Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield vs Cigna
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top health insurance picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Ranked #3 of 15 in this directory
Major Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate serving 14 states with comprehensive plans
Cigna
Ranked #5 of 15 in this directory
Global health insurer with strong employer plans and behavioral health coverage
Our pick: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Our editors rank Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield higher overall in Health Insurance — but Cigna can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield | Cigna | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Employer | Employer |
| Editorial rank | #3 of 15 | #5 of 15 |
Strengths
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- ✓Access to the massive Blue Cross Blue Shield provider network
- ✓Available across 14 states with strong regional presence
- ✓Sydney Health app provides comprehensive digital health management
- ✓Wide range of plan types across individual, group, and government markets
- ✓Strong preventive care programs and wellness incentives
Cigna
- ✓Industry-leading behavioral and mental health coverage
- ✓Express Scripts integration delivers strong pharmacy benefit management
- ✓Excellent international coverage for globally mobile employees
- ✓Comprehensive employer health plan options with flexible designs
- ✓Strong preventive care and wellness program incentives
Watch out for
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- !Only available in its 14 operating states, not nationwide
- !Premium costs can vary significantly by region
- !Claims processing times can be lengthy for complex cases
- !Network adequacy varies between urban and rural areas
Cigna
- !Individual marketplace availability is limited in many states
- !Provider network may be narrower than BCBS or UHC in some regions
- !Customer service wait times can be frustrating
- !Plan complexity can make it difficult to understand actual costs
Best use cases
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- →Employer in Anthem's operating states seeking BCBS-network coverage
- →Individual wanting the security of the Blue Cross Blue Shield brand
- →Family looking for comprehensive marketplace plans with strong digital tools
Cigna
- →Employer wanting strong mental health benefits for employees
- →Multinational company needing international health coverage
- →Organization seeking integrated health and pharmacy benefit management
About each tool
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Anthem is one of the largest health insurers in the US and the biggest affiliate of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving members across 14 states. The company offers a full range of health plans including individual marketplace, employer group, Medicare, and Medicaid coverage. Anthem leverages the trusted Blue Cross Blue Shield brand and its extensive provider network, while investing heavily in digital health tools and virtual care through its Sydney Health app.
Cigna
Cigna is a global health services company serving over 190 million customer relationships worldwide, with particular strength in employer-sponsored health plans and behavioral health coverage. The company merged with Express Scripts to create a combined health insurance and pharmacy benefit management powerhouse. Cigna is known for its focus on whole-person health, including mental health support, and its extensive international coverage for globally mobile employees.
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