Please be advised that the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services (“CMS”) issued the following notice regarding the Quality Care Health Plan through Cigna:
"Effective January 1, 2014, the Cigna provider network has changed. In portions of Illinois, the HealthLink, Midland Choice and PHCS networks, which Cigna has been utilizing, may be replaced by the Cigna provider networks. Cigna is actively negotiating with the affected providers in an effort to contract directly with those providers. Due to this change, it is possible that a member’s doctor may no longer participate in the Cigna network. Covered services will then be paid at the out-of-network level if the member continues to receive services from the out-of-network provider.
Members may be eligible for Continuity of Care benefits which allows eligible plan participants to continue to receive health services at the in-network benefit levels for certain medical conditions. To find out more about Continuity of Care benefits, members should call Cigna at 1-800-962-0051 and let the customer service associate know you are in the middle of treatment.
Be aware that networks always have the potential to change. These network changes are not considered a qualifying change in status which would allow a carrier change."
CMS noted that several medical facilities throughout the state are impacted, including Carle Physicians Group. If you are a patient of a Carle Physicians Group doctor or any other impacted medical provider, then your doctor may no longer be participating in the Cigna provider network as of January 1, 2014. You may need to contact Cigna to find a new network doctor. If you visit an out-of-network doctor, you will be charged the higher out-of-network cost. To verify if there is any change in network status for your provider, call your provider directly or call Cigna at 1-800-962-0051.
If you are impacted by this change in the middle of medical treatment, call Cigna (1-800-962-0051) to find out if you are eligible for Continuity of Care benefits.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Questions?
Call Cigna at 1-800-962-0051.
