Cigna Global

What Cigna Global is

Cigna Global is an insurer's own site, not a broker or a comparison portal. It sells international health insurance, meaning annual medical cover for people living abroad, to expats, families, retirees, students and digital nomads. The site footer names the carrier: "Our Policies are underwritten by Cigna Global Insurance Company Limited, a private limited company under Guernsey Law," with "company number 41925," and says that company "is authorised and regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission for the conduct of insurance business in Guernsey."

The site itself is run by another group company. The footer says "This website is provided by Cigna European Services (UK) Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales," and a further line says the communication is distributed "by Cigna Insurance Management Services (DIFC) Limited which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority." The legal information page adds that some offers come from other group companies: "The companies offering the Services on this website are different companies from The Cigna Group as will be indicated when applying for a particular offer." It names "Cigna Life Insurance Company of Europe S.A.-N.V, Cigna Europe Insurance Company S.A.-N.V, or their branches, both companies registered in Belgium," which it says are "subject to the prudential supervision of the National Bank of Belgium and to the supervision of the Financial Services and Markets Authority in the field of consumer protection," and "Cigna International Health Services B.V., registered with the Financial Services and Markets Authority as an insurance and reinsurance broker."

The About Us page says "Cigna Healthcare is part of Cigna Corporation (NYSE:CI), a global health service company with roots in the US, serving over 178 million customers and patients throughout the world," and claims "more than 60 years of experience in designing, implementing and managing international group health insurance and employee benefits programs."

The plans and their limits

The retirees page sets out three tiers of the Cigna Global Health Options product, each with its own annual maximum:

• Silver: "Annual maximum of $1,000,000 for inpatient and daypatient treatment." Private room, "Full cancer care up to $1,000,000," "Medical Imaging and scans up to $10,000," "Rehabilitation, including Physiotherapy, up to $5,000" and "A&E Room Treatment up to $500." The page lists "No maternity cover," "No obesity treatment" and "No infertility treatment."
• Gold: "Annual maximum of $2,000,000 for inpatient and daypatient treatment." Cancer care up to $2,000,000, imaging up to $30,000, rehabilitation up to $15,000, A&E "up to $1,000," "Routine Maternity up to $7,000" and "Obesity surgery up to $20,000," with no infertility treatment.
• Platinum: "Inpatient and daypatient treatment is Paid in Full," with imaging and rehabilitation paid in full, A&E "up to $2,000," "Routine Maternity up to $14,000," "Inpatient Maternity up to $14,000," "Obesity surgery up to $25,000" and "Infertility treatment up to $10,000."

The Switzerland page describes the same ladder in words: Silver's "core benefits" are "international inpatient and daypatient cover," Gold adds "higher overall annual limits and added benefits including inpatient maternity care," and Platinum is "Our highest level of coverage" with "an unlimited overall annual limit, with most benefits being paid in full." Each is offered as "Worldwide or worldwide excluding USA cover." A fourth plan, Close Care, is described as "An essential health plan created for those who need coverage only in their country of residence, and their country of nationality." The homepage notes that its benefit summaries are "a representation of the benefits available" and that "Some benefits may be part of an optional module," with full terms in the Customer Guide.

Pre-existing and chronic conditions

The retirees FAQ gives a specific answer here. It says the Silver, Gold and Platinum plans "can help you manage the following pre-existing conditions when you reach the age of 60 years old and beyond," listing hypertension, type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, arthritis, joint or back pain, and osteoporosis/osteopenia. The same answer carries a limit: "This specific benefit covering the maintenance of certain pre-existing conditions, including prescribed drugs and outpatient treatments, is not included on the Cigna Close Care SM Plan." A chronic condition program assigns a case manager: "We'll assign your case manager to help monitor your situation." On pandemics the FAQ says "we cover COVID-19 treatment, and other treatments resulting from pandemics, epidemics and infectious illness outbreaks."

Buying and service

Premiums come only from a quote. The homepage promises a "Quote in 2 minutes, buy online in under 10 minutes," and the Switzerland page sets out the steps: "Answer a few questions and enter your personal details to get started," "Compare plans and find a flexible package," then "Receive your quote." Cigna's explainer on expat cover says premiums depend on age, medical history, level of cover and added benefits, and that a deductible "is a sum of money that you would have to contribute to medical services each year before your health plan helps to pay," which a buyer "can often choose."

On service the homepage lists "24/7 access to multi-lingual service centers," a "Global network of 2.2 million hospitals and healthcare professionals" and "Access to medical support in over 200 markets and territories." The retirees page cites a network of "over 1.5 million hospitals, clinics and doctors" and the Cigna Wellbeing app with a "Global Telehealth service." The Switzerland page states "Claims are reimbursed in 5 working days" and "No premium rise after claims," and offers 24/7 service in "English, German, French, Italian and Romansh."

The Switzerland page also explains the local rule it writes for: "You must have some form of health insurance in Switzerland if you're planning to move here permanently or on a working visa for three months or more." Separate legal pages exist for IGO, NGO and government buyers, where the Cigna entity says it is "registered under number 13799 A-R in the category 'insurance intermediary," and for Singapore, with its own "Complaints Handling Process" and "Product Summary." No overall upper age limit for new applicants is published on these pages.

Who it suits

Cigna Global suits an expat, family or retiree who wants to compare three published tiers with dollar limits before quoting, and who wants to buy online. Retirees aged 60 and over with one of the six listed conditions will find a specific pre-existing-condition answer here, on Silver, Gold or Platinum but not on Close Care. Maternity sits on Gold and Platinum only, and infertility treatment on Platinum only. Close Care fits someone who needs cover only in their country of residence and nationality. It suits a reader less well if they want a premium or a deductible figure before entering personal details.