In today’s fast-paced world, convenience and accessibility have become non-negotiable when it comes to health care. Telemedicine—often called virtual care—promises quick, on-demand access to board-certified providers without leaving the comfort of home. Cigna Healthcare, through its partnership with MDLIVE®, offers an optional Virtual Care Add-On that enhances certain plans or serves as a standalone telehealth solution. But is it worth the extra premium or membership fee? In this in-depth review, we’ll unpack what Cigna’s Virtual Care Add-On entails, break down the costs, compare it to alternative telemedicine options, and help you decide whether you should invest in this extra layer of convenience.
Cigna’s Virtual Care Add-On refers to telehealth services delivered via MDLIVE® that can be tacked onto select Cigna plans—or accessed independently in some cases. Through MDLIVE for Cigna Healthcare, members can:
Connect 24/7 with board-certified physicians for urgent care, primary care, mental health, and dermatology issues.
Schedule wellness screenings and receive virtual check-ups at no additional cost when covered as preventive care.
Obtain prescriptions for common medications and have them sent directly to a pharmacy.
Learn more about Cigna’s virtual care offerings on the official Cigna site (Cigna).
How Telemedicine Works
Before diving into costs and benefits, let’s quickly revisit the telemedicine experience:
Log In & Prepare
Access the MDLIVE portal via the myCigna® app or website.
Choose a quiet, private space and ensure your device has a stable internet connection. (Cigna)
Select Service & Provider
Pick your visit type (urgent care, primary care, dermatology, or mental health).
View provider profiles and schedule immediately or select a time.
Conduct the Virtual Visit
Engage in a secure video or phone call.
Discuss symptoms, show any visible concerns (e.g., rash), and answer follow-up questions.
Post-Visit Follow-Up
Receive prescriptions electronically.
Access visit summaries via your patient portal.
Schedule in-person follow-up if necessary.
Cost of Cigna Virtual Care Add-On
One of the most significant considerations is how much you’ll pay for telemedicine services. Costs vary depending on:
Your Cigna plan type (HSA-qualified, HMO, PPO, Medicare Advantage, etc.).
Benefit design (e.g., copay vs. coinsurance vs. deductible).
Standalone membership options, if you don’t have telemedicine included.
Below is a comparative snapshot to help illustrate typical costs:
Plan/Access Method
Member Cost
Notes
Included with Most Cigna Employer Plans
$0 copay for virtual urgent & wellness care¹
Virtual urgent care and preventive wellness screenings often carry a $0 copay for in-network services (Cigna).
HSA-Qualified Plans
Copay/coinsurance or deductible applies²
HSA plans may require you meet your deductible before coverage kicks in (Cigna).
Standalone MDLIVE Membership (Non-Insurance)
$0–$89 per visit; no monthly fee³
No subscription. You pay per appointment, with pricing shown upfront to avoid surprises. Urgent care visits may range up to $89 (mdlive.com).
Third-Party Add-On (e.g., MobileHelp + MDLIVE)
$9.95 per month⁴
Some platforms let you “add on” MDLIVE for a fixed monthly fee (e.g., $9.95) to any plan, with unlimited consults included (mobilehelp.com).
Cigna Preferred Plus Medicare (HMO) Telehealth
$0 copay for telehealth doctor visits⁵⁶
Medicare Advantage plans often waive copays for virtual PCP/specialist visits (Cigna).
¹ Includes select preventive and minor urgent care services. Plan design may vary by state and sponsor.
² Check your Evidence of Coverage or Summary of Benefits & Coverage for exact cost-share details.
³ MDLIVE pay-per-visit pricing depends on service category.
⁴ Not directly through Cigna; independent offering.
⁵ Primary Care & Specialist telehealth visits.
⁶ Part B premium still applies.
Benefits of Telemedicine
Why consider paying extra (or choosing a plan that includes telehealth)? Telemedicine offers multiple advantages:
Convenience & Accessibility
No commute, no waiting room.
Access care 24/7—ideal for after-hours concerns. (Cigna)
Cost Savings
Virtual urgent care visits typically cost less than ER or urgent care center trips.
$0 copay for many Cigna plans for minor conditions, versus higher facility fees. (Cigna)
Continuity of Care
Follow up with the same MDLIVE provider for ongoing issues.
Easy access to specialists (dermatologists, psychiatrists, etc.) without travel delays.
Preventive Screenings
Virtual wellness exams and screenings (e.g., blood pressure, behavioral health check-ins) are often covered preventive benefits.
Reduced Exposure Risks
Avoid crowded waiting areas—especially crucial during flu season or pandemics.
Drawbacks & Considerations
While telemedicine shines for many scenarios, it’s not a panacea:
Scope of Care
Physical exams are limited; some conditions require in-person evaluation or diagnostic tests.
Technology Dependence
Connectivity issues can disrupt appointments.
Requires basic digital literacy and access to a private, quiet space. (Cigna)
Prescription Limitations
MDLIVE cannot prescribe controlled substances, certain psychiatric meds, or schedule II medications.
Plan Variability
Not all Cigna plans include $0 telehealth benefits. Some HSA or indemnity plans may apply deductibles or coinsurance.
Provider Availability
While MDLIVE offers a broad network, wait times may vary for specialized services.
Comparing Virtual Care Options
To gauge whether Cigna’s Virtual Care Add-On delivers the best value, let’s compare it with other popular telemedicine platforms:
Feature
Cigna + MDLIVE
Teladoc
Amwell
Standalone MDLIVE
Integration with Insurance
Deeply integrated; $0 copay on many plans
Available on select insurance plans
Available on select insurance plans
None
Cost Structure
$0 copay or plan cost-share; membership not required
$75–$89 per visit (no subscription)
$79–$129 per visit (no subscription)
$0–$89 per visit (no subscription)
Services Offered
Urgent, primary, dermatology, behavioral health
Urgent care, mental health
Urgent, women’s health, behavioral
Urgent, primary, dermatology, behavioral
24/7 Access
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Provider Network Size
MDLIVE’s national network
Large national network
Large national network
MDLIVE’s national network
Key Takeaway: If you already have a Cigna plan that includes MDLIVE at $0 copay, the add-on premium effectively is zero—meaning you access telemedicine at no extra direct cost beyond your plan premium. If telemedicine isn’t included, weigh a $9.95/month add-on or pay-per-visit fees against your anticipated usage.
Is Telemedicine Worth the Extra Premium?
Deciding whether to opt into—or pay for—a telemedicine add-on rests on several factors:
Usage Frequency
Low Usage (1–2 visits/year): Pay-per-visit ($0–$89) may be more economical than a monthly subscription.
Moderate to High Usage (>3 visits/year): A flat rate membership (e.g., $9.95/month) or ensuring your plan covers telemedicine at $0 copay can deliver savings.
Health Needs
Chronic Conditions: Virtual check-ins for diabetes, hypertension, or mental health can reduce in-person visit burdens.
Minor Acute Issues: Quick consults for colds, allergies, or rashes can avert ER/urgent care bills and lost work hours.
Cost-Share Design
Review whether your Cigna plan applies deductible or coinsurance for virtual care. If yes, a standalone membership might avoid unexpected cost-shares.
Convenience Value
The time saved—no commute, no childcare arrangements—translates into real dollar value for many families.
Avoiding exposure in waiting rooms carries intangible health benefits.
FAQs
Q: Are all Cigna plans eligible for $0 telehealth visits?
A: No. Most employer-sponsored and ACA marketplace plans include $0 copay for eligible urgent and preventive virtual care. HSA-qualified plans may apply cost-share (Cigna). Always check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage.
Q: Can I add MDLIVE to any Cigna plan for a fee?
A: Cigna itself doesn’t sell MDLIVE separately. However, third-party providers (e.g., MobileHelp) offer MDLIVE add-ons for around $9.95/month (mobilehelp.com).
Q: Do I need a Cigna membership to use MDLIVE?
A: No. You can sign up for MDLIVE directly at no membership fee and pay per visit. Costs vary by service: urgent care visits can range up to $89, mental health sessions up to $179, and psychiatry up to $299 (mdlive.com, mdlive.com).
Q: How does Cigna reimburse virtual care providers?
A: Cigna reimburses covered virtual care services at 100% of face-to-face rates when billing requirements are met, ensuring parity between in-person and telehealth reimbursement (static.cigna.com).
Conclusion
For many individuals and families, having telemedicine woven into their health benefits offers unparalleled convenience, cost savings, and timely care—often at a $0 copay on Cigna plans. If your existing plan doesn’t include virtual care, evaluate your expected usage: a per-visit model is cost-effective for occasional needs, whereas a modest monthly fee can make sense for frequent consults or chronic care management.
Key Points to Decide:
Check Your Plan: Confirm telehealth cost-share in your Evidence of Coverage.
Estimate Usage: Will you use virtual care enough to justify a subscription?
Weigh Convenience: Factor in time and potential avoided facility fees.
Consider Alternatives: Compare Teladoc, Amwell, or standalone MDLIVE pricing if you’re uninsured or outside Cigna’s network.
Ultimately, Cigna’s Virtual Care Add-On—whether embedded at $0 copay or accessed via MDLIVE—often proves its worth by cutting down wait times, reducing out-of-pocket costs for minor conditions, and delivering care on your schedule. As telemedicine continues to evolve, investing in virtual care can be an indispensable part of your health-care toolkit.
