What to do when a Cigna account holder dies
Report the death to Cigna's Pittsburgh Claim Service Center at 1-888-842-4462
Filing a death claim on a Cigna policy begins with notifying the Pittsburgh Claim Service Center at 1-888-842-4462. Life insurance claims are separate from probate—proceeds transfer directly to named beneficiaries regardless of whether the estate goes through court. The timeline and documentation requirements depend on the policy type and cause of death.
The first step is contacting Cigna at 1-888-842-4462 with the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate in hand.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Cigna:
Filing a claim
- A beneficiary files at nylgbslifeclaims.com/claims
- An employer files at nylgbslifeclaims.com/portal
- Claim status and general questions: 1-888-842-4462 (Español 1-866-562-8241), Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. CT
- Questions about the claim: 1-800-238-2125, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET
- Sections A and C for an employee death; Sections A, B and C for a dependent spouse or child
- All of the enrollment history where voluntary or employee-paid benefits are claimed
- The form goes to the claim office with a death certificate, the beneficiary designation and enrollment information
- Section D covers an accidental death: the date and time of the accident and where and how it happened
- Each beneficiary reviews pages 1 through 7 and completes the appropriate pages
- For an insured claimant who is deceased, Cigna's claim forms ask for the death certificate and a disclosure authorization for the deceased from the employee's Human Resources department
- Questions about filing: 1-800-754-3207, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET
- New York Life Group Benefit Solutions, Pittsburgh Claim Service Center, P.O. Box 22328, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-0328
- Fax printed on the form: 1-877-300-6770; toll free 1-800-238-2125
- Claim Department, New York Life Group Benefit Solutions, P.O. Box 22328, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-0328
- Cigna's claim forms: email SuppHealthClaims@CignaHealthcare.com or mail Cigna Supplemental Health Solutions, P.O. Box 188028, Chattanooga, TN 37422
- Cigna's Contact Numbers page lists Cigna Healthcare Phoenix Claim Services, PO Box 55290, Phoenix, AZ 85078 as the claims mailing address
Required Documents
- Group/Association Proof of Loss (Form LMS-613500), for group life or accidental deathThe employer completes Sections A and C, and Section B for a dependent; each beneficiary completes the appropriate pages.
- Death certificate, with the Proof of Loss
- Most recent beneficiary designation, where one is on file for the employee
- Enrollment history for the employee and the dependent, where voluntary or employee-paid benefits are claimed
- Copy of any assignment taken, where an assignment has been taken
- Court order establishing guardianship of the minor's estate, where the beneficiary is a minor and guardianship of the minor's estate has been establishedSection E also asks for the name and address of the legal guardian.
- Completed IRS Form W-9, where the beneficiary is a U.S. entity
- Funeral assignment and itemized bill, where a funeral home takes an assignment of the benefitThe funeral home gives them to the beneficiary, and the employer files them with the life insurance claim.
- Group Universal Life and Group Variable Universal Life Insurance Claim Form (568796), for Group Universal Life or Group Variable Universal LifeEach beneficiary submits his or her own claim statement.
- Copy of the insured's death certificate, with the Group Universal Life or Group Variable Universal Life claim formThe form says the claim cannot be processed without it.
- Copy of the Trust Agreement, where Group Universal Life or Group Variable Universal Life insurance is payable to a trustThe trustee then completes the claim form.
- Copy of the administrator's or executor's appointment certificate, where Group Universal Life or Group Variable Universal Life insurance is payable to the insured's estate
- Death certificate and a disclosure authorization for the deceased, on a Cigna supplemental health claim filed on behalf of an insured claimant who is deceasedThe disclosure authorization can be obtained from the employee's Human Resources department.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Cigna issues4
- Group/Association - Proof of Loss, Life Insurance Accidental Death Insurance (LMS-613500, Revised 04/2026)
Completed by the employer, and each beneficiary for the appropriate pages. Available to download.1
- Group Universal Life and Group Variable Universal Life Insurance Claim Form (568796, Revised 09/2026)
Completed by each beneficiary. Available to download.2
- Cigna Supplemental Health Solutions Claim Form
Completed online.3
- Accidental Injury, Critical Illness and Hospital Care Claim Forms
Available to download.3
Accounts handled elsewhere2
- NYL GBS Survivor Assurance
Questions about a Survivor Assurance account; balances can be checked online1
Phone: 1-800-570-3778
Mailing address: NYL GBS Survivor Assurance, PO Box 534029, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4029
- NYL GBS Survivor Assurance rate line
The current Survivor Assurance interest rate1
Phone: 1-855-836-0697
Help Cigna offers survivors4
- Survivor Support Specialists
One-on-one help with the life and AD&D claims process, obtaining death certificates, locating forms, finding funeral homes and making assignments with them. Call 1-888-842-4462, extension 1013382, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET.4
- Empathy
New York Life has partnered with Empathy to help with the practical and emotional challenges after a loss, including probate and estate guidance. The claims paperwork explains how to access it.4
Who qualifies: Eligible participants at the time of a death claim.
- Employee Assistance & Wellness Support
Counseling sessions with certified clinicians and resiliency coaching, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.5
Who qualifies: Beneficiaries of NYL GBS life and AD&D policies; not available for policies issued by New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY.
- Financial, Legal & Estate Support
Unlimited consultations for financial planning and legal support from certified professionals.5
Who qualifies: Beneficiaries of NYL GBS life and AD&D policies; not available for policies issued by New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY.
What Cigna's agreement and guidance say4
- How proceeds are paid
If the benefit is $5,000 or more, NYL GBS automatically opens a free, interest-bearing NYL GBS Survivor Assurance account in the beneficiary's name; a benefit under $5,000 is paid by check.1
The claim form says a beneficiary who does not separately sign its Survivor Assurance section is not participating and receives a single lump sum check if the claim is approved. The disclosure notice also gives the right to an initial lump-sum payment by bank check.1
Personalized drafts are mailed once the claim is approved, and interest is compounded daily and credited monthly. If the Survivor Assurance balance falls below $250, NYL GBS sends a check for the balance and closes the account.2
NYL GBS accepts funeral assignments. Once the claim is approved, payment for funeral expenses goes directly to the funeral home and any balance goes to the beneficiary.6
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
A beneficiary may name a beneficiary to the Survivor Assurance account. If the account becomes inactive and no named beneficiary can be located, NYL GBS returns the remaining balance to the state of residence.1
- Payment to a minor or incapacitated beneficiary
On a Group Universal Life or Group Variable Universal Life claim, a guardian of a minor beneficiary's estate must be appointed, must complete the claim form and must send a copy of the appointment with it.2
A minor beneficiary cannot sign a funeral assignment, and generally a parent cannot assign the minor's interest to the funeral home. A court order is many times required; NYL GBS honors one that is clear.6
- Wills, probate and small estates
On a Group Universal Life or Group Variable Universal Life claim payable to the insured's estate, an administrator or executor must be appointed and must complete the claim form.2
Not in Cigna's published guidance1
- How long a claim takes
Sources6
- 1.Group/Association - Proof of Loss, Life Insurance Accidental Death Insurance (LMS-613500), Revised 04/2026
- 2.Group Universal Life and Group Variable Universal Life Insurance Claim Form (568796), Revised 09/2026
- 3.Supplemental Health Claim Form (Cigna Healthcare)
- 4.Beneficiary Resources (New York Life Group Benefit Solutions)
- 5.Group Life Insurance (New York Life Group Benefit Solutions)
- 6.Funeral Assignments: A Job Aid for Clients Regarding Funeral Assignments
Cigna's Pittsburgh Claim Service Center can be reached by phone at 1-888-842-4462 and fax at 1-877-300-6770 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Cigna primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Cigna death claims support
Pittsburgh Claim Service Center
Phone
Toll-free
Claim Form Questions / Proof of Loss Toll Free
Survivor Support Specialists
Spanish Language Life/AD&D Claims
NYL GBS Survivor Assurance Account Questions
Cigna Group Universal Life
Cigna Supplemental Health Claims
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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