Inside the Strategy Room 286. The Cigna Group’s Brian Evanko on improving affordability and prevention in healthcare
Jan 15, 2026
Brian Evanko, president and COO of The Cigna Group, dives into the pressing issues of healthcare affordability and accessibility. He discusses the essential role of AI in this transformation while highlighting trends in personalized medicine and chronic care management. Evanko emphasizes Cigna's innovative partnerships and the push for timely information through virtual care. He also touches on the need for deep listening in the industry and the importance of building trust as insurers evolve into trusted advocates for patients.
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Innovation Has Driven Costs Up
- Healthcare has seen massive device and pharmaceutical innovation but rising costs have made affordability the primary US healthcare problem.
- Brand drugs are a small share of prescriptions yet account for most spending, driving affordability issues.
Use Competition To Lower Drug Prices
- Use biosimilars and generics to leverage competition and reduce drug costs for patients.
- Cigna introduced $0 out-of-pocket biosimilars for Humira, saving customers substantial amounts quickly.
Consumers Expect Personalized Care
- Consumer expectations from other industries are rising and healthcare must match them with personalization.
- Advanced analytics and AI can enable personalized care experiences at scale.