Cigna care options while traveling

Urgent and emergency care coverage

Now when you get urgent or emergency care outside of a Kaiser Permanente state, you won’t pay anything upfront if it’s with a Cigna PPO Network provider.1, 2, 3

View eligible Cigna states

How to get care from a Cigna provider

You have more ways than ever to get care when you need it. For urgent or emergency care while you’re away from home, you can now visit any Cigna PPO Network provider without filing a claim for reimbursement.2, 3

Learn more about your Cigna care options below and visit kp.org/travel to review other urgent care options, including MinuteClinic and Concentra.4

When to use a Cigna provider

You can use the Cigna provider network when you need urgent or emergency care in a non-Kaiser Permanente state. In some cases, Kaiser Permanente may also authorize follow-up care with a Cigna provider if it’s medically necessary.

If you’re in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, or Washington, D.C., you should seek care at a Kaiser Permanente whenever possible. But if you believe you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. You’re covered for urgent and emergency care anywhere in the world.2

You’re covered for urgent and emergency care anywhere in the world. But when you get urgent or emergency care from a Cigna PPO Network provider in a non-Kaiser Permanente state and show your digital ID card, you won’t pay anything at your visit. You’ll just get a bill later for your normal copay or coinsurance.

The Cigna PPO provider network is meant for urgent or emergency care when you’re traveling in non-Kaiser Permanente states. If you visit a Cigna provider for urgent or emergency care in a Kaiser Permanente state, you’ll need to pay the full cost of care at your visit and submit a claim for reimbursement later.

If you’re in a Kaiser Permanente state, you should get care from Kaiser Permanente whenever possible. But if you believe you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.2

How to get care from a Cigna provider

Visit Cigna’s directory page to find a provider near you:

  • Select “PPO Network” if asked for a plan type.
  • Enter the address, city, or ZIP code of where you need care.
  • Select “Health Facilities.”
  • Choose “Hospitals and Medical Centers” or “Urgent Care Facility” from the list of options, depending on what kind of care you need.

When you arrive for your visit, show your Kaiser Permanente digital ID card, available in our app. Cigna provider information has been added to all eligible digital ID cards.

We recommend downloading the app now, before you need it. And if you haven’t already created an online account, visit kp.org/registernow to get started.

Within the U.S.: If you or a family member enrolled in Kaiser Permanente coverage has a medical emergency, get care immediately. You don’t need to call Kaiser Permanente or get approval first. Here’s what to do:

  • Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. Always use the emergency services available where you are.
  • If you get care from a non–Kaiser Permanente facility, call us once your condition is stable.
  • Let us know if you’ve received emergency care or have been admitted to a hospital. If appropriate, the doctor treating you can call us.

Outside the U.S.: Immediately go to the nearest hospital or any care facility. Kaiser Permanente won’t be able to help manage your care until your emergency is under control or being managed by a doctor. 

  • Once you get emergency care, call 1-888-859-08805 when your condition is stable. If you’re a member in Southern California, call 1-800-225-8883.6 Let us know if you’ve received emergency care or have been admitted to a hospital. If appropriate, the doctor treating you can call us. We have interpreter services for doctors who don’t speak English.
  • We’ll discuss your condition and health plan coverage with the doctor treating you and determine the next steps.
  • If you need significant medical care, treatment, or hospitalization while traveling internationally, a vendor will work with your Kaiser Permanente regional care team and claims department.
  • When you return to the U.S., notify your personal doctor about emergency care your received or if you were hospitalized.

Your health record will not update automatically when you get care from a non–Kaiser Permanente provider. Notify your personal doctor about any care you received while traveling, especially if you require follow-up care when you return home.

Costs for care

  • If you get urgent or emergency care from a Cigna PPO Network provider in a non-Kaiser Permanente state, you won’t have to pay upfront. The provider will mail you a bill for your normal copay or coinsurance later.
  • If you have a DHMO plan, you’ll still need to meet your deductible before Kaiser Permanente covers more of your urgent and emergency care costs. You can track your deductible at kp.org.

You’ll need to pay the full cost for care at your visit, but you can submit a claim for reimbursement of covered services later. Be sure to save copies of any itemized bills, medical records, and proof of payment. The provider may bill you for the difference between their charges and what Kaiser Permanente covers.

You can get your prescriptions filled at any licensed pharmacy while you’re traveling, including refills. You’ll just need to pay out of pocket and submit a claim for reimbursement later.

We’re here to help

For help or more information about your travel coverage, call 951-268-3900 (TTY 711).7


 

Reviewed: July 2022

© 2022 Kaiser Permanente

 

1 The Cigna PPO Network refers to the health care providers (doctors, hospitals, specialists) contracted as part of the Cigna PPO for Shared Administration.

2 If you believe you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. For the complete definition of an emergency medical condition, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or other coverage documents.

3 At non–Kaiser Permanente pharmacies, members may need to pay for prescriptions upfront and file a claim for reimbursement later.

4 Cigna, MinuteClinic, and Concentra coverage varies by plan.

5 This number can be dialed from both inside and outside the U.S. Before the phone number, dial “001” for landlines and “+1” for mobile lines if you’re outside the country. Long-distance charges may apply, and we can’t accept collect calls.

6 For specific timing considerations, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or other coverage documents.

7 This number can be dialed inside and outside the U.S. Before the phone number, dial “001” for landlines and “+1” for mobile lines if you’re outside the country. Long-distance charges may apply, and we can’t accept collect calls. The phone line is closed on major holidays (New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). It closes early the day before a holiday at 10 p.m. Pacific time (PT), and it reopens the day after a holiday at 4 a.m. PT.

 

Cigna is an independent company and not affiliated with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and its subsidiary health plans. Access to the Cigna PPO Network is available through Cigna’s contractual relationship with the Kaiser Permanente health plans. The Cigna PPO Network is provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc.