On January 1, 2026, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield officially replaces Cigna as our medical insurance carrier. Learn more about what to expect by reviewing these Frequently Asked Questions. We will continue to update this page during our transition period.
Who is Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and what will they do for USNH employees and dependents?
Anthem BCBS is a leading health benefits provider with a strong presence in New Hampshire and across New England. Anthem BCBS partners with the region’s hospitals, health systems, and physician practices, giving USNH members broad access to high-quality care locally and nationwide.
USNH employees will be covered under Anthem BCBS's BlueChoice Open Access (Select Network), which offers flexibility and a wide national network of providers. To learn more about Anthem BCBS and its resources, visit www.anthem.com.
Does this transition have any impact on my prescription drug coverage?
No, this is a transition of our medical insurance vendor only. We will continue to utilize OptumRx through our membership in the Preferred University Rx Purchasing Coalition (PURPC) in 2026.
When is Open Enrollment, and do I have to make any elections to transition to Anthem BCBS?
Open Enrollment for 2026 benefits takes place November 3-14, 2025. It’s always a good idea to review your benefits options and actively confirm or update your coverage, even if your personal situation hasn’t changed. That said, if you are currently enrolled in a USNH medical plan through Cigna and do not make any changes during Open Enrollment, you will be automatically mapped to the Anthem BCBS medical plan that most closely aligns to the plan you had in 2025.
How will the transition to Anthem BCBS benefit me and my family? What other resources will I have access to?
By partnering with Anthem BCBS, USNH is able to maintain its competitive, market-leading benefits while introducing meaningful new programs and resources that make healthcare more accessible and supportive, alongside a better member experience. USNH employees and covered family members will gain access to several clinical resources and improved navigation tools, including:
- Enhanced health programs to support preventive care and overall well-being, including a centralized care experience through the Sydney Health app
- A broader, national provider network, allowing members to access out-of-state care at the in-network level without needing to enroll in a different medical plan
- Clinical management, offering personalized support for members navigating complex or chronic health conditions
- Concierge-style care support, giving members personal help to navigate the healthcare system
Equally important, Anthem BCBS’s broad national network and competitive contracting also help mitigate rising healthcare costs, saving members on premiums and easing some of the impact of overall healthcare cost trends
Will all USNH employees move to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Yes, all benefits-eligible employees will move to Anthem BCBS if they choose to enroll in USNH medical coverage for 2026. This includes employees who are covered by labor agreements or engaged in contract negotiations, as well as USNH pre-65 retirees and those on direct bill/COBRA coverage under the Cigna plans.
Will there be any changes to plan options and/or coverage tiers?
No. As we have the last several years, USNH will continue to offer three plan options, including one with access to a Health Savings Account (HSA). The 2026 premium rates for these plans are based on the same four tiers of coverage as in past years:
- Employee
- Employee plus spouse
- Employee plus child(ren)
- Family
Where can I find employee premiums and plan design details for 2026?
Once employee and USNH contributions are available in mid-October, they will be posted online. You will also be able to find them in your Workday portal. More information about contributions and plan designs will be included in Open Enrollment materials, which will come a couple of weeks before our annual Open Enrollment period (November 3-14, 2025).
Will I experience any disruption during the transition to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield?
USNH has worked closely with Anthem BCBS to ensure employees experience a smooth transition with minimal disruption. Anthem BCBS offers a comprehensive network of hospitals and providers, with options expanding in certain areas compared to the prior network. Anthem BCBS currently contracts with all hospitals and their provider groups in New Hampshire. The vast majority of primary and specialty care providers that are in-network through Cigna will remain in-network with this switch to Anthem BCBS.
How do members know if a local hospital, facility or provider is in-network?
Take these steps to find a complete list of in-network providers covered by Anthem BCBS:
Go to www.anthem.com/find-care
- Click on “Basic search as guest.”
- Under the type of plan, select “Medical plan or network.”
- Under the state, select “New Hampshire.”
- Under how you get health insurance, select “Medical (Employer-Sponsored).”
- Under plan or network, select “BlueChoice Open Access (Select Network).”
- Click on continue to access the provider look-up tool for USNH members.
Please note the network status of providers will continue to evolve as Anthem BCBS works through the provider recruitment process.
Are behavioral health services offered directly by Anthem BCBS, or will they be handled through a third party?
Behavioral health services are part of Anthem BCBS’s national network and are not outsourced to a separate partner. Anthem BCBS places a strong emphasis on behavioral health, including a robust telehealth platform to support mental health needs.
In addition, USNH continues to supplement these resources by offering employees access to Spring Health, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides comprehensive mental health and work-life support. USNH sponsors 8 no-cost therapy sessions and 8 no-cost coaching sessions for every employee and household family member each year. The average wait time for a Spring Health therapy appointment in 2025 has been just 1.57 days, far below the national benchmark of 25 days, demonstrating a significant improvement in timely access to care.
After the 8 no-cost therapy sessions are complete, members can continue to see the same mental health provider at in-network rates through their Anthem BCBS medical coverage. Together, Spring Health and Anthem BCBS ensure employees and their families have convenient, high-quality options to manage any mental and emotional well-being needs.
Will the $300 fitness reimbursement benefit continue?
Yes, to maintain the existing program coverage, USNH will now offer this benefit through Health Equity. This change will result in improved submission processing through their member portal and a faster turn-around on receipt of reimbursements.
Can I still submit fitness reimbursements for 2025 to Cigna in 2026?
Updated: Yes. but we highly suggest submitting your fitness reimbursements as soon as possible in 2025. They must be submitted to Cigna by 3/31/2026. Completed fitness reimbursement forms for 2025 should be emailed to: USNHFitness@cignahealthcare.com In 2026 you will start submitting your expenses to HealthEquity.
How long will my claims data be available with Cigna?
Members have access to claims, EOBs, and basic plan information on MyCigna.com for up to 24 months after January 1, 2026. Some functions such as ID Cards, Chat functionality and links out to external websites are unavailable after that date.
Will Anthem BCBS be made aware of ongoing medical treatment or support that has been facilitated by Cigna (such as medical management programs or prior authorizations?)
Cigna will share with Anthem BCBS member files that allow the Anthem BCBS team to coordinate ongoing care needs or outreach. These files include:
- Medical management: a file of members currently engaged in case management including medical, maternity, behavioral, etc). The Anthem BCBS team will use these to see who would need an outreach, so they continue with their support.
- Current in-patient status: a file of members that are inpatient at the time of transition (1/1/2026). Anthem BCBS will use this to provide post discharge outreach and connect with members following their inpatient event.
- Prior authorizations: a file of members that may have a prior authorization for services that go beyond 12/31/2025. Anthem BCBS will use these to enter an authorization in their claims system, because authorization was already granted through Cigna, so the member is without disruption.
Will I receive a new Anthem BCBS ID card?
Yes, all members will receive a new ID card from Anthem BCBS in January in the mail. If, for any reason, you don’t receive your ID card(s) or need a replacement, please contact Anthem BCBS at 844-614-3155 to request a duplicate and/or to confirm mailing address.
You can also display your ID card via the Sydney app and print ID cards by logging in to www.anthem.com.
How will I access third party durable medical equipment (DME) companies through Anthem BCBS?
Anthem BCBS does not have “preferred vendors” that employees must utilize on DME equipment. Using in network DME providers will maximize your benefits. You do also have access to out of network providers at a higher cost share than in network providers. For hearing aids, Anthem does use an exclusive vendor called TruHearing.
What happens if Anthem BCBS is in a contract negotiation with our provider or hospital?
Contract negotiations are a regular occurrence and frequently can continue right up to a contract termination date. This is not unique to Anthem BCBS. There are required notices 30-days prior to the contract termination that will come from the providers and/or the insurers that notify patients of the upcoming changes. USNH does not directly receive such notice, nor do we make them ourselves, however we do track the progress of negotiations when we are made aware. Most of the time negotiations, sometimes with extensions, result in renewals. In the unlikely event that a contract renewal was not reached, we would work with Anthem BCBS to discuss transition of care notifications and processes for any impacted members.
