Navigating Global Health Care Costs: A Message from Dean Robinson, CFO, Cigna Healthcare Global Individual Health

At Cigna Healthcare Global Individual Health, our mission is to deliver affordable, sustainable health coverage solutions for your customers. We understand how critical it is for you, our broker partners, to have confidence in the long-term stability of our plans. That’s why our approach to rate reviews is so important.

Rate reviews aren’t just a behind-the-scenes process. They’re a key part of how we ensure our plans remain affordable, transparent, and built to last. These reviews are shaped by real-world medical and economic trends that influence health care globally. Here are some of the key factors we’re observing that are driving changes in costs.

Chronic Conditions on the Rise

Chronic conditions continue to be a major cost driver. Cancer, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal issues are increasing at notable rates. Rising cancer costs, especially for breast and colon cancer, are being felt worldwide. Meanwhile, lifestyle shifts, remote work, and aging populations are contributing to higher musculoskeletal claims.

Medical Innovation and Its Impact

The rapid advancement of medical treatments is also reshaping the cost landscape. Gene and cell therapies, once considered experimental, are now entering mainstream use. With over a thousand therapies currently in development, compared to just a few dozen today, the potential for improved patient outcomes is enormous, but so are the associated costs. These innovations must be carefully factored into our pricing models.

GLP-1 Treatments and Global Spending

We’re seeing explosive growth in GLP-1 treatments for obesity and diabetes. This category already accounts for billions in global spending and is projected to grow significantly over the next decade. It’s a trend we’re watching closely.

Mental Health

Mental health services are seeing increased utilization, driven by greater awareness and improved access. This is a positive development for overall well-being, but it also represents a growing area of cost that we must account for in our planning.

Broader Global Forces

Beyond medical trends, broader global forces are influencing health care costs. Economic shifts, supply chain disruptions, and hybrid working models all contribute to the environment in which we operate.

When you take all these factors together, it’s clear why careful rate reviews are so important. They allow us to manage costs responsibly, adapt to rapid change, and ensure that our plans remain strong, sustainable, and ready to meet the needs of your customers worldwide.

Investing for the Future

While I may be biased, I firmly believe we have a best-in-class underwriting team. Our continued investments in this space are designed not only to protect the long- term health of our portfolio from volatility, but also to maximize the number of customers we can help access the coverage they need.

We’re also making significant investments in our clinical, care, and support capabilities, which help us keep pace with the rising cost of care and make insurance as affordable as possible for your customers.

Over recent years, we’ve introduced a range of additional support benefits, from enhanced mental health coverage to fertility support through Carrot for your Platinum customers, we’re giving customers more ways to access meaningful care when they need it most.

As brokers, you play a vital role in helping individuals and families find the right protection, and we’re proud to stand beside you in that mission. Looking ahead, we remain committed to working closely with you, sharing insights, and ensuring that together we continue to deliver exceptional value to the people who rely on us. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and for everything you do to make global health care accessible.

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