Cigna Global Senior Plan In-Depth Review: Should I Get It?

It’s very difficult for retirees to get health insurance. In fact, a majority of health insurance companies do not accept new applications once you turn 65 years old.

And not just that. Many plans only cover you until you are 70 years old. This means that once you are older than 70, you need to find new health insurance.

Fortunately, Cigna Global has a plan called “Cigna Global Plan for Seniors.” In my opinion, it’s one of the best health insurance options available for senior citizens, especially for those who spend their lives abroad for various reasons.

The plan has no age limit, covers certain pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, arthritis, and joint or back pain, and provides international coverage. Of course, it’s not the cheapest plan available on the market, but the overall coverage is really good.

In this review, I will discuss the key features, benefits, and overall effectiveness of this plan so you can decide for yourself whether you want to buy it or not.

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Plan Overviews

The Cigna Senior Plan was designed by taking into account the feedback and needs of Cigna clients and individuals aged 60 and above. This plan is particularly beneficial for those who love to travel or choose to reside outside their home country.

Here’s how the plan works:

Unlike other health insurance plans, you have a single core plan, without any age limit, and can choose from many optional coverages, such as:

• Area of coverage: Worldwide, including the US, or worldwide, excluding the US
• Outpatient coverage
• Health and well-being coverage, such as cancer screenings and checkups

In addition to that, you can choose:

• Up to 3 currencies: USD, EUR, and GBP
• A deductible of up to US$10,000
• Cost sharing of up to 30%

Key Coverage

Here’s is the key coverage of the Cigna Senior Plan

• Annual limits of US$1,000,000
• Hospitalization, private room
• ICU
• Surgery fees
• Medications
• Cancer treatment
• US$10,000 for scans
• US$1,000 for a guardian during hospitalization
• Local ambulance and air ambulance
• Out-of-area emergency hospitalization coverage
• Global telehealth
• No age limit

What makes Cigna Global Senior plan stands out is that it covers certain pre-existing conditions including:

• hypertension
• type 2 diabetes
• glaucoma
• arthritis
• joint or back pain
• osteoporosis. 

As you can see, the overall coverage is quite comprehensive. The US$1,000,000 annual limit is sufficient for most countries in the world, except for those with expensive healthcare, like the United States or Switzerland. In addition to that, when it comes to hospitalization, it covers a private room, while some plans only give you a semi-private room.

I also appreciate global telehealth. It’s more useful than you might think since it allows for unlimited consultations with Cigna doctors for non-emergency health issues.

They can provide initial advice on what you need to do and even schedule an appointment with a suitable doctor for your condition.

Area of Coverage

The Cigna Senior Plan offers two areas of coverage:

• Worldwide Excluding the USA
• Worldwide Including the USA

Compared to other international insurance providers, Cigna Global provides a much wider range that covers most countries, including those with expensive healthcare costs such as Switzerland and Singapore.  

Age Limit

There is no maximum age limit for joining the Cigna Global Plan for Seniors and you can join for as long as needed. Those over 60 years old are also entitled to a 10 percent discount to plans with a minimum deductible of US$750.

Optional Coverage

Cigna offers two optional coverage that you can add to the Senior Plan for a more comprehensive coverage

Outpatient Coverage

International Outpatient offers coverage for treatments that do not require an overnight stay in the hospital, including prescribed outpatient drugs and dressings. 

It comes with an annual limit of US$15,000. You have the flexibility to schedule consultations with a medical practitioner, whether virtually or in-person, without any restrictions, as long as you remain within this limit.

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Furthermore, the outpatient coverage encompasses a range of essential services including prescribed medications, radiology and diagnostic tests, rehabilitation therapies such as physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment, traditional Chinese medicine, well-child tests, and coverage for dental accidents. Additionally, for those aged 60 and above, the plan extends to cover outpatient treatment and medication for the ongoing management of chronic conditions.

Tip: If you live in a country with affordable healthcare, like Thailand or Mexico, in most cases, you don’t need outpatient coverage since it is often more affordable to pay out of pocket.

International Health and Wellbeing

The International Health and Wellbeing optional coverage helps you proactively manage your health. It covers screening against diseases, testing against common illnesses, and routine physical exams up to US$225. 

Cigna also provides 24/7 access to counseling services for mental and behavioral support via their Life Management Assistance program. 

This add-on is recommended for seniors as it is beneficial to conduct preventative screenings annually to catch signs of cancer as early as possible. 

Deductible and Cost Share 

Similar to other Cigna Global plans, they offer a range of deductible and cost share options. This allows customers to lower the annual premium and tailor their plan to suit their needs. 

The deductible is the amount you pay each year for medical services before your insurance starts covering the cost. The cost share or copay refers to the portion of healthcare costs you are responsible for after your deductible has been met. For example, the flat fee to see your doctor or fill a prescription.

There’s an annual out-of-pocket maximum on your deductibles and cost share. Once this limit is reached, Cigna will cover 100 percent of your covered healthcare expenses. This cap is designed to protect individuals from potential financial difficulties that could arise from high healthcare costs, particularly in years when they require extensive medical treatment.

Under this plan, it is possible to choose an annual deductible of $375, additional 20 percent cost share, and out-of-pocket maximum of US$2,000. 

For example, if your hospital bill costs US$20,000, you will pay the US$375 deductible and 20% cost share (US$3,925) and Cigna will cover the other US$15,700.  Since you have reached your US$2,000 out-of-pocket maximum, any other claims during that year will be fully covered by your insurance. 

If you’re generally in good health and don’t anticipate needing expensive medical services, a plan with a higher deductible and a cost share of 10-20 percent might be suitable for you. On the other hand, if you have pre-existing medical conditions, opting for a plan with a lower deductible, a 30 percent cost share, and a $5,000 out-of-pocket maximum could be a wise choice. This approach could help lower your insurance premium while still providing coverage against costly medical bills.

Global Telehealth 

Cigna’s Global Telehealth services offer members the opportunity to engage in virtual consultations with licensed doctors at any time and from any location worldwide, addressing all health-related inquiries and concerns. This service includes diagnosing non-emergency health conditions, issuing prescriptions (when medically necessary), referring you to a hospital or specialist within the Cigna hospital network, and pre-authorizing your claim.

This service is particularly useful when living or traveling abroad, as it allows for swift communication with Cigna regarding any health-related issues. According to feedback, the response time from Cigna Global Telehealth contacts has been notably efficient, typically returning calls within a day to address inquiries.

You can easily use this service by downloading the Cigna Wellbeing App and making an appointment with a doctor. 

Create a Plan

You can create a flexible Cigna Global Senior Health Plan in a few steps.

• Select your coverage area. You can choose between Worldwide excluding USA and Worldwide including USA. 
• Add optional coverages. These include Outpatient Benefits, which offers access to a range of outpatient consultations, and Health & Wellness Benefits, which provides preventative care services.
• Adjust your premium. Applicants can adjust their premiums with a wide range of deductibles and cost shares options. 
• Get a quote. You can get a free quote by filling out a form here. 

Plan Summary

The table below quickly include the key coverage benefits of the Cigna Global Senior Plan

Core Coverage

Treatment	Coverage
Annual Limit	$1,000,000
Hospital Charges	Fully Covered
Hospital Accommodations for Parents/Guardians	$1,000
Pandemics, Epidemics, and Outbreaks	Fully Covered
Inpatient Cash Benefit	$100
Accident & Emergency Room Treatment	$500
Transplants	Fully Covered
MRI, CT, and PET Scans	$10,000
Rehabilitation	$5,000
Home Nursing	$2,500
Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine	$1,500
Palliative Care	$35,000
Prosthetic Devices	Fully Covered
Local Ambulance	Fully Covered
Mental & Behavioral Health	$5,000
Cancer Care	Fully Covered
Newborn Care	$25,000
Maternity Care	Not Covered
Global Telehealth	Unlimited

Optional Outpatient Coverage

Treatment/Plan	Coverage
Annual Outpatient	$15,000
Consultations with Practitioners & Specialists	$2,500
Prescriptions	$1,500
Outpatient Rehabilitation	$5,000
Hearing Aids	$500
Vaccinations	$250
Dental Accidents	$1,000
60+ Care	$500

Optional Health and Wellbeing Coverage

Coverage	Details
Life Management Assistance Programme	24/7 access to counsellors for mental and behavioral health support
Mental Health Support Programme	Up to 20 face-to-face counselling sessions per condition per period of cover
Telephonic Wellness Coaching	Access to a personal wellness coach for lasting lifestyle changes
Routine Adult Physical Examination	Covered
Footcare by a Chiropodist or Podiatrist	$225
Cervical Cancer Screening	$225
Prostate Cancer Screening	Up to 5 sessions
Breast Cancer Screening	$225
Bowel Cancer Screening	$225
Skin Cancer Screening	$225
Lung Cancer Screening	$225
Bone Densitometry	Paid in full, up to the annual benefit maximum

Exclusion

The Cigna Senior Plan covers mostly everything an average policyholder needs. However, some health risks and coverages are typically not included in health insurance for seniors, which are as follows:

• Diseases or treatments that are not proven or accredited by physicians

• Medical expenses due to self-harm or intentional injuries

• Maternity expenses

• Cover/reimbursements for experimental therapies, elective cosmetic procedures, and fertility treatments.

• Anything directly or indirectly related to pre-existing conditions that were not disclosed on the application. 

• Coverage for long-term care or nursing home stays may have limitations. The core plan states up to 30 days per beneficiary period for home nursing.

The core plan only includes local ambulance service, both road and air. International medical evacuation is an add-on. 

While Cigna offers worldwide coverage, there may be limitations in certain regions or countries, it is best to check the specifics in your policy. 

Cost

Here’s an estimate of how much it would cost annually for the Cigna Global plan for Seniors worldwide excluding the USA at a $1,500 deductible. The prices will vary based on your location, age, and choice of coverage options and deductibles. 

• Age 60 – 69: US$3,568 – US $5,888
• Age 70 – 79: US$6,469 – US$9,430

For a more accurate cost estimate, fill out a quote with Cigna Global.

Making a Claim

To make a claim with the Cigna Senior Plan, you can easily log in to Cigna’s Online Customer Area to submit a claim. There is a live chat available for assistance. If all necessary documents are completed, claims should be processed within one week. 

There is also the option of printing the appropriate claim form, filling it out, and mailing the claim to the address shown on the form. However, this can take up to 15 days to process.

In most cases, if you received in-network care, your provider will file a claim for you. With Cigna’s vast global medical network, most hospitals can arrange direct billing to Cigna. 

Certain procedures, medications, and treatment locations may require prior authorization from Cigna Healthcare before receiving care. Failing to obtain approval in advance could result in a partial or full denial of your claim. Thus, it is recommended to reach out to the Cigna customer service team beforehand to verify coverage for the intended treatment, unless it is an emergency situation.

How to Apply

You can easily apply for the Cigna Senior Plan online using this form and obtain a quote almost instantly. 

Alternatively, you can apply through your local broker. The costs are similar to buying directly from Cigna. If you need recommendations for reliable insurance brokers, we can provide some options if you fill out this form. 

Is Cigna Senior Plan Worth It? 

The Cigna Global Senior Plan stands out as a preferred option for senior health insurance, and this reputation is well-deserved. It offers comprehensive coverage with generous limits for hospital expenses, cancer treatment, mental health support, and common pre-existing conditions seen in this age demographic. 

Overall, the plan’s flexibility and the option for both virtual and in-person care, along with the absence of a maximum age limit, guarantee that you have the freedom to select the healthcare that best suits your needs.

For other products from Cigna Global, you can find them in our Cigna Global Review article.

Cigna Senior Plan Vs. Other Health Insurance Plans for Retirees

While many health insurance providers offer coverage for individuals up to the age of 65 or 70, there aren’t many that have specific plans for seniors aged 60 and above. 

For seniors who frequently travel abroad, obtaining senior travel insurance is a more common and straightforward process, and it usually doesn’t have an age limit. However, this type of insurance only covers travel-related risks and emergencies for the duration of the trip.

Besides the Cigna Senior Plan, here are other health insurance plans for retirees offered from top global health insurance providers.

IMG Global Senior Plan

IMG Global is also a US based global health insurance provider. They also have a Global Senior Plan that is slightly more affordable than the Cigna Senior Plan. However, most of their coverage benefits have limits on them, such as a US$400 per day and 60-day maximum for hospitalization treatments. 

Some of the other major differences include the age maximum and benefits limit. The IMG Senior Plan has a maximum age limit of 74 and a limit of US$250,000 per period of coverage or a US$1,000,000 lifetime maximum. 

They also offer coverage for pre-existing conditions up to US$5,000 annually. However, they do not cover COVID-19, vaccinations, and pandemics. 

If you are relatively healthy with no major pre-existing illnesses, IMG could be an alternative at a lower price range for global senior health insurance. 

William Russell

William Russell is another well-known global healthcare provider. While they don’t offer a specialized plan for individuals over 60, their standard plans extend coverage up to 76 years of age. In terms of benefits and coverage options, both Cigna Global and William Russell are comparable, offering comprehensive services including full cancer care and management of chronic conditions.

However, there are distinct differences between the two providers. For instance, William Russell’s coverage in the USA is limited to 90 days. Additionally, their annual limit starts at US$1,500,000 making the overall premium slightly higher compared to Cigna.

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