private nursing twice now despite the fact the policy states they will cover up to 16 hours per day. The denial, according to Cigna is because they state Timmy's care is primarily custodial and not skilled. Timmy gets fed through a tube in his stomach every 2 hours, meds through his tube every 2 hours, injections every other day, enemas as needed, blood drawn as needed, suctioning at least every hour for secretions that make him prone to aspiration, seizure precautions, bleeding precautions with a history of bleeding tendencies and a cerebral bleed.

Timmy is deaf, blind, unable to walk, talk or communicate wants or complaints, he is totally dependent upon others for survival. The state of Tennessee, which we reside, states feedings through a tube , medication administration are skills that require a license, therefore these should not and could not be considered custodial. Timmy's life is in danger if an untrained person cares for him, which is what Cigna is stating should happen.

I tried on numerous occasions to explain that I was stuck. I had no way to get an updated report from anyone. I explained this to a rep.named Joseph. He stated that he understood my situation and that he had enough info to get at least the rest of my short term benefits paid to me. He said that he would get to work on it ASAP. Well, after a week, I called to follow up. After two days of my calling with no return call, I again had to explain my situation to him and he again said that he would get to work on it right away. A week later, the same thing happened. He had no idea what I was talking about. After explaining again my situation, it became apparent that he never did or intend to work on my file.

This was a delay of the weeks. He even stated that the reason there was a delay on his returning my calls was because he did not have my contact info. LOL. This is after being with Cigna for several months now. So, On Jan 27th, I saw my surgeon for my check up. He said that I cannot go back to work until Feb 26th. On Feb 1st, my surgeon's office informed me that all of the requested documents were sent to Cigna both fax and through the mail. As of yesterday, I was told by Cigna that they have not received anything yet.

I have called my new rep. Tanya. I have called her daily over the last two weeks to follow up. There have been many occasions that I do not get a call back. And, when I do talk to her I don't get the specifics as to what is going on. All I'm being told is that they are waiting on "medicals." There is no sense of concern or effort. Yesterday, Feb 11th, I contacted my surgeons office and they again faxed my updated report to Tanya *** with the fax number Tanya had given me. Today, I have called Cigna several times and I have yet to hear anything back.

I'm just tired of the stress of dealing with these people. There is no consistency in what they are telling me. There have been times over the last few weeks that I was being told my claim was being reviewed. Then, a few days later, I'm being told they are waiting on updates from my surgeon. Which is it? I really feel like there is nothing I can do. And, I'm tired of being lied to and being blown off. Who can I turn to for help? The so-called "supervisors" there are of no help either. Now, I'm going on two months without having received any benefits.

A little side note, I just spoke to my HR rep from my employer. She handles all of the disability issues. It was amazing to hear that she has been dealing with Cigna over my claim with basically the same issues. Yesterday, they e-mailed her and requested info that she has already sent several times. Some she sent as far back as early December. Does anyone at Cigna have a grasp as to what is going on?

I was to call back the first of 2010. I called back 01-04-2010, and I was told the form to release info had expired. So they could not talk with me. I asked them to fax me a new form, but nothing yet happened. I talked with a manager, and she said it was against the law per ERISA to talk about the claim since it was not for me.

I paid $5500.00 for a friend to be in a hospital, who had cut his wrist trying to kill his self. It was okay for them to lie to me. I have made at least 25 to 30 calls to Cigna. It's a never ending story with Cigna. I called the State of Minn. Their comment was good luck.

Even after coverage started, still we couldn't obtain info due to no cards with ID numbers. When we finally received them, we contacted them again, and still no help at all. We got transferred from one agent to the next. And when they finally got a supervisor on the phone, still no help came and was very, very rude. Needless to say, I wish we were back in BCBS instead of this awful place. Cigna has the worst customer service ever, and I really don't know why they have employees just sitting there, if they aren't going to help with customers who by the way pay to have this.

My medical insurance is the Cigna PPO with HSA. This cost is crazy! I told them to cancel the prescription because it is too expensive. The person said it was too late as the order had been shipped to me already. I said I would ship it back then. He said they cannot accept it back. I said I would not be paying for it. He said then I would have a balance on my account. How can they ship you stuff without you authorizing the charges for it? How can this be legal? It seems only fair that people should be able to authorize these things before they can be shipped. Otherwise, they can ship you anything and say that your doctor ordered it.

10/02 patient responsibility $216.80

They (Cigna) have decided what are customary charges and charges that are above their payment protocol. This doesn't seem fair or legal. We have thousands and thousands of dollars that we owe, because Cigna only paid what was in the 3rd-party billing protocol. Why do we pay for insurance when they don't cover like they say - 100% after a $1000.00 out-of-pocket and $25 co-pay. Except, any charge above the coverage is the responsibility of the insured.

Another example is a bill from Children's Hospital, Boston, MA: 5/21 charges $1182.00, 6/18 cigna payment $0, 8/11 cigna payment $848.96

8/04/09, Total charges received from Children's Hospital $4282.00, Plan liability $3183.70, Total patient responsibility $977.51

A brief breakdown of one charge: Physician $3100.00 charges submitted, Not covered or discounted $0, Plan liability $2334.74, Balance $765.26

We don't know what to do. We have about $12,000.00 in medical bills that are adjustments, not covered, etc. And even with insurance, for our "prescription plan," we are paying about $200.00 a month for our daughter's diabetes supplies, $25-100 in co-payments, and not to mention our own doctor visits and prescriptions. The stress is really mounting, and we need help.

I don't feel it's fair that if a doctor submits a bill and a third party says we are only going to pay a portion and you can bill the patient for the rest. That little disclosure statement "any charge above their customary or negotiated charges is the patient's responsibility" is talking out both sides of your mouth. We will cover you but only to the point that we want to pay. So can I submit $5 and say that this is what I feel I owe and not have any repercussions? What can I do? Thank you for listening

Cigna has spoken with the doctor; they received a note from the doctor, and medical records. They are still refusing to make a determination. It is never enough and they will never ask for all that they need at one time. I would like to quote the doctor's note: "Giving the difficulty that Mr. ** has had in healing the Pyoderma Gangrenosum and its impact on his ability to work, he should be considered for total disability. I expect that even in this regard his ability to use this leg is in jeopardy and he should not be subjected to the risk of loss of his lower extremity."

She also made me aware today that they are not using his other illnesses in their judgment. Pyoderma is a direct relation to Crohn's. The DVT started when a doctor gave improper wound care instructions for the Pyoderma. And the vascular disease is directly related to the fact that the Pyoderma won’t heal. I am tired of fighting these people. I am tired of the runaround. I am tired of the lies. I have dealt with the "Complaint" department in the past, all that proved to me is that they truly are a bunch of liars; even going as far as to make up conversations that we never had.

My son's head is not supported on the right side as it should be causing more atrophy of his muscles on the right side where the stroke is concentrated. We need the tray on his chair so he can have a place to rest his hands and support his remote control and other devices we use to communicate with him as he cannot speak. His left arm and hand did not completely recover from a previous stroke and the right arm is completely immobile.

Final results to delay is loss of home, loss of car, loss of all money because they keep sending the checks late. Now they will only send money once a month. New forms clearly specify that the Social Security disability money, if he is approved, will be taken by the insurance company. All state agencies refused food stamps or housing or medical assistance because the insurance company says he is being paid. He has lost his family and now can't make the trip they demand he makes to keep the medical appointments. They require all trips and yet refuse to pay the cost.

I feel I pay a lot of money a month to have health insurance and what good is it if they won't pay for medical treatment? Can they get away with just taking your money and not paying? My husband's company does not offer health insurance and I feel I have no other options. I've looked up complaints online and it does appear that CIGNA receives many complaints. Is there anything that can be done? To me this is the same as saying you’re only allowed one x-ray a year no matter how many bones your break. I truly believe they are just finding loopholes to deny payment. Please help.

In a letter from the Social Security Administration dated February 6, 2008, it stated, "You may enroll for Medicare medical insurance at any time you are covered under a group health plan. However, you may wait and enroll during the 8-month period that begins when the work ends or your coverage under the plan ends, whichever occurs first." So, we elected to stay with Cigna since we had been so satisfied, even though their premium had jumped so drastically in January 2009.

I have called and written letters to Cigna trying to get $2,500 in medical bills paid but they were rude and non-responsive to our problem. I finally got someone to promise to mail me an Appeal form but I haven't received it yet. They were even rude enough to return a several-page document with cover letter that I sent them asking for a review. Cigna's stand is that we were required to go on Medicare when it became available but why didn't they tell us that? Why did our bills have to pile up before they finally told us their policy? Why have they collected the high premium but not provided the services?

It's frustrating when you try to do everything right and make the contacts to correct problems only to be told "It's your fault. Deal with it." My husband needs some more diagnostic work done but now, we can't afford it. He has some new medical problems that need attention, but we can't afford the doctor visits. His health has been put on hold until July, when he will start receiving Medicare benefits. Does Cigna care? No!

I also had an ongoing complaint regarding harassment in the work place due to my FMLA. I sent a long grievance letter to Ms. **. I had not heard anything about the grievance and I had been very sick, so it was a month or so that I tried to get info on grievance. I was told that they had sent me a letter, certified mail for their response. I told Ms. ** that the only letter I received (certified mail) was where they fired me. I asked what the letter said and she said she couldn't remember but she would send the letter again. I received it in June. Nothing was done, period. My doctors put me out of work due to several health issues. I have had to get a lawyer to fight for my short term and long term disability. The last full day of work for me was 1-29-08. I worked 3 hours on 2-6-08.

I have had four surgeries from 4/08 to 12/08. I had bilateral cervical fusion, gallbladder surgery and two surgeries (10/08 and 12/08) at MUSC in Chas to help me breathe. I still have apnea. I cannot use a cpap or bipap. I have chronic migraines and nausea, arthritis in my back, slight scoliosis, back pain, carpal tunnel in both hands and wear braces on them. I have fibromyalgia, severe depression and stress, chronic pain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hyperthyroidism, trouble sleeping, trouble with concentration and memory to name a few. I take pain meds everyday. I have not had a paycheck since Feb '08. Cigna keeps saying that I was a sedentary nurse. I'm only 46 and was educated. My job was triaging patients on the phone. Most people, even in the hospital, did not know the extent of what our job was.

I did work on the computer 10 hours a day. I had to have an SC multistate license and a Penn state license. I have had to get a lawyer but according to them, I have been turned down twice already. They are filing an appeal. I think it is so ridiculous that when a person truly needs help and has documented health problems that they can't get the help they need or deserve. My medical bills are ridiculous and I'm getting very frustrated. I do have a lawyer who is trying to help me with the STD/LTD and Social Security Disability. This has been going on now for a year. I just want to know why this is so hard. My family is living paycheck to paycheck and I have a son that graduates high school this year. Cigna has drawn this out so long. Now, I understand why people who are sick/disabled have to file for bankruptcy.

After almost 24 hours of vomiting, she was becoming dehydrated. Once in the hospital (which is not a Cigna provider) I.V. fluids, medications and a CT of the abdomen with rectal contrast were ordered. A mass was found in her lower abdomen and it appeared to have ruptured. South Haven Community Hospital has only 40 beds and has no emergency surgery or pediatric services available. Within 15 mins of this diagnosis, we were in an ambulance being transported to The Children's Hospital at Bronson Methodist in Kalamazoo, Mi. Once there, we met with the Chief of Pediatric Surgery, and the diagnosis was confirmed, there was a mass and it appeared to have ruptured. Surgery was scheduled immediately.

They removed a tumor the size of a large grapefruit and my daughter's right ovary. Shortly after surgery, the surgeon informed me of a hospital appointment with an pediatric hematologist and oncologist. Dr. ** is with Michigan State University's Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, she would be my daughter's oncologist. To make an extremely long story short, my daughter had an extremely rare form of juvenile ovarian cancer. We (i.e. me and my ex husband) were informed that since both hospital visits were emergency, Cigna would cover both at 80%. This would not be the case.

First, we were told that because we didn't call for prior authorization, the coverage wouldn't be decreased (It was Saturday and the call centers were not open). Then it was the fact the hospitals were not in network. Emergent or not. Then that ruptured tumor was not emergent. Finally the bill at South Haven Community was paid at 80% after a battle. Things like the CT had to be pre-authorized etc. etc. Any excuse not to pay. Then Bronson wasn't part of the network, so they would only pay at 60%. Then the oncologist wasn't in network, they would authorize to see a geriatric oncologist but not a pediatric oncologist. And since I have found the oncologist office did apply for network years ago. But Cigna only authorizes one name in the entire office. They all bill under the same tax I.D. why aren't they all listed?

Bronson applied and became part of Cigna's network October 1, 2008. They had no choice, the other pediatric provider for the area discontinued pediatric services June 5th, 2008. We go back to Bronson for testing every 3 months but as of yet cannot get Cigna to pay what they should. And every time you call, they agree that it should be covered and then they don't pay. The reasons are numerous and will vary from operator to operator. The latest is no visits to the oncologist are covered because the deductible hasn't been met! An Emergency room visit, the ambulance transfer to a children's hospital with an in-patient stay, and her deductible hasn't been met. It's unbelievable. How they determine what to pay at 80% and what to pay at 60% I don't know. The anesthesiologist at Bronson was paid at 80% but the pathologist wasn't. The hospital wasn't and the oncologist wasn't (even though she is supposed to be in network). It's unbelievable.

Today, Dec. 12, 2008, I received a bill from them for $1,303.59 due in full by Dec. 29, 2008. I called to inquire about this since I had not received a bill from them in some time. The customer service representative who would only identify herself to me as Claire was extremely rude with me as I tried to figure out why I had stopped receiving bills from them, and why I was getting a large bill now. I asked if they could simply start sending me the monthly bills again (as they had neglected to keep doing), and she said no, because I should have kept sending them money even though I didn't get any bills! When I said I couldn't send money when I had no payment amount, no account number, or an address to send it to, her reply was, "Well lady, I can hide bills just as well as you can!"

I have never been so insulted by a customer service representative. I was so astonished that I asked her to repeat herself to make sure I heard her correctly, and she said, You heard me in a very rude tone. I then asked to speak to her supervisor and she put me on hold for at least five minutes. When she came back she said that her supervisor said there was nothing she could do and I had had better pay the bill in full by the end of the year. I asked to speak to the supervisor directly and she put me on hold for another five minutes. When she came back she said there was not a supervisor available and she would take my number and someone would call me back in 24 hours.

I am emotionally hurt, physically drained, economically poorer, and my trust level has dropped to 0%. I have been speaking out to anyone else who will listen. I don't know what else to do. I feel so small.

So now they are telling me it will take 30 business days from July 29 2008 becausethat is when it got to the right place which is ridiculous. My son is suffering because they dropped the ball and took 23 business days to get the information to the right department. My son only has until 12 months of age to truely correct the problem and he is currently 6 months. Cigna has already wasted 2 months of precious time that he could have been getting the proper help. In the meantime they have given me the runaround and lied and shoved me around only to get no answers only more waiting while my childs head gets worse.

My son head is very noticeably crooked and misshapen. Also his torticollis has not gotten better because his head needs fixed so we can fix his neck. We have to take him to physical therapy once a week to try to help and pay out of pocket for that.

I completed this in a timely manner, within a week, because I needed to make a request to the previous insurance company, wait for the document to be mailed, and then I would have to fax it to Cigna, where they would then scan it into their system, from there it would take up to 10 business days for the system to be updated. I did not learn any of these facts until my third phone call. The second phone call that I made approximately two weeks after the first was to verify that the information had been received. I was informed that it had been received but that I needed to provide more proof. I explained that I had been told I only needed to prove that I had not become a diabetic in the interum between health insurances. I was then corrected. They needed proof that I had health insurance coverage for one continuous year; so that I could be released from the pre-existing condition, while doing this I also needed to show that there was no more than 61 days of a lapse of insurance.

The fourth time that I called to verify that I had sent the proper documentation, I was told that I needed to send more because I was 20 days short of showing a year of coverage. I responded by asking what would happen if I did not send any more documentation? I was told that I would be put in a hold, which means that every time my endocrinologist or any thing that appeared to be for my diabetic condition presented, a survey would be sent to the patient and to my doctor. My endocrinologists billing department-where I am a current patient for 12 years-called and told me that Cigna informed them that a survey had been sent out. I have to this day not received the survey even after requesting it be sent to me after converation number 4 with my health insurance company.

What has inspired me to write this is the second phone call I received today, once again from my endocrinologists office, where the billing supervisor spoke to Cigna and was told that; I refused to provide any additional information. When I asked: what happens if I don't send any more documentation? that was considered refusal. I called my health insurance company for the sixth time today and was told that all documentation was up to date and that the last time my dr's office called was two weeks ago; however, the office had called this morning. Finally, under the HIPAA compliance act which is supposed to protect the patient; states under the federal government that you cannot request an excess of six months of health insurance coverage. How is this Cigna Plan even offered to the public?

As a result of this situation I have had to use time designated for lunch to make calls to old insurance companies, fax documentation, and follow up. I have received bills totaling $700.00, one of the bills is about to go to collections. Stress is something that most diabetics try to avoid, this situation has now been going on for four months.

Luckily I was reimbursed once for charges I was billed for. But this is an on going saga with no end in sight.

The insurance wanted me to pay for the full amount ($4,000) stating the Hospital was not part of the network. But, even if the hospital was not, I had a PPO at the time, which means if the hospital WAS NOT part of the network Cigna would still have responsibilities towards the bill; instead of a full amount coverage it would have to pay 60%.

After almost 2 years of fight, I was able to get them to recognize the Hospital and pay part of the bill. I am still fighting to have the remaining balance paid for.

If you have a choice (i.e. insurance not offered through your employer) run away from this company, it's just not worth it makes several mistakes with payments, misleads consumer with incorrect & false explanation of benefits.

My name was sent to collection for the amount of $1,200

I have always felt that the rate hikes were due to something wrong with CIGNA CORPORATION and possible stock fraud etc. so they raised the health insurance member rates to off set alleged stock fraud. I found out yesterday , since I own a few shares of CIGNA stock that Cigna had a class action suit filed against them for alleged misrepresntaion of their computer transformation system and alleged artificial stock inflation of common stock from Mov. 1, 2001 to oct. 24, 2002. there is a proposed settlement that CIGNA would have to pay out 93 million dollars to the people who lost money when they bought and sold common stock during 2001-2002.

Now I beleive that to offset the costs of their calss action suit and allegations of stock fraud and a propsed settlement that CIGNA Health Insurance then raised their rates in California and other states enormously. And I as well as other people are suffering. Inother words to offset a loss of 93 million dollars Cigna corpororation is price -gouging consumers who have their helath insurance.

TEIGIT is a group opf guilds such as the Dramatist guild , people in entertainment and writing and not all of us are so succcessful that we can afford these Health insurance rate hikes. Do you hae an investigative journalist that would lookin to this matter?

I now have to pay $3081 a quatrer for my health insurance premiums and I only make about $2600 a month from part-time work, diability payments and a friend renting a room in my house. And when ever I applied to any other health plan as an individual I got rejected due to pre-exisiting conditions which are not fatal or contagious. this includes AARP's Hospital advantage plan, Aetna, And Midwest life Insurance of Tennessee.

I have wasted valuable time and energy trying rto get on other health plans and I also applied to two government plans which took a lot of time and paperwork and I don't know if they will accept or reject me. the point is that I complained to every governemnt agency about this and today again complained ans asked them to investigate wheter or not the Class action law suit against CIGNA or the alleged stock fraud is realtred to these enormous rate hikes by CIGNA Helath insurance here in California. I call it pulling an Enron.

I am tired of complaining to govt. agencies that do nothing and tired of the discrimination I get when I apply to private health incurance plans as an individual and I know I am not the only one in this boat.

But Cigna does not consider or don't care about individuals or group of people that needs insurance.

Cigna has the power and ability to increase premiums without any regards to the people.

Cigna increased the premium up to 300% this year!

Are they not making enough money?

This is a case of an increase in my premium without
notifying me. I was paying $1153 for the last year or more than that.
then all of a sudden this month, I have to pay $2095.10! That is a big jump from the amount I
was paying for no reason at all.
I was not abusing the plan or benefits nor was I

using it a lot for outrageous costs.

that is an increase of $939 which is outrageous!

the other members were using it a lot therefore, I have to pay for this... I am self-employed and I work to support myself and pay for this health insurance among other insurances I have to have.

But a $939+ increase is inhuman.

Then, every time I call there is a different reason why the claim isn't paid, the customer service rep promises to check the inconsistencies and call me back. I receive a call-back roughly 50% of the time. In my latest conversation this morning, the rep says my claim is in limbo b/c the cost of the prescribed medicine is too high and my doctor failed to provide the necessary information. Yet, there is NO COST information required on the doctor's form, downloaded from the Cigna website.

Additionally, I have received ZERO communication on prescription reimbursements submitted beginning March 24, 2006. The claims are not even processed yet - nearly a month and a half after submission.

They continue to come up with excuses not to pay even though they are not at all valid and have informed me after I get the letter from the doctor (the doctor that seems to have rotated to another hospital and cannot be found), then there are more hoops I have to jump through. As soon as I track the doctor down to get the form filled out that they have sent me, no doubt they will say I have a preexisting condition based on telling the doctor that I urinate alot at night and have always - that might be considered a history of a condition and that is not even a condition. Many people complain that this company does not pay claims and that they may as well be wearing a black mask and a gun....

emotional stress from having to do their job by tracking down the doctor and jumping through a thousand hoops to get them to pay a claim, and financial stress from the claim being perptually unresolved, paying their monthly bills and receiving no service...these people are crooks.

On 9/18, the check was processed for $469 payable to the provider, Rebecca Appelbaum, and sent to the address indicated in her invoice.

I tried to call Rebecca Appelbaum at the phone numbers she had given me but all the numbers are disconnected. I heard that she rellocated somewhere in Florida. There is no way I can track her down to get the reimburesement from her. CIGNA is at fault because they did not perform due diligence in processing the check.