Cigna Healthcare vs. Kaiser Permanente
- Cigna Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente are two of the top insurance companies in the U.S. that offer Medicare plans. Our review will help you compare Cigna Healthcare vs. Kaiser Medicare plans.
Cigna Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente are insurance companies that each offer types of private Medicare health insurance plans. So how do these competitors stack up against one another?
Kaiser Permanente: Patient-Focused HMO Medicare Health Plans
One difference between Medicare Advantage plans from Cigna Healthcare and those from Kaiser Permanente is that Kaiser Medicare plans tend to be more HMO-focused.
While the company offers other types of Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) coverage, such as PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans, HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans are a more common plan offering.
An HMO Medicare Advantage plan tends to be more patient-focused and emphasizes preventive care with a team-oriented integrated care approach.
- In an HMO plan, you’ll utilize a primary care physician (PCP) who you see for all initial appointments.
- If the primary care physician decides additional tests are needed or that you need specialized care, they will coordinate with a team of specialists and other health care providers within the plan’s network to set you up with an appointment.
HMO plans are a type of managed care designed to reward participating providers who achieve good health outcomes among their members.
Kaiser Permanente owns its own health care facilities and employs their own doctors in some areas. It’s like a medical facility and health insurance plan all in one.
Cigna Healthcare, on the other hand, offers HMO plans, PPO plans and other types of Medicare Advantage plans and does not own its own health care facilities or employ its own doctors.
Cigna Healthcare: Medicare Plans Available in Many Parts of the U.S.
Cigna Healthcare offers Medicare plans all over the U.S., and Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage plans are accepted by a wide range of hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, pharmacies and more. In 2024, Cigna Healthcare offered Medicare Advantage plans in 603 counties.
Kaiser Permanente vs. Cigna Healthcare: Coverage Differences
Both Kaiser Permanente and Cigna Healthcare offer individual and family health insurance plans, dental and vision plans, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans.
Cigna Healthcare distinguishes itself by offering a wider variety of supplemental insurance policies, such as Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans.
Quality Comparison
While Cigna Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente have their differences in coverage options, locations served and core operations, one thing they share is strong financial and quality ratings from leading credit rating agency, Fitch:
- Cigna Healthcare: A+ rating from Fitch
- Kaiser Permanente: AA- rating from Fitch
Every year, Medicare evaluates Medicare Advantage plans based on a 5-star rating system. For 2025, Cigna Healthcare estimates 67% of their Medicare Advantage plan members are in plans rated 4 stars or higher by Medicare.
Customer Service and Ease of Use
Both Cigna Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente have mobile apps available for both Apple and Android devices where members can check their benefits, file claims, pay bills and more.
Both companies provide a live online chat feature where members can speak to a representative along with email and phone support. Cigna Healthcare offers 24/7 phone support, while Kaiser Permanente customer support is available by phone from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Verdict
Kaiser Permanente offers a patient-focused approach to care, but with fewer products available in fewer markets.
Cigna Healthcare has a more diverse portfolio of policies and a larger coverage area.
Both Cigna Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente boast strong financial and quality ratings along with dedicated customer service and ease of use.
If you live in one of the select markets serviced by Kaiser Permanente and prefer the managed care strategy, Kaiser may be a strong choice for you.
If you prefer more choice in coverage and health care providers, Cigna Healthcare may the insurance company for you.
Helpadvisor.com is owned and operated by Tranzact, the parent company of TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, which is the owner/operator of Medicareadvantage.com and other websites mentioned on HelpAdvisor and which has a financial relationship with some of the carriers listed on HelpAdvisor. This may influence which products we write about, but HelpAdvisor maintains editorial independence, and our opinions and evaluations are our own.
