Important information for patients with Cigna Insurance Plans
UC Health is continuing negotiations for a new agreement to keep our health care facilities and professionals "in network" with Cigna health plans and preserve access to care. If a new agreement isn't reached, Cigna would exclude UCSF Health from its contracted provider panel for Cigna members starting July 1, 2026.
This change would affect Cigna members across plan types.
For Cigna PPO members, all UCSF Health and UCS Benioff Children's Hospitals, facilities and health care professionals will be considered out-of-network.
For Cigna HMO members with Hill Physicians Medical Group:
Visits to UCSF Medical Group and UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians -- including both primary care and specialty care providers -- will remain in network. However, UCSF Health hospitals and clinics will be considered out of network by Cigna.
Please note: UCSF Health Community Hospitals (Hyde Hospital and Stanyan Hospital) are not affected by these negotiations and will remain in-network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is happening?
A: UC Health, which includes UCSF Health, is in negotiations for a new agreement to keep our health care facilities and professionals “in network” with Cigna health plans and preserve access to care for thousands of Californians. If a new agreement is not reached by midnight on June 30, 2025, UCSF Health’s care facilities and providers; UCSF Medical Center, Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals San Francisco and Oakland, UCSF Medical Group, and UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians, UCSF Clinically Integrated Network (CIN) Medical Group and UCSF GoHealth Urgent Care will no longer be “in network” with Cigna starting on July 1, 2025. For now, nothing is changing as we continue to try to reach a fair agreement to preserve Cigna members’ access to UCSF Health.
Q: What areas of UCSF Health are impacted by this termination?
A: UCSF Health – including UCSF Medical Center, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, UCSF Medical Group, Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital, UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians, UCSF Clinically Integrated Network (CIN) Medical Group and UCSF GoHealth Urgent Care – may be considered out-of-network as of July 1, 2026. UCSF Health Community Hospitals - Hyde and Stanyan - are not in termination and will continue to see patients through their direct and separate agreement with Cigna.
Q: Will UCSF Health have a contract with Cigna again?
A: Good faith negotiations with Cigna continue for updated contract terms that fairly reimburses us for the critical health care services we provide its members.
Q: What does this mean for Cigna PPO members who receive care at UCSF Health?
A: It depends on whether your PPO plan has out-of-network benefits.
Out-of-Network Benefits:
If you have out-of-network benefits under your PPO plan, you may continue to receive care at UCSF, but you will have higher out-of-pocket costs. You will need to contact Cigna directly to learn more about your specific plan benefits.
No Out-of-Network Benefits:
Since your plan does not have out-of-network benefits, we are not able to schedule your appointment(s) without specific forms approved by your insurance. These forms include a Continuity of Care (CoC) form for qualifying conditions, in addition to an authorization to receive care at UCSF. Conditions not meeting CoC but Cigna chooses to authorize to UCSF Health will be paid as in-network.
Patients who believe they qualify for Continuity of Care should complete a CoC Request Form as soon as possible.
Q: What is Continuity of Care?
A: California law provides protections called “Continuity of Care” for certain insurance members so they can continue to access their existing providers and services for a specific period when terminations like this occur. This is called continuity of care, or CoC and applies to chronic conditions (like ongoing cancer treatment), pregnancy, and care for children under the age of 3. If you think you qualify for CoC, we encourage you to complete a CoC form and contact Cigna to understand your options.
Download Cigna continuity of care forms
State law also requires UCSF Health to provide patients with information regarding their continuity of care rights and available regulatory resources.
For HMO members:
“If you have been receiving care from a health care provider, you may have the right to continue care with your current provider for a designated period of time. Patients should contact their health plan’s customer service department for additional information. Patients may also contact the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), which protects HMO consumers, at 1-888-HMO-2219, TDD 1-877-688-9891, or online at www.hmohelp.ca.gov.”
For PO members:
Patients may contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 or visit www.insurance.ca.gov for additional assistance.
Q: What does this mean for Cigna HMO plan participants with a Hill Physicians Medical Group primary care physician?
A: Visits to UCSF Medical Group and UCSF Bay Children’s Physicians (PCPs and specialists) will remain in-network, but UCSF Health hospitals and clinics will be considered out-of-network by Cigna. Patients should contact Hill Physicians Medical Group at (800) 445-5747 for more information.
Q: What does this mean for Cigna HMO plan participants with all other primary care physicians?
A: Cigna members who are part of HMO plans with primary care providers other than Hill Physicians should contact their medical group or Cigna to understand their specific benefits.
Q: What does this mean for Cigna PPO plan participants with all other primary care physicians?
A: All UCSF Medical Center, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and San Francisco, UCSF Medical Group, UCSF Clinically Integrated Network (CIN) Medical Group, UCSF GoHealth Urgent Care and UCSF Bay Children’s Physicians will be considered out-of-network by Cigna. Cigna members who are PPO plan participants should contact Cigna to understand their specific benefits, as many may have out-of-network benefits that they may use at UCSF. If they qualify for continuity of care, they should also complete the appropriate Continuity of Care Request form as soon as they are able.
Q: Are Cigna out-of-state plans impacted?
A: Most patients with this coverage will be impacted by the termination.
Have questions?
For questions about insurance coverage, plan membership, or eligibility for Continuity of Care, please call the customer service number on your Cigna member ID card.
For additional assistance, please contact UCSF Health at (888) 689-8273 or [email protected].