Cigna, Commonspirit in carriage dispute

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Cigna health insurance customers need to be aware of ongoing dispute.

They are now out of network with Commonspirit, or former CHI Memorial, hospitals.

This is after the two sides failed to reach an agreement to continue to keep those customers in network.

This does not affect emergency health services, which are legally required to be covered in network.

Commonspirit released the following statement on the matter:  

“Protecting Your Access to Trusted Care: CommonSpirit, Tennessee & Georgia (formerly CHI Memorial) has negotiated in good faith with Cigna to renew our contract. Our top priority is ensuring you continue to have uninterrupted, in-network access to all CommonSpirit doctors, hospitals, and services. We are advocating for a fair, market competitive agreement that supports quality patient care. Cigna has rejected all our proposals to date.

Current Status: Beginning February 1, 2026, CommonSpirit will no longer be in-network with Cigna Open Access Plus and Cigna Local Plus plans. This includes Memorial Hospital – Chattanooga, Hixson, and North Georgia, as well as physicians and providers with CommonSpirit Medical Group and The Chattanooga Heart Institute.

Make Your Voice Heard: We encourage you to call Cigna at the number on the back of your insurance card. Voice your concerns and ask them to work with CommonSpirit to ensure your continued in-network access to the quality care you deserve.

Options to Remain with CommonSpirit and its Physicians and Providers:

• Switch to Another Plan: The best option for Cigna patients to remain with CommonSpirit is to switch to a plan that includes CommonSpirit. Please visit CommonSpirit.org/insurance for a complete list of all insurance plans we participate in. We also encourage you to consult with your HR benefits department regarding your plan choices.
• Utilize PPO Benefits: Patients in Cigna PPO Plans may still be able to access CommonSpirit physicians and providers using their out-of-network benefits until Cigna accepts fair and reasonable rate increases. Please call our hospital billing office at (800) 276-3614 for more information about payment obligations as a self-pay patient or to utilize out-of-network benefits if you have a Cigna PPO Plan.
• Continuity of Care Option: Some patients undergoing treatment for certain conditions may be able to continue receiving care at in-network benefits for a period of time after February 1, 2026, by receiving Continuity of Care approval from Cigna. CommonSpirit physicians will assist patients in completing the Continuity of Care form. For your convenience, the Continuity of Care may be downloaded here. Please complete your portion with your Chattanooga Heart Institute or CommonSpirit Medical Group physician or advanced practice provider (e.g. nurse practitioner or physician assistant) and then submit the form to Cigna. The final determination about eligibility for Continuity of Care benefits is made by Cigna.

Emergency Care Coverage: Please remember, emergency care is covered in-network. Insurance companies are legally required to cover true emergency care at an in-network benefit level.

We are disappointed that we have been unable to reach an agreement with Cigna. Our top priority remains our patients, and we remain committed to negotiating and finding a solution that ensures continued access to care.

Call (423) 495-2583 if you have any questions.

Thank you for trusting CommonSpirit with your care.”

Cigna responded with the following statement:

  “It is disappointing that CommonSpirit Memorial Hospital chose to leave our network on February 1. Despite already being one of the most expensive hospital systems in the region, CommonSpirit requested large price increases that would make health care unaffordable and rejected our offer to keep the current contract in place while we continued negotiating. Most of our employer clients self-fund their health plans, which means higher hospital prices are paid directly by local businesses, their employees, and their families.

If you’re a Cigna Healthcare customer who is currently receiving treatment at CommonSpirit Memorial Hospital, we will work with you to either continue or transition your care to another in-network provider. Our customer service advocates can walk you through your options if you call the phone number on your member ID card. We know any change can be disruptive for patients, and our advocates are available 24/7 to help patients navigate to quality, in‑network care nearby.

We hope CommonSpirit Memorial Hospital returns to our network soon and joins us in prioritizing affordable health care for Chattanoogans and their families.”