Answers to Your Questions About Cigna's Preferred Care Management

Preferred Care Management will be added to the Cigna Open Access Plus (OAP) and Open Access Plus In-Network (OAPIN) medical plans in 2026. If you are currently enrolled in a Cigna medical plan, your enrollment for 2026 will default to a Cigna medical plan with Preferred Care Management. Under this program, your doctor or medical provider must obtain prior authorization from Cigna before ordering certain procedures. Preferred Care Management offers patients the support of a nurse advocate to make navigating care simpler and to provide an added layer of support. Learn more about Preferred Care Management.

Cigna medical plans without Preferred Care Management remain available with a 7 percent increase in employee cost share. 

The most common questions and answers regarding Cigna’s Preferred Care Management follow:

Q:   I am Medicare-eligible and enrolled in the Indemnity/Medicare Supplement plan. Will I be enrolled in Preferred Care Management?
A:   No, the Preferred Care Management program does not apply to you. The program does not apply to those enrolled in the Indemnity/Medicare Supplemental plan.

Q:   Does managed care require me to get a referral every time I go to the doctor?
A:   No, referrals are not required for any MCPS-provided Cigna medical plan, including those with Preferred Care Management.

Q:  Does the 7 percent cost increase apply to everyone?
A:  No. If you are enrolled in either the Cigna OAP or OAPIN plan, you will be defaulted into the same plan in 2026, with Preferred Care Management added. With Preferred Care Management, you will avoid the 7 percent cost increase.
If you prefer to not participate in Preferred Care Management, you can elect a Cigna plan without it on your enrollment form, and the 7 percent cost increase will be applied.

Q:  If I am seeing a specialist currently, can I continue seeing that doctor if I default to Preferred Care Management?
A:  Yes. Referrals are not required with Preferred Care Management.

Q:  I am diabetic and take Ozempic for diabetes. Will I have to stop taking it?
A:  No. The Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Agonists (GLP-1) program is to ensure the appropriate use of GLP-1 medications, which are used primarily to treat diabetes. Weight loss specific medications have been and will continue to be offered.