Global Health Coverage: Cigna vs Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions
Explore the differences between Cigna Global and GeoBlue Xplorer to find the ideal international health insurance for your needs.
Compare Cigna Global and BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
Cigna Global Health Options and BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier are two of the top international health insurance plans for you to consider. These are two of the most popular we offer, and both are high-quality choices for individuals and families planning to live abroad.
To choose the right plan, consider your individual and family healthcare needs, as well as whether your plan provides coverage in the destination or destinations where you will reside and/or intend to visit.
Broadly speaking, Worldwide Premier is the most comprehensive plan we offer, with the maximum amount of coverage. Cigna Global is a more basic plan that allows members to pay only for the benefits they desire, with the option to enhance their coverage with additional modules. Both plans offer coverage worldwide, with the option to include some level of coverage in the United States.
Here is how the two plans compare in the top areas most customers consider when choosing an international health plan.
Geographical Coverage Area
Worldwide Premier provides comprehensive global coverage, including full benefits in the U.S. via the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network. The Worldwide Essential plan offers comprehensive worldwide coverage, excluding the U.S., and is less expensive than the Premier plan. BCBS Global Solutions plans vary in terms of the amount and length of U.S. coverage they offer. Note: The plan is available to U.S. citizens living abroad or foreign nationals residing in the U.S.
Cigna’s Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans offer worldwide coverage, with the option to add coverage in the United States via their healthcare network. Those who do not elect optional U.S. coverage will still receive limited hospitalization benefits if they suffer an accident while visiting the United States for a brief period.
Adding coverage for the United States increases the insurance cost. If you visit the U.S. occasionally, ask your broker about coverage in the U.S. for short visits.
Benefits
The BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier Plan includes inpatient and outpatient care, health and well-being, and medical evacuation. The plan has an unlimited medical maximum. So, it will cover even the most expensive illnesses. The plan also waives the deductible for primary and preventive care services, the basic prescription drug benefit (with a $ 2,500 annual maximum), physical and occupational therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic services. Once the annual deductible is met, the plan pays 100% of inpatient hospital services and accidental dental care costs. BCBS Global Solutions also offers subscribers maternity benefits (after a 12-month waiting period), as well as enhanced prescription, dental, and vision (non-emergency) benefits for an additional cost.
All Cigna Global plans include 100% coverage for inpatient care and essential hospital stays for treatments for conditions such as cancer, mental or behavioral health issues, and addiction. They also cover emergency outpatient treatment resulting from an accident. Additional modules can be added to the core plan as needed for an extra cost. The International Outpatient module covers routine office visits and other preventive care. Other optional modules include Medical Evacuation, Health and Wellness, and Vision and Dental. The various plan levels — Silver, Gold, and Platinum — come with different limits on the maximum coverage available for multiple benefits.
The BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier plan offers unlimited medical benefits. It includes coverage for evacuation, health and well-being, as well as inpatient and outpatient care, which is standard in all plans. Cigna Global’s core plan includes only inpatient benefits. If you want additional benefits, you can add those modules for an extra expense.
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Annual Cost
Premium costs vary widely based on a member’s chosen plan tier, deductible, age, coverage area, and the optional modules included.
The BCBS Global Solutions plans, which are the most comprehensive, include access to a premium global network of doctors and hospitals and may initially cost more than other plans. However, once you review the benefits and coverage, you will find that their plans are comparable in price to the best plans available through different providers. Options, such as choosing a higher deductible or excluding coverage in the U.S., can help reduce your monthly premium.
Cigna’s plans are customizable, allowing members to only pay for the necessary benefits. Their core coverage, including outpatient benefits, may initially appear less expensive. However, if you need a more comprehensive plan, you can add optional modules at an additional cost. The Cigna Global Gold Plan, with all optional modules, will be comparable in price to the BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier plan. Member discounts are available when you pay quarterly or annually.
The BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier plan can be more expensive due to its comprehensive coverage. The average policy costs between $5,000 and $7,000. Cigna Global’s plans cost about the same, with all of the modules included. Some clients choose not to include all modules, which lowers the costs to an average of $4,000-$6,000.
Deductibles and Annual Benefit Limits
All BCBS Global Solutions plans include unlimited annual and lifetime benefits, and members do not pay a deductible for standard services such as office visits, preventative care, and outpatient prescriptions. For services subject to a deductible, BCBS Global Solutions plans offer multiple options ranging from $0 to $10,000.
All Cigna Global plans include cost-sharing options and annual deductibles that range from $0 to $10,000. The yearly maximum benefit limits increase between each plan tier: $1 million for Silver, $2 million for Gold, and unlimited for Platinum. Members can adjust the cost of their annual premiums by selecting plan level, deductible, and cost-sharing options that best suit their budget.
Opting for a higher insurance deductible can be a wise choice, as it may potentially save you money in the long run. If you typically stay healthy and don’t require frequent doctor visits, the trade-off of lower premiums could be more financially beneficial.
Telehealth Services
BCBS Global Solutions offers members unlimited telehealth services via the Global TeleMD mobile app. The app can also be used to locate providers, submit and review claims, provide medical translations and medication equivalents, and offers many other features.
Cigna Global members can use the Cigna Wellbeing app to access Cigna’s Global Telehealth service, which offers access to licensed doctors worldwide for non-emergency health issues. There are no limits, deductibles, or cost-share payments for telehealth consultations.
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Customer Service and Support
Members have access to BCBS Global Solutions’ in-house medical assistance team 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, either by phone or via the mobile app. The team helps members find elite providers and arrange for direct billing. Members have 90 days to submit a claim online, via the mobile app, or by mail if they visit an in-network provider without pre-authorization from BCBS Global Solutions.
Cigna Global’s Customer Care Team is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Representatives can help connect customers with local providers and medical facilities. Alternatively, Cigna’s dedicated member site provides an in-network directory of hospitals, clinics, and doctors for policyholders to use.
Working with us ensures you benefit from our expertise in tailoring a personalized plan to your needs, with the assurance of continuous support, advocacy, and assistance throughout the entire policy period.
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All Cigna Global and Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions Worldwide Premier plans are subject to specific eligibility requirements and geographic distinctions. To learn more, please visit and review our detailed Cigna Global and BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier product pages.
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Mackenzie is the Director of User Experience at ICI, creating intuitive, user-centered digital solutions for global insurance clients. With expertise in UX design and content strategy, she simplifies complex offerings to improve accessibility for expatriates, travelers, and international employers.
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