Apex Leaders Urge Quick Breakthrough to Safeguard Town Employees’ Health Coverage Amid UNC Health–Cigna Impasse
Apex city officials are calling for a swift settlement in the stalemate between UNC Health and Cigna to protect the health coverage of local staff and their families. Negotiations continue, but no new deal has been announced yet.
On Friday, five days had passed since Cigna terminated UNC Health facilities from their network for patients. UNC Health indicated it sent roughly 65,000 letters to patients who relied on Cigna, warning them about the ongoing dispute.
Several patients shared concerns with WRAL News about losing coverage, including cancer survivors seeking to maintain regular care and the doctors they trust.
Mayor Jacques Gilbert expressed strong worry about anything that impacts town employees and their households. Apex employees are covered by Cigna, totaling more than 850 people and their families, according to Town Manager Randy Vosburg.
“This is my work family,” Vosburg said. “When something like this happens, I don’t like it. We hope this is resolved quickly.” The town remains in frequent contact with UNC Health and Cigna and is pressing for a deal that preserves coverage for its staff.
Vosburg described Apex’s leverage as a municipality whose insurance is provided by the same company involved in the dispute. “We’re applying pressure,” he noted, adding that frequent texts, emails, and phone calls have been sent to both UNC Health and Cigna. A meeting with Cigna occurred recently, and the town’s position in their relationship is clear. He stressed that a substantial portion of the town’s workforce relies on both Cigna and UNC, making a timely resolution crucial.
The impact extends beyond the 850 employees. Gilbert pointed out that police officers, firefighters, public works personnel, and electric utility workers—those who serve the community daily—are affected. Apex’s identity as “The peak of living” hinges on the health and wellbeing of these employees, who in turn support the 82,000 residents who depend on prompt emergency services.
UNC Health told WRAL News that negotiations with Cigna continue and that efforts are being made to minimize care disruptions, including assisting patients with Continuity of Care requests when appropriate. Cigna has not responded to WRAL News’ latest requests for updates as of Friday.
Earlier in the week, Cigna released a statement acknowledging an offer to extend the current contract with UNC Health, reiterating the goal to keep UNC Health in-network and to reach a fair agreement for customers and their families. The company also emphasized ongoing discussions.
As the weekend approaches, Vosburg is keeping an eye on year-end developments. A change in calendar could influence coverage status into the new year. If negotiations stretch into January, discussions are likely to intensify, potentially prompting a broader reconsideration of contracts for Apex.
Voices around Apex worry about a possible New Year without Cigna coverage for town employees. Vosburg admitted that all options would be on the table, including contract reviews and other contingencies, should a resolution not emerge promptly.
Additional context notes that more than 65,000 UNC Health patients with Cigna insurance face uncertainty after the insurer’s contract expired this week. As negotiations continue, affected Cigna members using UNC Health face higher costs out-of-network or the need to find new providers, unless a new agreement is reached.
Would this dispute overreach its immediate effects or push for broader changes in how the town and its employees manage health coverage in the future? Share your thoughts on whether the community should push for a long-term, in-network solution with protections for employees, or prefer a quicker, temporary arrangement to minimize disruption.
