Cigna vs UnitedHealthcare
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top health insurance picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Cigna
Ranked #5 of 15 in this directory
Global health insurer with strong employer plans and behavioral health coverage
UnitedHealthcare
Ranked #2 of 15 in this directory
The largest health insurer in the US serving employer and individual markets
Our pick: UnitedHealthcare. Our editors rank UnitedHealthcare 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
| Cigna | UnitedHealthcare | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Employer | Employer |
| Editorial rank | #5 of 15 | #2 of 15 |
Strengths
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
UnitedHealthcare
- ✓Largest provider network in the US with access to most doctors and hospitals
- ✓Comprehensive range of plan types from HMO to PPO to high-deductible
- ✓Strong digital tools including the myUHC app for claims and benefits management
- ✓Available in most states across marketplace, employer, and government programs
- ✓Integrated wellness programs and telehealth through Optum
Watch out for
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
UnitedHealthcare
- !Large size can result in bureaucratic claims processes
- !Customer service experiences are inconsistent across regions
- !Prior authorization requirements can delay care approvals
- !Premiums can be higher than regional competitors in some markets
Best use cases
Cigna
- →Employer wanting strong mental health benefits for employees
- →Multinational company needing international health coverage
- →Organization seeking integrated health and pharmacy benefit management
UnitedHealthcare
- →Large employer seeking a national health plan with broad network coverage
- →Individual wanting access to the widest possible provider network
- →Medicare-eligible senior looking for Medicare Advantage options
About each tool
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.
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is the largest health insurance company in the United States by enrollment, serving over 50 million members through employer-sponsored, individual, Medicare, and Medicaid plans. The company offers one of the broadest provider networks in the country and leverages its parent company UnitedHealth Group's technology and data capabilities to deliver integrated health services. UnitedHealthcare plans are available in most states through the ACA marketplace, and the company is a leading provider of employer-sponsored group health insurance.
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