Cigna vs. Blue Cross Blue Shield (2026 Comparison)

BCBS is available in more than three times the number of states compared to Cigna, and there aren’t any states where Cigna is available that BCBS isn’t. Cigna also has more limited plan options, selling only HMO and EPO plans, while BCBS adds EPO and PPO to its mix.

• HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): You’ll need to choose a primary care physician (PCP) who coordinates your care and provides referrals to specialists. Coverage is limited to in-network providers except in emergencies.
• POS (Point of Service): Combines features of HMO and PPO plans. You’ll need a PCP and referrals for specialists, but you can see out-of-network providers at a higher cost.
• EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization): Doesn’t require a PCP or referrals to see specialists. However, coverage is restricted to in-network providers, except for emergencies.
• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Offers the most flexibility. You can see specialists without referrals and visit out-of-network providers, usually at a higher cost than in-network care.

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the most affordable HMO plans at $609 per month on average, beating both Cigna's $756 rate and the national average of $678. Cigna is cheaper for EPO coverage at $753 per month compared to BCBS's $854, though both exceed the $731 national average. BCBS is the only carrier between the two offering POS plans at $720 monthly, which falls below the $767 national average. BCBS also provides PPO options at $803 per month, slightly above the $724 national benchmark.

Your best value depends on your preferred plan type. BCBS delivers stronger savings for HMO and POS coverage, while Cigna is more affordable for EPO plans. BCBS's broader plan selection gives you more options to find competitive rates across different network structures.

Blue Cross Blue Shield outperforms Cigna across all customer experience metrics. BCBS earns higher Quality Rating System (QRS) scores in overall performance, Medical care quality and plan administration. BCBS excels particularly in member experience with a score above 95, compared to Cigna's 93.59, showing stronger customer satisfaction and service delivery. BCBS approves claims more frequently as well, with a 19% denial rate vs. Cigna's 23% average.

Cigna has cheaper Medicare Supplement premiums than BCBS across most plan types for both 65-year-olds and 75-year-olds, particularly for Plans A, B, C and D. Plans G and N are also competitively priced, with Cigna coming in slightly below or close to BCBS. One notable exception is Plan F, where BCBS is more affordable at both ages.

BCBS, however, provides a broader selection of plans, including K, L and M, which Cigna doesn’t offer. While Cigna may have a pricing edge on many core plans, BCBS stands out for plan variety, giving you more options to meet your coverage needs and budget.

Cigna offers more $0 premium plans than Blue Cross Blue Shield across all plan types. More than 80% of Cigna's HMO and PPO plans charge nothing beyond your Part B premium, while only half BCBS’s HMO plans and one-third of their PPO plans have no premium. Cigna's average monthly costs are also cheaper where premiums are charged.

BCBS has lower out-of-pocket maximums for HMO and PPO plans, at $293 less annually for HMO plans and $289 less for PPO plans. Cigna's HMO-POS plans carry lower MOOP limits, however, running  $171 less than BCBS options. You'll pay less upfront with Cigna through lower or eliminated premiums, but BCBS caps your annual spending at lower levels if you need significant medical care.

Blue Cross Blue Shield earns higher overall quality ratings, led by strong PPO performance at 3.76 stars compared to Cigna's 3.01 average. BCBS also rates higher for HMO-POS plans at 4.09 stars versus Cigna's 3.96. Cigna edges slightly ahead in standard HMO plans with 3.77 stars compared to BCBS's 3.73.