Cigna will provide free transportation to local cooling centers for Medicare Advantage members nationwide if they have a transportation benefit.
The transportation benefit can be used to get to a community cooling center or public location with air conditioning. It can also be used to get a ride to medical appointments, a pharmacy or to receive COVID-19 vaccines or boosters, according to a July 29 news release.
A Cigna spokesperson told Becker's about 354,000 customers are eligible for the transportation benefit.
"Cigna is committed to helping older adults stay safe and healthy, and free rides to cooling centers is one important way to avoid preventable heat-related illnesses this summer," said Joseph Sobel, MD, chief medical officer at Cigna Medicare.