Cigna vs. CareFirst BCBS - Which plan to choose?

[Anonymous]

DS is starting a new job with a comprehensive Cigna benefits package. Until now, we have been covered by an equally comprehensive CareFirst BCBS PPO plan offered through my employer. With open enrollment approaching, we've been trying to decide whether to continue with our current BCBS plan or start fresh with Cigna. The cost difference between plans is negligible. Anyone have any experience or feedback about either insurer? FWIW, we are healthy, have a toddler, and may or may not have another baby in 2017.

[Anonymous]

I've only ever had Carefirst and/or BCBS Basic (fed plans)- literally never, ever had any issue with the Blue Cross backed plans. The provider network is huge and ubiquitous in this area.

[Anonymous]

In the insurance industry, Cigna is generally known as a better carrier. But so much depends on the coverage the employer chooses.

For example, I paid $25 total for all prenatal care, my complicated birth, and my post-partum care. But my Cigna plan is a large employer's self-insured plan. Some plans, even within the Cigna PPO designation, have higher costs.

[Anonymous]

We have Carefirst PPO through my husband's employer. Coverage has been excellent. I recently spent several days in the hospital, followed by outpatient surgery. Retail cost was about 40k (can't understand how that's even possible). We paid a total of about $500. I'm certainly happy.

We changed one year to a slightly cheaper different plan. It was a royal PITA. I'll stick with Carefirst for as long as I can.

[Anonymous]

I've had both. Much prefer Cigna.

[Anonymous]

I have had both and am currently with Cigna. I find it to be terrible. They seem to cover nothing and keep dropping prescriptions that we have taken for years from their formularies so that they are no longer covered. I am moving our family back to BCBS through my work. So interesting to see that others like Cigna.