By Dr. Aydin Tajeri, Specialist in Internal Medicine. Last clinically reviewed: 27 April 2026.
If you’ve moved to Stockholm with a Cigna Global or Cigna Elite policy through your employer, embassy, or international relocation, you’ve probably already discovered that “find a Cigna provider” is harder than it should be. Most Swedish private clinics aren’t set up to direct-bill international insurance — they expect you to pay and reclaim. The Health Clinic Stockholm is one of the few that handles this end-to-end.
This guide explains exactly how Cigna direct billing works at our clinic — what’s covered, how to pre-authorise, what to bring, and what the experience looks like from your first email to leaving the clinic with care delivered and the claim closed.
Who Cigna direct billing is for
Direct billing applies if you have:
- Cigna Global (any region tier) through your employer
- Cigna Elite (high-end international tier) through embassy, executive package, or independent purchase
- Cigna Healthguard / Cigna Lifeline plans common with embassy and diplomatic missions
- Some legacy Cigna plans issued before the global rebrand
If your card says “Cigna” with an international policy number (typically starts with letters like IBM, OK, or similar issuer codes), you’re in scope. If you’re unsure, email a photo of your card to kundservice@healthclinic.se and we’ll confirm before you book.
What’s covered (typical Cigna Global plans)
Coverage varies by your specific policy tier. Most Cigna Global plans cover at our clinic:
| Service | Coverage status (typical) |
|---|---|
| GP consultations | Fully covered after deductible |
| Specialist consultations (cardiology, gynecology, etc.) | Fully covered after deductible |
| Diagnostic tests (blood, ECG, ultrasound) | Fully covered after deductible |
| Imaging (MRI, CT) | Covered with pre-authorisation |
| Preventive screenings (annual health checks) | Varies — some plans cover, others classify as wellness only |
| Mental health (psychiatry, psychology) | Often covered with limits |
| Vaccinations | Typically covered |
| Prescription medications | Outside the clinic — Cigna pays you back via reimbursement |
We do not commit to coverage on this page — we verify your specific plan benefits before each visit. Cigna policies are not standardised; what’s covered depends on your employer’s negotiated tier and your geographic plan.
What you pay at the clinic vs. through the policy
In a properly direct-billed visit, here’s what happens:
1. Pre-authorisation is in place before you arrive (we handle this — see below) 2. You arrive, present your Cigna card at reception 3. The clinical visit happens — consultation, tests, whatever was authorised 4. At checkout, you pay any deductible or co-insurance specific to your policy. Many plans have zero deductible for in-network providers; some have a 100–500 EUR annual deductible split across visits. 5. We invoice Cigna directly after your visit, settling the rest
You leave with a receipt for your own records — useful for tax purposes if you’re claiming healthcare against income (some embassies / diplomatic situations do this).
If your specific plan requires payment first and reimbursement, we issue a Cigna-formatted invoice that you forward through the Cigna Envoy app — most claims process within 5–10 working days.
Pre-authorisation — when it’s needed and how to get it
Pre-authorisation (“pre-auth”) is Cigna’s process of confirming, before treatment, that your plan will cover a specific service. It’s required for:
- All imaging (MRI, CT)
- Most surgical procedures
- Hospitalisation
- Some specialist consultations (depends on plan)
- Annual health screenings (in many plans)
GP consultations and routine blood work usually don’t need pre-auth.
How to get pre-auth handled:
1. Email kundservice@healthclinic.se with: your Cigna card photo, the service you want, your preferred date 2. We submit the pre-auth request to Cigna with the clinical justification (e.g. “patient X presents with symptoms Y, Z; specialist consultation indicated”) 3. Cigna typically responds within 24–72 hours with an authorisation number 4. We confirm with you and the appointment is locked in
For urgent same-week appointments, we can usually expedite pre-auth via direct phone to Cigna’s provider line — same day in most cases.
Specialist referrals through Cigna at our clinic
If your Cigna plan requires GP referral for specialist visits (some plans do, some don’t), the workflow is:
1. GP visit with our internal medicine or family medicine team — covered routinely 2. Specialist referral issued by the GP if clinically indicated 3. Specialist visit with our in-house cardiologist, gynecologist, neuropsychiatrist, orthopedist, or whichever speciality applies — covered with the referral note
Because all 12+ specialists are in-house, the referral process happens internally — you don’t leave the building. Many other private clinics in Stockholm refer outside, which slows direct billing because the external clinic isn’t necessarily a Cigna provider.
Cigna Elite — what changes
Cigna Elite is the top-tier international plan, typically held by C-suite executives, senior diplomats, and high-net-worth individuals. We’re set up specifically for Elite members at /cigna-members/cigna-elite/.
What’s different at the Elite tier:
- Concierge intake — single point of contact through a dedicated case manager at our clinic
- Same-day fast-track — Elite members can book within hours, not days, for non-urgent specialist consults
- Extended consultation time — 60-minute slots as standard
- Coordinated care plans — annual screenings + specialist follow-ups choreographed proactively
- No deductible, typically — Elite plans usually waive co-pay at network providers
- Family inclusion — Elite policies often cover spouse + dependents on the same direct-billing arrangement
If you have Cigna Elite, mention this when you book and we’ll route you to the Elite track.
How long claims take to process
After your visit, here’s the typical Cigna direct-billing timeline:
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | Visit ends. We submit invoice + clinical notes to Cigna within 24h. |
| Day 1–3 | Cigna acknowledges receipt, opens claim |
| Day 3–10 | Claim adjudicated. Most claims close at this point with full payment to clinic. |
| Day 10–30 | Edge-case claims (non-standard pre-auth, complex billing) may need follow-up. We handle this — you don’t see it. |
You receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from Cigna directly, showing what was covered and what (if anything) you owe. EOBs are also accessible in your Cigna Envoy account.
What to bring to your first appointment
Bring:
- Your Cigna card (physical or digital — the Envoy app works fine)
- Photo ID — passport or Swedish ID
- List of current medications and dosages
- Any recent lab results / imaging from previous providers (helpful but not required)
- Brief medical history — we’ll fill out the rest at intake
You don’t need a referral letter from another doctor unless your specific plan tier requires GP gatekeeping (we’ll have flagged this in pre-auth).
FAQ for Cigna members
Can my partner / spouse use my Cigna policy at your clinic? Yes, if they’re listed as a dependent on your policy. Bring a copy of the policy showing the dependents covered.
What if I’m visiting Sweden short-term and my Cigna plan is in another country? Cigna Global is portable across borders. As long as your plan covers Sweden in its geographic scope (most do), direct billing works regardless of your home country.
Do you handle Cigna’s “Telehealth” / virtual consultations? Cigna Telehealth services run through their own network, not at physical clinics. We focus on in-person care. If you want a Cigna virtual consultation, use the Cigna Envoy app directly.
My Cigna plan has a deductible — when do I pay it? The deductible is typically split across your first few visits in a calendar year, until you’ve reached the annual amount. We’ll bill you at checkout for the deductible portion and direct-bill Cigna for the rest.
What if Cigna denies a service after I’ve already had it? This is rare with proper pre-auth, but if it happens, we work with Cigna’s appeals process on your behalf at no extra cost. You aren’t left holding the bill if we processed pre-auth correctly.
Are non-medical services (annual physical, vaccinations) covered? Depends on your plan. Annual physicals are covered under “wellness” benefit on most Cigna Global plans. Travel vaccinations are covered if your plan includes preventive care. We confirm before you visit.
Do you accept other international insurers — Allianz, AXA, BUPA? Yes. We’re set up for direct billing with Allianz Care, AXA International, BUPA Global, Aetna International, IMG, and most other major international plans. Email us with your card and we’ll confirm.
My company is moving me to Stockholm — can I add my expat package’s Cigna plan to your billing system in advance? Yes — email us at kundservice@healthclinic.se before you arrive in Sweden. We’ll set up your file, verify your plan, and book your first visit so it’s ready when you land.
What happens if Cigna stops accepting our clinic as a provider? This hasn’t happened (we’ve held the Cigna Global Provider designation since clinic opening), and we’d notify all members in advance if anything changed. Your existing pre-authorisations would be honoured under transition rules in any case.
*This article is general information about insurance billing processes, not legal or financial advice on your specific policy. Confirm your specific coverage with Cigna or with our administrative team before making any care decisions. Sources: Cigna Global plan documentation, Swedish IVO healthcare provider regulations, Patient Safety Act 2010:659.*
Cigna member? Email your policy number to kundservice@healthclinic.se and we’ll pre-authorise before your appointment. Book your visit.
