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  • Home Knowledge Center What is Secondary Health Insurance?

    What is Secondary Health Insurance?

    Secondary health insurance is coverage you can buy separately from a medical plan. It helps cover you for care and services that your primary medical plan may not. This secondary insurance could be a vision plan, dental plan, or an accidental injury plan, to name a few. These are also called voluntary or supplemental insurance plans.

    Some secondary insurance plans may pay you cash. These plans can help pay out-of-pocket health care costs if you get seriously injured or sick.

    What are the types of secondary insurance?

    Secondary health insurance, or voluntary or supplemental insurance, could refer to many types of coverage, including:

    • Vision: Your medical plan will not cover you for vision care. A vision plan can provide coverage for routine eye exams and prescription glasses or contacts, depending on the plan.
    • Dental: A dental plan can cover you for preventive care such as routine teeth cleanings and some X-rays. It may also help cover you for certain kinds of specialized dental care. Different types of dental plans vary in what they cover and how much you might pay.
    • Disability: Short- and long-term disability plans are a type of secondary insurance coverage. It gives you benefits if you become injured or ill and can't work for any length of time.
    • Life Insurance: A type of secondary insurance that pays out a lump sum to a beneficiary in the event of your death.
    • Accident Insurance: If you have an unexpected accident or injury, costs can add up quickly. These costs often go well beyond what your primary medical plan will cover. An accidental injury plan is a type of secondary insurance that may give you a cash payout, or lump sum. You can use this money to help pay medical bills or household expenses.
    • Hospital Care Insurance: Need to stay in the hospital for an unexpected medical problem? Hospital care insurance can vary in terms, but often covers you for certain serious illnesses or conditions, such as stroke or heart attack. These plans may give you a cash payment to apply to costs.
    • Medicare Supplement Insurance: Medicare supplement plans help cover things that Original Medicare does not.

    Is secondary insurance the same as gap insurance?

    Gap insurance is a type of secondary insurance. It's sometimes called "limited benefits insurance". Gap insurance offers cash benefits. This means it can help pay health care costs related to your deductible, copay, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket medical expenses.

    Looking for Supplemental insurance?

    Cigna Healthcare offers policies that can help pay out-of-pocket expenses related to serious illness, accidents, or hospitalization.1
    Find the right plan for you

    Where can you buy secondary health insurance?

    These plans are sold through private insurance companies. There are many different kinds of plans, coverage, and terms.

    • If you buy a medical plan on your own through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you can purchase supplemental or secondary coverage through a private insurance company.
    • If you get your medical plan through your employer, you may have the option to add one or more secondary or supplemental plans during enrollment. If not, you can still buy one on your own through a private insurance company.

    How does secondary insurance work?

    Secondary insurance plans work along with your primary medical plan to help cover gaps in cost, services, or both.

    • Supplemental health plans like vision, dental, and cancer insurance can provide coverage for care and services not typically covered under your medical plan. Supplemental plans often have a deductible, copay, and coinsurance. When you meet the deductible then your plan starts sharing part of the costs with you. When you see a provider you may have to pay a small fee, or copay, at the time of the visit.
    • Lump sum insurance plans pay you a cash amount, should you suffer a covered illness or injury. You can typically use the money however you'd like. You can pay off medical bills, pay your deductible, or even use it to cover everyday expenses like childcare, groceries, rent, and utilities.
    • Gap insurance plans help you cover out-of-pocket costs related to your health care. For example, you can use a gap insurance plan to help pay your medical plan deductible or the deductible for a dental or vision plan. It can also help pay copays and any payments you make toward coinsurance.
    • You may be required to pay a monthly premium for some secondary insurance plans. The premium cost depends on the type of plan and the coverage you choose.
    • You may choose to have more than one type of secondary health insurance. These can provide benefits for different types of care and costs, should you need it.

    It's important to note that most secondary health insurance does not need to conform to Affordable Care Act (ACA) standards. For example, insurance carriers can ask you about pre-existing conditions and can deny you coverage in certain situations. Make sure you understand the terms, including any exclusions and limitations, of any additional coverage you buy.

    Can you get secondary health insurance to cover a high deductible, a copay, or coinsurance?

    Yes, you can get secondary medical insurance to help cover out-of-pocket costs. This may include a deductible, your copays, and coinsurance payments. This type of plan is often called a "limited benefits" plan or simply "gap insurance."

    Is secondary health insurance worth the cost?

    Many secondary insurance plans have affordable monthly premiums, but cost is just one of the factors. Consider the following to find out if this type of coverage is right for you:

    • What does your primary medical plan cover and not cover?
    • What type of medical care do you expect to need?
    • Do you expect to need care that your medical plan doesn't cover? For example, do you need prescription eyewear or have a chronic medical condition?
    • No one expects accidents, but do you participate in risky sports or suffer regular injuries?
    • Do you have a high deductible medical plan? If so, would you have difficulties paying it if you needed to? Remember you must meet your deductible before your health plan kicks in to start helping share costs for coverage.

    Answering these questions can help you decide if secondary coverage might be right for you.

    What's not covered by secondary health insurance?

    It depends on the type of plan you buy. Most plans will not cover services or treatment that are experimental or cosmetic. Read the details of any secondary health insurance plan you are considering. There are usually limits on coverage and services.

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  • Voluntary/Supplemental Insurance
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    1 Cigna HealthcareSM Supplemental Benefits insured by Loyal American Life Insurance Company.

    This page is not intended for residents of Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming.

    This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor for appropriate examinations, treatment, testing, and care recommendations. Any third party content is the responsibility of such third party. Cigna Healthcare does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of any third party content and is not responsible for such content. Your access to and use of this content is at your sole risk.

    Sources:

    Ways Supplemental Insurance or Secondary Health Insurance Can Help, Health Markets, https://www.healthmarkets.com/content/secondary-health-insurance, accessed June 21, 2021

    Arizona State Disclosures, Exclusions, Limitations, and Reductions

    Arizona State Disclosures, Exclusions, Limitations, and Reductions

    FOR ALL APPLICABLE POLICIES AND RIDERS:
    PRE-EXISTING CONDITION(S): A condition/conditions diagnosed or for which medical advice or treatment was recommended by or received from a physician within the six months prior to the policy or rider effective date. The benefits of the policy and any attached rider will not be payable during the first 12 months that coverage is in force with respect to an insured person for any loss caused by pre-existing condition(s). This 12-month period is measured from the policy and rider effective date for each insured person.
     (Pre-existing conditions(s) do not apply to the Catastrophic Accidental Injury Benefit Rider, Vehicular Accidental Injury Cash Benefit Rider, Parent Benefit Rider, Declining Deductible Benefit Rider, Individual Whole Life Insurance Policy, Terminal Illness Accelerated Benefit Rider and Accidental Death Benefit to Age 100 Rider)

    LUMP SUM CANCER POLICY/RIDER AND CANCER RECURRENCE BENEFIT RIDER

    If you happen to be diagnosed within the first 30 days following the effective date of the policy and/or rider, the benefit amount payable will be reduced to 10% of the selected benefit amount, and your coverage will be terminated. (not applicable on Cancer Recurrence Benefit Rider)

    In addition to any benefit-specific conditions, limitations, or exclusions, no benefits will be payable under this policy and rider for:

    1. any disease, Sickness or incapacity other than Cancer as defined; this is so even though such disease, Sickness or incapacity may have been complicated, affected (directly or indirectly) or caused by Cancer;
    2. loss that begins prior to the policy and/or rider effective date;
    3. Diagnosis received outside the United States or its territories, unless otherwise specified in this policy and/or rider; or
    4. any illness specifically excluded from the definition of Cancer or Carcinoma in Situ.

    LUMP SUM HEART ATTACK AND STROKE POLICY/RIDER AND HEART ATTACK & STROKE RESTORATION BENEFIT RIDER

    If you happen to be diagnosed with two or more qualifying events on the same day or have two or more surgical treatments at the same time (through a common incision or entry point are considered one operation), we will pay only one benefit amount for the diagnosis and one benefit amount for the surgical treatment, the larger of the qualifying event benefits.

    In addition to any benefit-specific conditions, limitations, or exclusions, no benefits will be payable under this policy and rider for:

    1. any disease, Sickness or incapacity other than Qualifying Events as defined; this is so even though such disease, Sickness or incapacity may have been complicated, affected (directly or indirectly) or caused by a Qualifying Event;
    2. loss that begins prior to the policy and/or rider effective date;
    3. Diagnosis received outside the United States or its territories, unless otherwise specified in this policy and/or rider;
    4. intentionally self-inflicted Injury, suicide or any attempt while sane or insane;
    5. voluntary self-administration of any narcotic, drug, poison, gas or fumes, unless prescribed or taken under the direction of a Physician and taken in accordance with the prescribed dosage; or
    6. any illness specifically excluded from the definition of Qualifying Events listed in this policy and/or rider.

    CANCER TREATMENT POLICY

    In addition to any benefit-specific conditions, limitations, or exclusions, no benefits will be payable under this policy for:

    1. any disease, Sickness or incapacity other than Cancer as defined; this is so even though such disease, Sickness or incapacity may have been complicated, affected (directly or indirectly) or caused by Cancer;
    2. loss that begins prior to the expiration of the Waiting Period;
    3. Diagnosis received outside the United States or its' territories, unless otherwise specified in this policy; or
    4. any illness specifically excluded from the definition of Cancer or Carcinoma in Situ.

    WAITING PERIOD: If you are diagnosed with cancer within the first 30 days after the effective date of the Cancer Treatment policy, no benefits will be paid until such waiting period has expired.

    HOSPITAL AND INTENSIVE CARE UNIT INDEMNITY BENEFIT RIDER AND INTENSIVE CARE UNIT INDEMNITY BENEFIT RIDER

    Benefits are only payable for the first 30 days for any one period of confinement.
    Once you reach age 65, coverage will be reduced by 50%.

    These Riders are subject to the following Exclusions and Limitations, in addition to those outlined in the policy.

    In addition to any benefit-specific conditions, limitations, or exclusions, no benefits will be payable under these Riders for Confinement or loss caused directly or indirectly by:

    1. Suicide (while sane or insane), attempted suicide or intentionally self-inflicted Injury;
    2. War or act of war (whether declared or undeclared);
    3. Commission or attempt to commit an illegal activity or a felony;
    4. Commission of or active participation in a riot, insurrection, rebellion or police action;
    5. Voluntary self-administration of any narcotic, drug, poison, gas or fumes, unless prescribed or taken under the direction of a Physician and taken in accordance with the prescribed dosage;
    6. Operating any type of vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any drug, narcotic or other intoxicant. "Under the influence of alcohol", for purposes of this exclusion, means intoxicated, as defined by the law of the state in which the Injury occurred;
    7. Mental or emotional disorders, alcoholism and drug addiction;
    8. Treatment outside the United States except for emergency care for acute onset of Sickness or accidental Injury sustained while traveling for business or pleasure;
    9. Travel or activity outside the United States;
    10. Participation in any motorized race or contest of speed on sea, land or air;
    11. Travel in or on any off-road motorized vehicle not requiring licensing as a motor vehicle;
    12. Participation in any high risk activities such as bungee jumping, parachuting, skydiving, parasailing, hang-gliding, deep-sea scuba diving, parkour, free running, sail gliding, parakiting or any similar activity;
    13. Flight in, boarding, or alighting from an aircraft or any craft designed to fly above the Earth's surface, except as a fare-paying passenger on a regular-scheduled commercial or charter airline;
    14. Practicing for or participating in any semiprofessional or professional competitive athletic contest for which such Insured Person receives any compensation or remuneration;
    15. Operating a motor vehicle without a valid motor vehicle operator's license, except while participating in a driver's education program;
    16. The following conditions if they are diagnosed within six (6) months after the Rider Effective Date unless Confinement is on an emergency basis: a hernia, adenoids, tonsils, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, disorder of the reproductive organs, or elective sterilization;
    17. Routine pregnancy; however, Complications of Pregnancy will be considered the same as any other Sickness;
    18. An elective abortion;
    19. Dental treatment of the teeth, gums or structures directly supporting the teeth, including dental x-rays, examinations, repairs, orthodontics, periodontics, casts, splints and services for dental malocclusion, for any condition are not covered, except if provided for or in connection with an Injury to sound natural teeth and a continuous course of dental treatment is started within six (6) months of the Injury. Sound natural teeth are defined as natural teeth that are free of active clinical decay, have at least 50% bony support and are functional in the arch; or
    20. Cosmetic care, except when the Hospital Confinement is due to medically necessary reconstructive plastic surgery. Medically necessary reconstructive surgery is defined as:
      1. surgery as the result an Injury; or
      2. surgery to restore a normal bodily function; or
      3. surgery to improve functional impairment by anatomic alteration made necessary as a result of a congenital birth defect; or
      4. breast reconstruction following mastectomy.

    Also, no benefits will be payable under these Riders for:

    1. Loss that begins prior to the Rider Effective Date;
    2. Treatment for which no charges are made by the provider of same;
    3. Services which are primarily for rest care, convalescent care or for rehabilitation; or
    4. Any Injury or Sickness paid for under any state or federal Worker's Compensation, Employer's Liability Law or similar law.

    Catastrophic Accidental Injury Benefit Rider
    In addition to the policy exclusions and limitations, no benefits will be payable for:

    1. a Covered Loss that is not sustained throughout the Catastrophic Accident Waiting Period, as shown on the policy schedule page. Vehicular Accidental Injury Cash Benefit Rider In addition to the policy exclusions and limitations, no benefits will be payable:

    Vehicular Accidental Injury Cash Benefit
    Rider In addition to the policy exclusions and limitations, no benefits will be payable:

    1. if the Insured Person was the driver, operator or passenger and was not wearing a helmet, as required by the laws of the state in which the Covered Vehicular Accident occurred.
    2. if the Insured Person was the driver, operator or passenger and was not wearing a seatbelt, as required by the laws of the state in which the Covered Vehicular Accident occurred.
    3. for a Covered Vehicular Accident that occurs during the Vehicular Accidental Injury Cash Benefit Waiting Period, as shown on the Policy Schedule Page.
    4. for no more than one Vehicular Accidental Injury Cash Benefit Amount will be paid per the lifetime of each Insured Person.

    Parent Benefit Rider and Declining Deductible Benefit Rider
    The exclusions and limitations that apply to these riders are the same as the exclusions and limitations of the policy.

    INDIVIDUAL WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY

    Suicide
    If the insured dies by Suicide, while sane or insane, within two years from the policy effective date, our liability under this policy is limited to the premiums paid.

    Incontestability
    Except for non-payment of premiums or for fraud if permitted in the state where the policy is delivered or issued for delivery, this policy will be incontestable after in force for two years from the policy effective date. This provision does not apply to any rider that contains its own Incontestability clause.

    Terminal Illness Accelerated Benefit Rider
    If the Insured dies after the claim is presented for a Terminal Illness Accelerated Benefit, but before any such benefits are received, the request is cancelled and the Death Benefit will be paid pursuant to the policy. We will not pay a benefit amount for any condition that is not diagnosed as a Terminal Illness. The diagnosis of a Terminal Illness must be confirmed by a physician practicing within the United States or its territories.

    Accidental Death Benefit To Age 100 Rider
    No Accidental Death Benefit will be payable if the Insured's death results within 180 days directly or indirectly from any of these causes:

    1. Suicide: while the Insured is sane or insane.
    2. War: declared or undeclared, or any act of war. War is defined as armed conflict between nations, or between factions in the same nation.
    3. Military Service: in the military forces of any country at war or in any civilian noncombatant unit serving with those forces.
    4. Natural Causes: Bodily or mental illness, disease or infirmity of any kind, or medical or surgical treatment for any of these.
    5. Death caused or materially contributed to by voluntary intake or use by any means of any drug, unless prescribed or administered by a physician and taken in accordance with the physician's instructions.
    6. Speed contest: Fatal Injury which is incurred as the result of taking part in any speed contest.
    7. Blood Alcohol: Death while the Insured is operating a motor vehicle and is determined to have a blood alcohol level exceeding the legal limit as defined by state law.
    8. Felony: Injury received while committing a felony or incarcerated.
    9. Participation in a riot, civil commotion, terrorist activity or rising against civil or governmental authority.
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    Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT). The Cigna Healthcare name, logo, and other Cigna Healthcare marks are owned by The Cigna Group Intellectual Property, Inc.

    All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna Healthcare sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of Arizona and New Mexico.

    Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna Healthcare website. Cigna Healthcare may not control the content or links of non-Cigna Healthcare websites. Details