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Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening between Mount Sinai and Cigna?

We are actively working in good faith with Cigna to reach a new agreement before our current contract expires on Friday, January 31. We are doing everything we can to stay in Cigna’s network and maintain your in-network access to the physicians and services you depend on.

In the event our contract expires before an agreement is reached, we may be out of Cigna’s network starting on Saturday, February 1, for patients who obtain their health insurance through an employer.

What happens if the contract expires?

In the event our contract expires before an agreement is reached, we may be out of Cigna’s network starting on Saturday, February 1, for patients who obtain their health insurance through an employer.

This could cause you to pay more out of pocket to continue receiving health care from the Mount Sinai providers you trust, or you would need to use out-of-network benefits if available.

Why is Mount Sinai in negotiations with Cigna? Why can’t they come to an agreement?

Our current contract with Cigna will expire on Friday, January 31. Neither Cigna nor Mount Sinai is terminating the contract. This expiration date was built into our current agreement. Negotiations like these are a normal part of our business relationships with all insurance companies. We hope to reach an agreement before our contract expires, but we want you to be prepared in case we are unsuccessful.

Which insurance plans would be affected by the contract expiration?

This will affect patients with Cigna plans who obtain their Cigna health insurance through an employer. A network change could cause you to pay more out of pocket in order to continue receiving health care from the Mount Sinai providers you trust.

Does this also apply to Medicare Advantage plans?

Medicare Advantage plans are part of a different agreement between Mount Sinai and Cigna. While we are continuing to evaluate our Medicare Advantage plans across our system, as of today, we are not negotiating over our Cigna Medicare Advantage plan.

When would Cigna consider Mount Sinai services, physicians and facilities out-of-network?

In the event our contract expires before an agreement is reached, we may be out of Cigna’s network starting on Saturday, February 1, for patients who obtain their Cigna health insurance through their employer.

I have a Cigna insurance plan through my employer. Will I still be able to receive care from Mount Sinai if your contract with Cigna isn’t renewed before Saturday, February 1?

Yes, but Cigna may not cover it, or you may have to pay more for your care. At Mount Sinai, we believe every patient deserves top-quality health care from the doctors, nurses, and teams they trust. Mount Sinai will continue to care for you regardless of insurance status. However, your Cigna benefit plan may require you to pay for a greater portion of your care out of pocket. Contact Cigna at the number on the back of your ID card to verify what your out-of-pocket responsibility would be.

Please know that if you need emergency care, regardless of your insurance status, you should continue to come to our Emergency Departments no matter what. Emergency care is always covered, no matter our contract status with Cigna.

Will emergency care still be covered in network?

Yes. All insurance companies are required to process emergency claims as if you were in network, so rest assured that you can always receive emergency care in Mount Sinai’s emergency rooms.

Where can I find out more information?

Call Mount Sinai’s dedicated community information line at 833-623-1258.

What can I do to protect my access to care at Mount Sinai?

To protect your right to continue receiving covered care at Mount Sinai:

  • Keep all scheduled appointments and procedures with Mount Sinai, and don’t delay routine health screenings, procedures, or tests important to your health.
  • Call Cigna at the number on the back of your insurance card and let them know you want to keep insurance coverage for the Mount Sinai providers and services you know and trust.
  • Talk to your Human Resources or Benefits Department and urge them to contact Cigna.   
  • Go to mountsinai.org/about/insurance to view the list of insurance companies with which Mount Sinai contracts.

Will my out-of-pocket cost increase if Mount Sinai’s contract with Cigna expires?

It will be up to Cigna to determine what portion of the balance they will cover and what portion they will ask you to pay out of pocket. Cigna will likely choose to cover a smaller portion of the balance once they no longer consider Mount Sinai part of their network.

However, concerning emergency services, under federal law, your out-of-pocket costs must be no different than if you had been treated at an in-network facility.

Does this also apply to Medicare Advantage plans?

Medicare Advantage plans are part of a different agreement between Mount Sinai and Cigna. Effective Wednesday, January 1, we will be ending participation in Cigna’s Medicare Advantage network. If you’d like to talk with someone about your care at Mount Sinai, contact Mount Sinai’s community information line at 833-623-1258. You can also visit choosemountsinai.org to learn more.

Contract Negotiation Glossary

The following are commonly used words in health care and insurance provider contract negotiations:

  • Commercial Insurance: health insurance provided by a private company or entity, such as an employer.
  • Copay: a payment made by an insured patient toward the cost of medical services.
  • Insurance network: the doctors, other health care providers, and hospitals that a health insurance plan contracts with to provide medical care to its members.
  • Insurance plan: financial protection issued by an insurer that pays for or reimburses the cost of receiving care.
  • Network termination: when a health care provider no longer participates in an insurance provider’s insurance network.
  • Out-of-network: when a health care provider does not participate in a health plan’s network of providers.
  • Out-of-pocket: medical care costs that are not reimbursed by insurance.

Have a question that’s not answered here? Contact our dedicated community information line at 833-623-1258.