What’s going on with Cigna Healthcare?
BayCare is proud to be part of the communities we serve throughout West Central Florida. For several months, we have been working in good faith with Cigna Healthcare to establish a new, fair network agreement that will protect patients’ ability to continue choosing our 16 BayCare hospitals, ambulatory services (which include urgent care centers, imaging, and labs), behavioral health services, and BayCare Medical Group physicians for their care.Unfortunately, Cigna Healthcare has been unwilling to come to a fair and reasonable agreement with BayCare. If Cigna Healthcare does not agree to a new contract with BayCare, Cigna Healthcare will no longer consider BayCare’s 16 hospitals, ambulatory services, and behavioral health services as part of its network, beginning January 1, 2024. If a new contract cannot be reached, it is possible that Cigna Healthcare may also take steps to remove most BayCare Medical Group physicians from its network. This has the potential to be a real hardship for patients, forcing them to find new physicians and providers and potentially travel farther for in-network care.
We are asking Cigna Healthcare to come to an agreement that puts patients’ needs first and allows us to continue to deliver on our mission to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care.
What You Can Do Today
- Nothing changes today. Keep all your scheduled appointments and procedures with BayCare, and don’t delay routine health screenings, procedures or tests important to your health.
- Call Cigna Healthcare at the number on the back of your insurance card and let them know you want to keep access to BayCare services you know and trust.
- If you receive your insurance through your employer, talk to your Human Resources or Benefits Department and urge them to contact Cigna Healthcare.
- BayCare will keep you informed throughout the process. If Cigna Healthcare does not agree to a new, fair agreement, we’ll let you know.
- For any other questions, call BayCare at (813) 443-8070.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is happening between BayCare and Cigna Healthcare?Over the last several months, we have been working with Cigna Healthcare to reach a new, responsible contract agreement. Our goal in reaching a new agreement with Cigna Healthcare is to protect patients’ ability to choose the high-quality care offered at BayCare’s 16 hospitals, ambulatory centers, behavioral health facilities, and BayCare Medical Group physician offices. If we are unable to reach a new agreement with Cigna Healthcare, many of those BayCare services will no longer be included in Cigna Healthcare’s network after December 31, 2023.
-
Why is BayCare working on a new agreement with Cigna Healthcare?Our agreement with Cigna Healthcare is approaching the renewal date that requires we negotiate a new contract. We are working in the best interest of the patients we serve to protect their access to essential services and their ability to choose the BayCare hospitals, ambulatory centers, behavioral health facilities, and BayCare Medical Group physicians they trust. BayCare’s number one priority is our patients. We are a not-for-profit organization, and our driving mission is to provide high-quality, compassionate care to all we serve.
-
What happens if no agreement is reached?If an agreement is not reached, Cigna Healthcare will no longer consider many of BayCare’s services as part of its network. This has the potential to be a real hardship for patients, forcing them to find new care providers and potentially travel farther to find in-network care.
-
Which insurance plans would be affected by a network termination?If Cigna Healthcare removes BayCare from its network, the termination would affect patients with Cigna Healthcare insurance through their employer or individual Cigna plans. A possible termination would not impact patients with Cigna Medicare Advantage plans.
-
When would Cigna Healthcare consider BayCare services and facilities out-of-network?If Cigna Healthcare is unwilling to work with BayCare on a new agreement, our contract will end on December 31, 2023. Should that happen, BayCare will be considered out-of-network starting on January 1, 2024.
-
Will patients still be able to receive care from BayCare if a new agreement is not reached?If a new agreement is not reached, patients will lose in-network access to BayCare. This means while patients could still receive services from BayCare, Cigna Healthcare might make patients responsible for a significantly greater portion of the cost of their care. Emergency care is always covered as in-network. Patients undergoing active courses of treatment may qualify for Continuity of Care (CoC) benefits to continue that care on an in-network basis; contact Cigna Healthcare at the number on the back of your insurance card to find out if you may qualify for CoC benefits.
-
How can I protect my access to BayCare?
Remember that nothing changes before January 1, 2024.
- Keep all your scheduled appointments and procedures with BayCare, and don’t delay routine health screenings, procedures or tests important to your health.
- Call Cigna Healthcare at the number on the back of your insurance card and urge them to work with BayCare on a new agreement.
- If you receive your insurance through your employer, talk to your Human Resources or Benefits Department and urge them to contact Cigna Healthcare.
- For any other questions, call BayCare at (813) 443-8070.
Frequently Asked Questions