How does CIGNA your health insurance work?

As a volunteer, you will be insured by a private insurance company that your project has contracted on your behalf. If you are a European Solidarity Corps volunteer then you are insured by CIGNA, a global health service company. When you are registered in their databases as a volunteer then you will get the plan which explains what you are covered for. When you receive the registering number through which you can have access to CIGNA's plan then, you need to fill the profile, where you need to write the payment information. In my opinion best thing to do is to put your hosting organization's bank account info so they take care of the payment. You can also put yours if you have a bank account that can be used to transfer and receive money. In this case, you need to ask your hosting organization to give you back the money.

In case you are not sure about what you are covered, the best option is to write them directly at erasmusplus@cigna.com. They are pretty fast in replying to your email. What you need to write is the issue, and attach documents if you have that can prove that you really need to be insured. After you have received the email that gives you the green light to take the medical care, then when you go to the doctor you need to show them that you are covered by CIGNA. Always keep with you the insurance card that will be issued to you once the sending organization has registered you on CIGNA's webpage. See the photo attached to this report to see how it looks like.

After having received your medical care, this depending on the doctor you will receive in your address that you provided them with, the bill or bills. Usually, you have one month to pay for the expenses, and if you don't do it they can charge you more, so if you are not sure about the time that you have in disposition then you can call the number that you can find on the bill, or send them an email.

When receiving the bill, make sure you send it to your hosting organization if you have chosen the first option that I explained above. After they have paid they will give you back the paper that confirms that the payment has been made. You need to scan it together with the original bill(s) that you have received. You go to your CIGNA plan where you log in and then you go to Claims. There you can upload the new claims and the document that proves that you have paid the medical expenses. Once you have finished your claim, you will receive an email that confirms that your CIGNA has received your claim and that they will review it. In two weeks' time if the medical expenses can be covered by CIGNA then they will settle down your claim.

If you think that you need more monetary support from CIGNA then you can ask your sending organization and the hosting organization to contact the main people who can help you with your issue. Don't feel shy because this is your right, and you should raise your voice so you can be heard. It's another thing if they will take your claim into consideration, but at least you will know that you did your best for your health. Good luck!!!