Cigna Medicare Advantage Notice

WakeMed values the opportunity to be your partner in health and a part of your health care team.

We would like to make you aware that as of midnight on December 31, 2024, WakeMed will be out-of-network with Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans: Cigna Courage Medicare (HMO), Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO), Cigna Preferred Plus Medicare (HMO), Cigna Preferred Savings Medicare (HMO), Cigna Preferred Select Medicare (HMO), Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP), Cigna TotalCare Plus (HMO D-SNP) and Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO).

As you may be aware, Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans are being acquired by Health Care Services Corporation (HCSC). Since this acquisition was announced, WakeMed has been working diligently to determine what this transition will mean for our patients. Unfortunately, Cigna has, to date, been unable to provide the assurances needed by WakeMed to allow the provider contract to be assigned to HCSC. WakeMed has requested reasonable written assurances that would protect your coverage and the care we are able to provide. Additionally, Cigna Medicare is not following the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) guidelines for approving hospital admissions from the emergency department, which is causing a financial impact to patients.

Cigna Medicare Advantage Patients

Please note that after December 31, 2024, you can still receive emergency care at WakeMed. If you have scheduled services at a WakeMed provider on or after January 1, 2025, please contact Cigna Medicare to determine if they will issue a prior authorization to allow your care to be delivered on an out-of-network basis. Your out-of-pocket costs may be higher for care obtained on an out-of-network basis.

Cigna may also cover certain conditions for which you are already receiving care and certain chronic conditions through continuity of care provisions. Additionally, under the No Surprises Act, you may be able to receive care at WakeMed at the in-network benefit level with prior authorization from Cigna. The same holds true for certain plans where there is no difference between in- and out-of-network benefits (e.g. the Wake County retiree plan).

You may also receive a letter from Cigna explaining the fact that WakeMed’s Medicare contract is ending December 31, 2024. We continue working to resolve this issue and are hopeful that an agreement can be reached in the very near future. We will provide additional updates as needed if the situation is resolved.

If you have questions related to your insurance plan, you may contact WakeMed Customer Service at 919-350-8359. We also encourage you to call Cigna with any concerns you may have using the member contact information on the reverse side of your Cigna Medicare identification card.

Thank you for choosing WakeMed.