Summary
The company of which BCBSTX is a division and The Cigna Group entered into a definitive agreement whereby it will acquire Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage, Supplemental Benefits, Medicare Part D and CareAllies businesses. We expect the transaction to be completed in the first quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and required regulatory approvals
FAQs
Check the following FAQs addressing provider questions about the acquisition.
General |
Q. Are BCBSTX Medicare members’ or Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage customers’ plan benefits changing? A: Members’ and customers’ plan benefits selected during the annual enrollment period for 2025 will not change in 2025. |
Q.: Since the annual enrollment period for 2025 will occur before the transaction is finalized, what happens to customers or members who purchase Cigna Healthcare or BCBSTX Medicare Advantage plans during 2025 annual enrollment? A: Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage businesses and HCSC remain separate companies until the transaction is finalized. Since the transaction is expected to close in 2025, each company will operate independently and sell their respective products through the annual enrollment period from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2024. People who purchase Cigna Healthcare or BCBSTX plans during open enrollment will remain enrolled in and covered by the BCBSTX or Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage plan they selected for the duration of the 2025 plan year. |
Q: Although plan benefits remain the same, will anything else change for 2025? A: Both companies regularly update their business processes and technology throughout the year. If these types of regular operational updates take place, we will keep you informed of any changes impacting you or your business. Please regularly read News & Updates and Blue Review for the latest news from BCBSTX. For Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage updates, see their provider newsroom. |
Q: What will happen in 2026? A: We will keep you posted on any changes impacting the 2026 plan year. Please regularly read News & Updates and Blue Review for the updates from BCBSTX. For Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage updates, see their provider newsroom. |
Information Sources |
Q: Where do I go for information about caring for these customers and members? A: For Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage customers, go to the Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage provider website For BCBSTX members, go to the BCBSTX website. For the latest information, please regularly read News & Updates and Blue Review for the updates from BCBSTX. For Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage updates, see their provider newsroom. |
Q: What if I have questions about a member’s or customer’s care? A: If you have questions, please call the number on the member’s or customer’s ID card. |
Q: Whom do I call for help? A: Provider network contacts for Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage and BCBSTX will remain the same for 2025. For BCBSTX contacts, see our Contact Us page. For Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage, contact your aligned provider relations representative or Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage Provider Customer Service at 1-800.230.6138. We will provide information about 2026 at the appropriate time. |
Behavioral Health |
Q: I’m a behavioral health provider contracted with Evernorth Behavioral Health and provide care to Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage customers. Will my network or processes change as a result of this transaction?? A: You will remain in the Evernorth network. Follow your normal processes for caring for Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage members |
Processes |
Q: How do I know which processes to follow for Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage customers and BCBSTX members? A: When providing services to Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage customers and BCBSTX members:
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Q: Since BCBSTX Medicare business and Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage businesses will be joining together in early 2025, which medical policies, prior authorization and billing processes do I follow? A: Following finalization of this transaction, you should not expect any changes to processes related to medical policies, prior authorization or billing processes as a result of the transaction. For BCBSTX members, follow current BCBSTX processes for providing and billing for care. For Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage customers, follow current Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage processes for providing and billing for care. |
Q: Which provider manuals should I follow? A: Follow BCBSTX provider manuals when caring for BCBSTX members. Follow Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage provider manuals when caring for Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage customers. |
Updated Aug. 30, 2024