Cigna vs UnitedHealthcare

McCall Martin
McCall Martin | Senior Editor

You want to buy a medical plan from a trusted health insurer. It's hard to go wrong when choosing between Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. Cigna and UnitedHealthcare offer a wide variety of health insurance plans including plans for individuals and families, Medicare, international health insurance, and plans that employers can offer employees. 

UnitedHealthcare stands out from Cigna for its student health insurance plans, while Cigna stands out for its Healthy Rewards® program.

Since plan costs and details vary health plan to health plan and there is some regional variability, it's worth comparing coverage plans from each insurance carrier before making a final decision.

Cigna logo
#12 Cigna
5.3 Overall Score
2.6
star star star_half star_border star_border
(338)
UnitedHealthcare logo
#5 UnitedHealthcare
7.2 Overall Score
3.1
star star star star_border star_border
(550)

Overview

Cigna

Health Plan Options

Customer Service Options

Perks and Support Programs

Time in Business

Undisclosed

UnitedHealthcare

Undisclosed

Ratings

Cigna

Overall Score
5.3 of 10
Review Score
2.6
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Value for Money
2.5
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Quality of Product or Service
2.5
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Company Trustworthiness
2.5
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Likely to Recommend
2.9 of 10

UnitedHealthcare

7.2 of 10
3.1
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3.0
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3.0
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3.0
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4.6 of 10

Reviews

Cigna

Number of Reviews
338
Review Breakdown
2.6
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1 star
49%
2 star
6%
3 star
9%
4 star
15%
5 star
22%

UnitedHealthcare

550
3.1
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1 star
36%
2 star
6%
3 star
6%
4 star
19%
5 star
33%

Reviews for Cigna

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Heather H

April 27th, 2023

DETAILS

Cigna is an excellent company with decent in-network coverage as well as healthcare providers that widely accept Cigna. The transition my company made to Cigna coverage was exceptionally smooth and transparent.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Wendel Croft

December 1st, 2023

DETAILS

In 2023 my wife and I had Cigna Dental insurance. Absolutely horrendous company to do business with. They constantly look to deny and if that doesn’t fly they will absolutely nickel and dime. The dentist (Cigna preferred ) has actually withdrawn from accepting any Cigna dental insurance in 2024. Worst of the worst and frequently give incomplete and/or inaccurate information Best advise I can give - pick another company- they are truly awful

Reviews for UnitedHealthcare

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Tana Tuggle

November 28th, 2023

DETAILS

I had United Healthcare for 5 years and I must say, I had nothing but good experiences with this company. I noticed when my primary care doctor would need authorization from the company to send me to a specialist, (nose, ear, throat doctor, pulmonary specialist etc.) I would get quick feedback, every specialist that I have seen, there was never a problem with my referrals. Since I had to see quite a few specialist, along with taking test constantly, I never had to cancel an appointment due to no referral from United HealthCare. Great Company!!!

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Linda Davis

December 3rd, 2023

DETAILS

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Review Source

United healthcare almost killed me. They did not authorize my medication ozympic that I was on I had to get insulin and I didn't still pay for that either This is a Crappy company. They will kill you if you're diabetic. The sales people and the people that help you will lie to you. They say they'll call you back and they will not. Then you get ready to take the survey and they will disconnect a call. When you cannot do a survey, Over the phone they will hanging upon you. Their Trifling I HATE this company.

The Final Word

Cigna offers its members helpful tools, resources, and incentive programs with many of its health plans. Cigna members can view claims, find in-network providers, and more through their online account. They can also access this account with a mobile app.

Cigna also includes telehealth with many of its plans for free. This service allows patients to work with doctors remotely through video chat or over the phone. This service is convenient because it means that you don't always have to meet with your primary care physician if you have a question or need non-emergency medical advice.

Many of Cigna's plans also include participation in its HealthyRewards® discount program. This program offers discounts on products related to nutrition, vitamins, fitness, alternative medicine, and more.

UnitedHealthcare also offers its members an online account and a mobile app to help them manage their health care. It also has programs to support its members with starting and keeping healthy habits. These include programs for dealing with addiction, weight loss, and maternity.

UnitedHealthcare members can also access non-emergency care and advice via video chat. Its program is called Virtual Visits and is included with many of its plans. Virtual Visits can be more convenient than scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor and going to a clinic when minor health concerns arise.

UnitedHealthcare also offers student health plans. For those interested in plans geared for students, UnitedHealthcare is a good option.

Both UnitedHealthcare and Cigna offer additional insurance products. UnitedHealthcare offers dental insurance, vision insurance, hospitalization insurance, term life insurance, accident insurance, and critical illness insurance.

Cigna offers lump sum heart attack and stroke, lump sum cancer, cancer treatment, whole life, and dental insurance. These additional offerings are beneficial if you're looking for additional insurance coverage.

While the additional benefits included with each plan are a little different with each insurer, you should also consider the coverage and costs of health plans offered by each health insurance company before enrolling in a health plan.

Top Choice

UnitedHealthcare Logo
UnitedHealthcare

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