September 29, 2025 – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and Cigna Healthcare have reached a new contract agreement that ensures access to affordable, high-quality health care for the community. The effective date for the new contract is October 1, 2025.
The new agreement reestablishes and solidifies the relationship between Cigna, Sarasota Memorial and its employed physician group First Physicians Group. Under the agreement, Cigna Healthcare commercial plan members will benefit from access to:
- Sarasota Memorial’s two acute-care hospitals
- Comprehensive network of outpatient and urgent care centers
- Primary and specialty physicians and affiliated providers employed by SMH’s First Physicians Group (FPG).
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (smh.com)
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 2 million patient visits a year across its network of care. Sarasota County’s largest employer, the community-owned health system includes two full-service hospitals in Sarasota and Venice, freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, a rehabilitation hospital, behavioral health hospital, skilled nursing facility and comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and physician practices. Founded in 1925, SMH is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2025 and encouraging community members to visit smh.com/100 throughout the year for centennial events and updates.