Each employee's needs are different — that’s why Duke offers six (6) different medical plans to meet the needs of you and your family. Eligibility for some plans is based on the employee’s permanent home zip code. All Duke Health Plans will be administered by Cigna Healthcare beginning in January 2026.
Each medical care plan covers both pharmacy and behavioral health benefits. Please refer to the Medical Plans Comparison Chart for details. All of our medical plans will cover pre-existing conditions for covered services.
*Duke Basic and Cigna Care: These plans are frozen to new enrollments. Current members may keep their current coverage in 2026 or remove dependents from coverage. No other changes may be made.
Health Insurance Coverage for Virtual Visits
A virtual office visit with your regular healthcare provider is covered under your health plan, subject to your regular copay. This includes virtual office visits with your behavioral health provider.
Enrolling/Making Changes
Employees have 30 days from the date of a qualifying life event or 30 days after their hire date to enroll or make changes to their health, dental, vision, and reimbursement accounts.
Remember:
Your child does not have to meet IRS definitions of a dependent to be eligible for coverage for medical, dental and vision benefits. Because of national health care reform, Duke offers coverage for children under age 26 for medical, dental and vision benefits regardless of their student status or their marital status. If your covered child lives outside your home, consider which plans offer coverage in that area.
Pharmacy Benefits
Each of our medical plans cover pharmacy benefits, refer to the pharmacy benefits website for details, including links to our formulary and medication pricing tool.
Programs to Support Your Health
Duke offers a variety of programs that emphasize a proactive approach to improving health and preventing disease. Programs include health assessments, gym discounts, tobacco cessation resources, expectant mom support, and even individual consultations with fitness specialists and registered dietitians.
For Employees Who Travel Internationally on Duke Business
Duke provides supplemental health insurance at no additional cost for full-time, benefits-eligible employees traveling internationally for a period of time not to exceed six months on Duke business. You must have health insurance from Duke or another company in order to be eligible for this coverage.
This coverage, called Cigna Medical Benefits Abroad (MBA), offers eligible employees and their spouses or registered same-sex partners and dependents up to age 26 who are traveling with them, supplemental medical insurance coverage for unexpected injuries and illnesses while traveling abroad on Duke business. This coverage supplements Duke's regular health insurance plan or the employee's other health insurance coverage. The coverage also includes up to seven days of personal travel when taken in conjunction with a covered business trip.
For more information, including coverage limits and eligibility requirements, visit the Medical Benefits Abroad website.
Welcome to Cigna
Cigna is now the plan administrator for all Duke medical plans. Here are some helpful resources to ensure a smooth transition.
- Phone: 1-800-440-DUKE (3853)
- Web: cignahealthcare.com
ID Cards
New ID cards were mailed to participants. Please share your updated ID with providers and pharmacies beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Digital ID cards can be downloaded after registering for a MyCigna account. Express Scripts (Evernorth) has also issued new ID cards for the transition to Cigna. Your Cigna ID and your Express Scripts ID numbers are the same.
MyCigna Account
Access ID cards and view claims and coverage details online by registering for a MyCigna account. Click here for instructions.
Your Duke Health Account
Access your My Duke Health patient account to make appointments with your current primary care or specialty provider, view lab results, update information and make payments online. A mobile app is also available in the Apple and Google Play app stores. If you need help finding a provider, review the Duke provider listing online or call the Duke Consultation and Referral Center at 888-ASK-DUKE (275-3853).
Urgent Care
Visiting an Urgent Care facility only requires a $35-$50 co-pay while the co-pay for visiting the emergency room is $250. Urgent Care facilities provide diagnosis, treatment and management of urgent medical conditions and minor trauma when a patient's primary care physician is unavailable.
Duke Urgent Care Facilities
Click here for a list of Duke Urgent Care locations.
Other Urgent Care Facilities
Check your local listings for Urgent Care facilities in your area.
Tobacco Use Surcharge (Fee)
Duke charges employees covered under a Duke medical insurance plan who smoke or use other forms of tobacco an extra $50 per month for Monthly paid employees and $23 per pay period for Biweekly paid employees. The surcharge does not apply to dependents who use tobacco.
“Tobacco user” includes anyone who has used tobacco more than five times in the previous two months. Tobacco use includes smoking and use of snuff, e-cigarettes, or chewing tobacco. The use of a nicotine patch and nicotine gum are not subject to the surcharge.
The monthly surcharge will be removed upon completion of a tobacco cessation program through LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program. If you think you might be unable to complete the program, you may request to complete an alternative program or meet a reasonable alternative standard. Completion of an alternative activity may allow you to avoid the surcharge. Contact us at (919) 684-5600 and we will work with you (and, if you wish, with your doctor) to find the best method for achieving your best health.
Upon completion of a tobacco cessation program, the surcharge will be removed and you will receive a full refund of all tobacco surcharges paid during the current calendar year.
Visit the Tobacco Cessation website for more information.