LCMC Health and Cigna Healthcare negotations.

LCMC Health physicians and Touro are out-of-network with Cigna Healthcare effective December 1, 2026. Cigna has assured us that the other LCMC Health facilities will stay in-network for a short period.

At this time, hospital services at Manning Family Children’s, East Jefferson General Hospital, West Jefferson Medical Center, New Orleans East Hospital, Lakeside Hospital, and Lakeview Hospital will remain unimpacted and in network with Cigna. University Medical Center New Orleans is not in network with Cigna.

While negotiations between health systems and health insurers are commonplace, we hoped Cigna would recognize that reimbursing LCMC Health at fair market rates was not only reasonable, but the right thing to do. We will continue to negotiate for a new agreement so that we can restore your in-network access, and so we may continue to deliver exceptional care for our community members.

Over the years, Cigna has created barriers to how we best serve patients, and LCMC Health has taken action to improve our existing partnership agreement. We have absorbed significant cost increases with minimal increases in reimbursement from Cigna. What’s more, Cigna’s excessive claims denials, underpayments and payment delays do not put patients first and require LCMC Health to fight for every dollar owed to us even after delivering exceptional patient care. This is unsustainable and threatens long-term access to the quality care—and choice in care—that patients living in greater New Orleans deserve.

Our current agreement with Cigna expires on December 1, 2026. Patients in an active course of treatment should contact Cigna to learn if they are eligible for Continuity of Care benefits so they may continue their care with LCMC Health on an in-network basis.

Our negotiations only impact patients covered by Cigna employer-sponsored commercial plans.

These negotiations only impact Cigna commercial plans.

LCMC Health physicians and Touro are impacted by these negotiations. At this time, hospital services at Manning Family Children’s, East Jefferson General Hospital, West Jefferson Medical Center, New Orleans East Hospital, Lakeside Hospital, and Lakeview Hospital will remain unimpacted and in network with Cigna. University Medical Center New Orleans is not in network with Cigna.

• Call Cigna using the number on the back of your insurance card. Let them know that access to LCMC Health’s high-quality care is important for you.
• Talk to your insurance broker or HR manager. They may be able to advocate on your behalf and speak directly with Cigna. They may also help you explore plan options that include LCMC Health in-network for the next benefit year.
• Stay informed. Visit HeartOfNOLA.com if you have questions about our negotiations or want to know the status of our relationship with Cigna.

If you are admitted to the hospital before December 1, 2026, your stay will be covered at in-network rates through the end of that inpatient admission. Emergency care is always covered at in-network rates.

If you have surgery before December 1, 2026
Your follow-up care will be covered under the global period. This means the cost of your surgery also includes certain visits before and after the procedure, so you are not billed separately for them. These are classified as bundled charges.

• Some smaller procedures do not include post-operative global visits.
• Many minor procedures include a 10-day period.
• Major surgeries include a 30-day period.

Please remember: the global period is based on the day of your surgery, not the day of your follow-up visit.

Provider fees cover your clinician's services, while facility fees are separate charges from the hospital or clinic where care is provided.

Emergency care is always covered at in-network rates. If you or a loved one experiences a medical emergency, please go to the nearest emergency room.

Patients in an active course of treatment may qualify for Continuity of Care benefits. You should contact Cigna at the number on the back of your insurance card to check your eligibility for Continuity of Care benefits. You should also ask about the availability of out-of-network benefits through your plan and any increased costs you may incur if you receive services on an out-of-network basis. For scheduled surgeries, contact your surgeon’s office for more information.

Visit HeartOfNOLA.com for the most current information.