An amended complaint to a class-action lawsuit alleges that Cigna is improperly refusing to apply obligated discounts for medical services.

The complaint in U.S. District Court in Connecticut adds state law claims by the American Medical Association, the Medical Society of New Jersey and the Washington State Medical Association to the ERISA claims previously asserted by three individuals. Cigna's actions caused physicians to be underpaid and damaged the patient-physician relationship, according to the associations.

The individual plaintiffs were enrolled in Cigna-administered health plans offered by their employers and received care from physicians who are part of the MultiPlan Network. As part of this network, these physicians agreed not to hold their patients liable for the difference between the original billed charges and the MultiPlan rate. However, the plaintiffs allege that Cigna frequently refuses to do so and instead pays a much lower rate, even though the physician has not agreed to accept that lower amount as payment in full.