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Alerts

April 1, 2008

Acquisition of Great-West Healthcare Complete!


As of April 1, 2008, Great-West Healthcare is part of CIGNA. This acquisition further expands CIGNA's strong middle market position and accelerates its growth in the small segment, one of the areas targeted as part of CIGNA's strategic plan. This combined organization will offer clients an expanded suite of product and funding options. As CIGNA combines these two organizations, preserving service quality, maintaining account management relationships and preventing disruption to our clients and members will be a top priority. Clients can expect to continue to receive the same quality care and service that they have come to expect from CIGNA. Read more.

March 14, 2008

CIGNA to Launch New HRA and Online Coaching


We're excited to announce that beginning March 31, CIGNA members will have access to a new, more powerful Health Risk Assessment (HRA) and new online coaching programs designed to drive higher levels of engagement in preventive and health improvement practices. The new tools are available through our new Health and Wellness Center portal on myCIGNA.com and mycareallies.com.

Through our exclusive arrangement with the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center (UM-HMRC), members will have access to a customized version of the nationally-recognized University of Michigan HRA, which includes productivity questions designed by Ron Kessler of Harvard Medical School. This new HRA replaces the WebMD Health Quotient™ HRA we were using.

Learn more about these exciting new capabilities in the Big Picture newsletter.

Click here to watch a demo of new features.

Click here to download a fact sheet on the new CIGNA Health Risk Assessment.

Click here to download a fact sheet on the new CIGNA Online Coaching Programs.

January 9, 2008

CIGNA HealthCare PPO Plans Nationwide Earn Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance


In a press release issued today, CIGNA HealthCare announced it has earned full accreditation for its PPO plans nationwide from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The “Full” accreditation – currently NCQA’s highest accreditation rating for a PPO – underscores the quality of CIGNA HealthCare' benefits plans.

November 26, 2007

CIGNA to Acquire Denver-based Great-West Healthcare


In a press release issued today, CIGNA announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Great-West Healthcare, headquartered in Colorado. This transaction will broaden CIGNA's distribution reach and provider network in key geographic areas of the country, particularly the Western regions of the United States, and expand the range of health benefits and products it offers, particularly to small to mid-sized employers. More details to follow in the December issue of "The Big Picture" newsletter.

October 17, 2007

Report Shows Success of CIGNA Consumer Driven Health Plans

CIGNA releases ground-breaking second year study results underscoring the success of our consumer driven health plans (CDHP) product suite in delivering quality care while reducing costs over a sustained period of time.

October 11, 2007

CIGNA Announces Special Producer Incentive Program


CIGNA HealthCare understands that choice is important. That's why we're offering a special AwardperQs program that allows your firm to earn points for each new medical account with a Shared Returns funding arrangement sold by your firm. See this 2-page summary (PDF 104k) for more information.

August 1, 2007

CIGNA HealthCare Acquires Indiana-based Sagamore Health Network


In a press release issued today, CIGNA HealthCare announced that it has acquired Sagamore Health Network, Inc., the largest leased health care provider network in Indiana. Sagamore provides access to an extensive, highly-regarded preferred provider network consisting of 9,400 primary care physicians, 26,600 specialists, 1,100 ancillary providers and 210 hospitals. Sagamore also offers access to a broad range of utilization review and case management services.

December 13, 2006

CIGNA Expands Consumer Engagement Capabilities with University of Michigan and vielife


In a press release issued yesterday, CIGNA HealthCare announced a long-term agreement with the University of Michigan that gives it access to intellectual property developed by Professor D.W. Edington, Ph.D. and the researchers within the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center (UM-HMRC), a world-wide leader in studying how health choices influence total health and productivity, quality of life and health care economics throughout a lifetime.

In a related press release issued today, CIGNA HealthCare announced the acquisition of U.K.-based vielife, a leading international provider of online health management and coaching programs.

These agreements reinforce CIGNA HealthCare’s ability to lead the industry in consumer engagement. The integration of vielife’s consumer interface platform with CIGNA's robust portfolio of health and wellness programs and the expanded health advocacy programs, analytic capabilities and reporting abilities available through UM-HMRC, enables CIGNA to begin developing the industry’s next generation of integrated health advocacy programs.

December 1, 2006

CIGNA HealthCare to Acquire Memphis-based Mid-South Administrative Group


In a press release issued today, CIGNA HealthCare announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Memphis-based Mid-South Administrative Group, LLC. (MSAG). Existing customers of MSAG may either continue their current arrangements and access their existing provider networks, or choose from CIGNA HealthCare’s suite of products and services, including access to its national provider network. 

October 31, 2006

CIGNA HealthCare Introduces HealthePassSM to Help Patients Pay for Health Care

Will leverage American Express expertise, endorsed by the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA)

Today CIGNA is announcing HealthePass, a comprehensive new solution designed to simplify and improve payment processes to help patients anticipate and manage their health care costs, shorten provider revenue cycle and help address patient bad debt. HealthePass is being developed leveraging the expertise of American Express, Thomson MedStat, and Metavante.

October 25, 2006

CIGNA HealthCare Expands Voluntary Product Portfolio

Launches Fundamental Care to bridge the gap between limited-benefit and traditional major medical plans

We are excited to announce the expansion of CIGNA HealthCare's voluntary product portfolio with the launch of Fundamental Care. This plan is designed to bridge the gap between limited-benefit and traditional major medical plans.

October 18, 2006

CT General Assembly Sets Maximum Copays for MRI and CAT Scans - Effective October 1, 2006


Please be aware that the General Assembly enacted a new law applicable to group and individual health insurance policies delivered or issued for delivery in Connecticut.

In response to PA 06-180: Access to Imaging Services Act, effective October 1, 2006, CIGNA HealthCare of Connecticut, Inc. and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company will limit applicable in-network member co-payments as described below.

Member co-payments for all combined magnetic resonance imaging, (MRI) or computed axial tomography (CAT) will not exceed $375.00 annually or exceed $75.00 for each in-network MRI or CAT. If the imaging services are rendered by the prescribing physician during an office visit, only the applicable office visit co-payment, will apply.

Additionally, CIGNA HealthCare of Connecticut, Inc. and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company Member co-payments for positron emissions tomography (PET) will not exceed $375.00 annually or exceed $75.00 for each PET. Please note that the Connecticut law allows carriers to require member co-payments of up to $400.00 annually and $100.00 for each in-network PET service, but CIGNA's approach is to assess all its 'Advanced Radiology' Imaging Services (MRI, CAT and PET) at $75.00 per scan and to apply a uniform $375.00 annual co-payment cap to PETs (in addition to the $375.00 co-payment cap for combined MRIs and CATs) for in-network services to be consistent.

Please note that this change is applicable to Connecticut General Life Insurance Company insurance policies and CIGNA HealthCare of Connecticut, Inc. commercial HMO plans effective 10/1/06. Your Certificate of Coverage and Summary of Benefit language will be updated upon renewal and the annual co-payment caps of $375.00 will begin on that plan renewal date.

October 17, 2006

Creditable Coverage Annual Disclosure Reminder


Under the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, new Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) went into effect on January 1, 2006. Under the new legislation, employers whose plans provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare-eligible active employees and dependents as well as Medicare-eligible retirees and dependents are required to:
  • Annually disclose to those persons whether the pharmacy plan is "creditable" or "non-creditable" ("creditable" means the prescription drug coverage provided is at least as rich - actuarially equivalent - as the standard plan outlined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-CMS)
  • Complete an annual disclosure, online, to CMS.
Please see the PDF file Creditable Coverage Summary & Fact Sheet(PDF) for more information and feel free to share it with your clients. It was created to assist you in determining whether or not a group plan is creditable using the simplified test.

Who Must Send Notices of Creditable Coverage
All employers that provide prescription drug coverage to any Medicare-eligible person must provide annual Notice of Creditable Coverage to the Medicare-eligible persons in that plan. The only exception is for employers that provide coverage under a contracted Medicare Part D Plan (i.e., Employer PDP).

For more information on creditable coverage, including Creditable and Non-creditable coverage templates, please refer to the CMS website:www.cms.hhs.gov.

These templates can also be obtained through your CIGNA Sales Representative.
New Optional Service for Creditable Coverage Notices
While it is the responsibility of the employer CIGNA can provide assistance with this process as an optional service. As an optional service, CIGNA can distribute notices as a direct mailing. This service is available to all non-Guaranteed Cost (participating) clients. This option is available to Guaranteed Cost (fully insured, non-participating) clients on a limited basis. Employers should contact their CIGNA Representative for more information.

When Must Notices Be Sent
The CMS regulation specifies the times when creditable coverage disclosures must be made to Medicare Part D eligible individuals. At a minimum, annual disclosure must be made at the following times:
  • Prior to November 15th of each year
  • Prior to an individual's Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for Medicare Part D
  • Prior to the effective date of coverage for any Medicare eligible that joins the plan
  • Whenever prescription drug coverage ends or changes so that it is no longer creditable or becomes creditable; and
  • Upon a beneficiary's request.
How to Disclose to CMS (Annual disclosure)
In addition to the creditable coverage notification process for Medicare-eligibles, employers must disclose their creditable coverage status to CMS on an annual basis. The disclosure form is online and must be completed online. The form can be found at:
www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/ccdisclosure/default.asp

and instructions for completing the form can be located at:
PDF file www.cms.hhs.gov/CreditableCoverage/Downloads/Disclosure2CMSGdnc.pdf(PDF)

For further information the complete official guidance regarding Creditable Coverage can be found at:
www.cms.hhs.gov/creditablecoverage


"CIGNA" refers to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation. Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation. These operating subsidiaries include Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Tel-Drug, Inc. and its affiliates, CIGNA Behavioral Health, Inc., Intracorp, and HMO or service company subsidiaries of CIGNA Health Corporation and CIGNA Dental Health, Inc.

September 14, 2006

CIGNA HealthCare announces strategic alliance with MVP Health Care/Preferred Care


We are excited to announce a new strategic alliance with MVP Health Care/Preferred Care to offer on a national basis a broad suite of health insurance and self-funded health benefit plans to companies with sites and employees in upstate New York and other states. Read the announcement from MVP Health Care/Preferred Care and CIGNA HealthCare.

"CIGNA HealthCare" refers to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation. Products and services are provided by these subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation. These subsidiaries include Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, CIGNA Behavioral Health, Inc., Intracorp, and HMO or service company subsidiaries of CIGNA Health Corporation and CIGNA Dental Health, Inc. "CIGNA Tel-Drug" refers to Tel-Drug, Inc. and Tel-Drug of Pennsylvania, L.L.C., which are also operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation.

June 28, 2006

CIGNA Dental Announces Medical Claims Integration Credit

Continues Turning Evidence into Action

More and more studies show a link between gum disease and conditions such as premature birth, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Studies continue, but CIGNA is taking an industry-leading position now, putting our "money where our mouth is" with up to a 1% savings on medical claims.

Effective immediately, new clients who package CIGNA medical and dental plans with Well Aware for Better Health® for heart disease and diabetes will receive a medical claims integration credit of up to 1%. New medical/dental cases without Well Aware qualify for up to a 0.5% credit. Similar credits will also be applied to existing accounts that add either medical or dental coverage.

The driving force behind this credit is the introduction of the PDF file CIGNA Dental Oral Health Integration ProgramSM (PDF) (OHIP).

Call your CIGNA representative today to learn more.

June 21, 2006

CIGNA HealthCare to offer Health Plans for the Working Uninsured through acquisition of Star HRG


In a press release issued today, CIGNA announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Star HRG, an operating division of HealthMarkets, Inc., and a leading provider of voluntary, limited benefit, low-cost health plans and other employee benefits coverage for hourly and part-time workers and their families. Through the acquisition, CIGNA HealthCare will gain a significant presence, turn-key expertise, and immediate market-leading capabilities in the voluntary group health marketplace. In addition to hiring the executive team and employees associated with Star HRG, the acquisition includes the entire Star HRG product suite and brand names, such as the Starbridge family of products; administrative, distribution and service capabilities; and membership. The product portfolio includes medical and pharmacy coverage, employee assistance programs, and additional supplemental products such as dental and vision care.

June 21, 2006

CIGNA HealthCare Earns J.D. Power Call Center Certification for "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience"


CIGNA HealthCare has been recognized for call center operation customer satisfaction excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Certified Call Center ProgramSM - one of a select few companies in the nation to receive this certification. This certification recognizes call center personnel and procedures for courtesy, knowledge, concern for the customer, usefulness of the information provided, convenience of operating hours, ease of reaching a representative, and timely resolution.