Cigna Removes Restrictions on Home Phototherapy Coverage for 19.2 Million Americans

Cigna has updated its coverage policy to remove prior restrictions on home phototherapy, making it accessible to its 19.2 million covered lives nationwide. This change, effective July 15, 2025, opens access for eligible members with conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo to receive convenient, clinically proven treatment at home without unnecessary coverage limitations. This decision expands national access to home phototherapy across major health plans, benefiting over 66.7 million insured Americans.

Cigna has recently updated its coverage policy to remove prior restrictions on home phototherapy, effective July 15, 2025. This change, which impacts its 19.2 million covered lives nationwide, allows eligible members with conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo to receive convenient, clinically proven treatment at home without unnecessary coverage limitations. This decision follows a similar recent coverage expansion by Elevance Health/Anthem, which covers 47.5 million lives, further expanding national access to home phototherapy across major health plans.

With both Cigna and Elevance now covering home phototherapy without restrictions, more than 66.7 million insured Americans have gained access to a safe, non-invasive treatment clinically proven to achieve clearance or significant improvement in up to 80% of patients [1]. In the U.S., an estimated 8 million people live with psoriasis, over 16 million with eczema (atopic dermatitis), and approximately 6.5 million with vitiligo — many of whom require ongoing phototherapy to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

These coverage expansions lower patient out-of-pocket costs by up to 90%, enable earlier intervention that may reduce reliance on costly biologic drugs, and help insurers control costs. For insurers, home phototherapy offers a cost-effective alternative that can reduce annual treatment expenses by thousands of dollars per patient compared to systemic and biologic therapies [2].

The peer-reviewed LITE Study found that home phototherapy delivers equivalent efficacy to in-office care, ~3× higher adherence, and the convenience of avoiding 2–3 clinic visits per week [1]. "With both Cigna and Elevance now on board, this is a watershed moment for dermatologic care," said Padma Sundar, Chief Commercial Officer at Phothera. "Millions more patients can now receive proven, effective treatment in the comfort of their own home — without unnecessary cost or access barriers."

References:

[1] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cigna-expands-coverage-for-home-phototherapy--no-restrictions-302541649.html
[2] https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/psoriasis-treatment-cost-comparison-biologics-versus-home-phototherapy