Cigna Healthcare Contract Expiration

MUSC Health has spent several months working with Cigna toward a new agreement intended to maintain access to care for patients across South Carolina. During these discussions, Cigna has conditioned an agreement on substantial changes to the way payments for healthcare services are made to MUSC Health. 

MUSC Health and Cigna operate with fundamentally different missions. MUSC Health is a public, mission-driven health system that serves the healthcare needs of South Carolina residents, ensuring statewide access to high-quality care. Cigna operates under a different model as a publicly traded insurance company where coverage decisions are made alongside obligations to generate returns to its shareholders and investors. This is reflected in the company’s reported net income of $6 Billion.

Despite these differences, MUSC Health remains committed to continued discussions with Cigna in an effort to reach an agreement that preserves patients’ access to the full range of services provided by MUSC Health physicians and hospitals.

If an agreement is not reached by June 30, 2026, MUSC Health hospitals and physicians may become out-of-network for Cigna members beginning July 1, 2026.

Patients currently receiving care at MUSC Health should continue to keep scheduled appointments.

If you are currently undergoing active treatment, you may qualify for continuity-of-care protections. Click here for more information about continuity-of-care.

MUSC Health will continue to provide updates as discussions progress.

For any more questions or if you need further assistance, please feel free to email us at planquestions@musc.edu.