Commemorating the First Anniversary of Health Care Reform

As we mark the one-year anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), it's a good opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months.

It's clear the PPACA has changed America's health care regulatory landscape. Together, we've already accomplished a lot, but there’s much more to come as the new law continues to unfold.

Here at Cigna, we'll continue to work hard and help you navigate this law and proactively address its impact on you and your customers.

Click here for a glossary of terms related to health care reform.

Watch a brief video marking the PPACA anniversary.

Navigating the Landscape
With the passage of PPACA, our leadership has been involved at all levels with the federal government. We’ve spent an enormous amount of time analyzing the law while serving as an advocate and leader on reform.

Our goal is to help position the people we serve for long-term success while helping ensure PPACA compliance along the way. We’re here to help you minimize risks and maximize opportunities while aligning your strategies around enhanced health, wellness and productivity objectives. It’s all part of our unwavering focus on helping the people we serve improve their health, well-being and sense of security.

The Road Ahead
To date, we've implemented the health insurance reform provisions that have become effective since passage of the legislation. In addition, this year we will:

  • Begin to understand the requirements to standardize and simplify coverage documents and medical terms. Cigna has been providing our customers simplified health care documents and terms for many years.
  • Prepare for upcoming reporting requirements for plan or coverage benefits and health care professional reimbursement structures.
  • Continue supporting the strategic decisions facing our clients and the brokers and consultants with which we work, regarding the individual and employer mandates, state exchanges and employee engagement.

Click here for a timeline of key accomplishments to date and upcoming milestones.

Managing Legal Challenges

There are a number of court rulings dealing with the individual mandate. Some judges have upheld the mandate while others have held it to be unconstitutional. Ultimately, we expect the earliest the Supreme Court will rule is late 2011 or 2012.

Since the individual mandate is not effective until 2014, earlier court rulings have no immediate impact and do not affect ongoing implementation of the PPACA. Unless the Supreme Court decides otherwise, the law remains in effect. Cigna is continuing its PPACA implementation and remains compliant with those provisions already in place.

Impact Your Business
It's more important than ever that our industry – and those affected by it – continue to be part of the health care reform solution. Together, we can lower costs, enhance access and improve health.

As an employer, broker or consultant, there's a lot you can do. First, you can communicate frequently with your partners and customers. To do so, it's important for you to thoroughly understand PPACA, at least to the extent it’s defined today. Know which cost levers and triggers may affect you and employees. Continue learning and evaluating the law as it unfolds over time, and advocate for the things that are most important to you and the individuals you serve.

Ongoing Support
For more information, contact your Cigna sales representative or visit InformedonReform.com. Together, we'll help you navigate the new health care reform landscape.

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