Cigna, Blue Shield of California sued over narrow networks

Santa Monica, Calif.-based advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has filed lawsuits against health insurers Cigna and Blue Shield of California alleging the companies misled consumers about the size of their networks, according to a Kaiser Health News report.

In its lawsuits, the advocacy group claims both Cigna and Blue Shield of California provided inaccurate in-network provider lists to consumers. The lawsuits also allege hospital and physician networks offered by the health insurers are insufficient, according to the report.  

These are not the first lawsuits to be filed over narrow networks in California. In July, Consumer Watchdog filed a legal complaint against Anthem Blue Cross of California claiming the insurer provided consumers wither inaccurate in-network provider lists and that new members were not informed their policies would not cover care outside of their networks.

In August, 33 Anthem Blue Cross members filed a second lawsuit against the Anthem Blue Cross of California alleging the company misrepresented the size of its networks and the benefits provided under the plans it offered under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

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