The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization may limit the ability of participants to access the full range of health care benefits in certain states. Considering this decision, the Trustees of the Equity-League Health Fund have approved a change to the Cigna Health Plan. The change will assist participants who need to travel out of state to receive certain health care services not available locally.
To offer support beyond what the Cigna plan covers, the Fund is introducing the Supplemental Travel Benefit. The additional money provided by the Fund for lodging and food are taxable. You will receive a W-2.
What’s covered
Beginning July 1, 2022, the Cigna plan includes new travel benefits. If you or a covered dependent must travel more than 60 miles to obtain in-network abortion, gender affirmation, or behavioral health services (inpatient or outpatient), the plan will cover certain travel expenses up to preset limits.
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- Transportation includes airfare, vehicle rental, tolls, fuel, parking, bus, and taxi or Uber (as appropriate to the distance and need).
- Lodging is covered at $50 per night for individuals or $100 per night for an individual and authorized companion.
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| The Fund will supplement the Cigna benefit to cover up to $350 per night. Example: If you travel without a companion and Cigna pays $50 per night, the Fund will pay up to an additional $300. If you and a companion need lodging and Cigna pays $100 per night, the Fund will pay up to an additional $250. This supplemental benefit covers only the nights immediately before and after the procedure. |
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- Food and mileage are not covered under this benefit.
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| The Fund will cover up to $100 per day for meal expenses for you and any approved companion (combined). This supplemental benefit covers only the nights immediately before and after the procedure. |
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- Coverage is for travel to in-network providers only.
- There is a lifetime maximum benefit of $10,000 for Cigna’s travel benefit*
- The Fund will only reimburse expenses incurred on days for which you received reimbursement under Cigna’s travel benefit (including meals on the day you check in and the day you check out), and only expenses incurred on the day before treatment begins, any days of outpatient treatment, and the night following your last treatment.
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How to receive coverage
When the need for care arises, follow these steps:
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- You must contact Cigna for travel authorization. Contact Cigna at the customer service telephone number on the back of your ID card.
- Explain the need to travel for health care and get connected to a care team member.
- Wait to receive a confirmation letter, reimbursement form, and travel benefit instructions.
- Travel for care.
- Submit your claim form and expenses.
- After Cigna has approved the claim, send the Supplemental Travel Benefit claim form via either of the methods below:
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Email:
Submit the Supplemental Travel Benefit claim form through MailGate, the Fund Office's secure email application. See instructions for using MailGate.
US Post Office:
Equity-League Heatlh Trust Fund
P.O. Box 392062
Pittsburgh, PA. 15251-9062
For more information
For more information about this benefit, contact Cigna at the customer service telephone number on the back of your ID card or call the Fund Office at 212-869-9380 (outside of NYC call 800-344-5220 toll-free).
Note: This web page may be updated as additional information is available.
* Combined lifetime maximum applies to travel for all eligible covered services except LifeSource/organ transplants and gene therapy.