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Latest News
Great-West Healthcare is Now Part of CIGNA
Expanded suite of product and funding options will be offered
As of April 1, 2008, Great-West Healthcare is now a 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.
Read more information here.
CIGNA Endorses National “Patient Charter”
CIGNA joins leading consumer, employer, and labor organization in push for physician performance measurement standards
CIGNA is joining a group of leading consumer, employer, physician and labor organizations in endorsing a national “Patient Charter” that calls for full transparency of physician performance measures and independent review of health plan physician performance measurement programs. “Endorsing the Patient Charter is a natural extension of our leadership in providing consumers with health information to help them make decisions about their care,” said Jeff Kang, M.D., chief medical officer for CIGNA. “Our support for the Patient Charter also signals our continued commitment to having our processes for measuring physician performance validated by outside, independent organizations.”
Read more information here.
CIGNA Introduces Enhanced Quality and Cost Capabilities
Web tool provides easy-to-understand information in one search function
This month CIGNA will launch new health care quality and cost capabilities providing members with one seamless experience on myCIGNA.com. CIGNA Care Connections allows members to find understandable information for an entire episode of care. Members can find most probable causes for a symptom, identify health risks, find a doctor or hospital, discover alternative treatments, understand likely procedures or surgeries associated with that condition, and possible medications. Throughout each inquiry members will also view related costs and quality results that are market-specific.
Download a capabilities flyer here.
Saving on Prescriptions Now Easier For Many CIGNA Members
Online generic coupons and easy-to-use price comparisons are latest additions to myCIGNA.com
CIGNA Pharmacy Management® members can now get electronic generic prescription discount coupons online at myCIGNA.com. Members in self-funded plans that participate in CIGNA’s Save with Generics program can download a coupon for a reduced co-payment on their first fill of various generic medications.
Read more information here.
CIGNA's Intracorp First in Case Management for Ninth Straight Year
Intracorp managed approximately 1.4 million cases in 2007
For the ninth consecutive year, Intracorp has been named the nation’s leading case management services provider by Business Insurance magazine.
Read more information here.
Product Spotlight
CIGNA Dental Provides Affordable Dental Benefit Solutions in a Cost-Conscious Economy
DHMO plans optimize savings without compromising benefits, access to quality care, or service
Given the state of the economy, both employers and consumers are more open to considering money-saving options. As a result, the CIGNA Dental Care® (DHMO) product is getting increased attention.
Employees have different needs based on life stage, income, family size and oral health – and a dental plan is not “one size fits all.” Where appropriate for the geographic area, it makes sense for employers to consider offering a CIGNA DHMO plan either standalone, or alongside our DPPO to give employees more choice.
Read more information here.
 Regional News
What's happening locally
CIGNA HealthCare news for your area
Get
the latest CIGNA HealthCare news for your part of the country. Every
month, we post new articles of interest and update the states to
which they apply. Here's where you'll also find up-to-date local
contact information to help you with your questions and concerns.
Want to know the news for your area? Find out here.
(NOTE: States with new articles of special interest
are highlighted in blue.)
Health Care News and Trends
Employers Can Work With Pharmacy Benefit Managers to Protect Employees
Effective pharmacy benefit plans can help minimize the number of accidents
Pharmaceuticals are an important element in providing quality health care today. With the use of medications we are able to treat more conditions, prevent catastrophic health events from occurring, and keep people healthy. However, all of these advances are not risk free. Medications do not react the same in every individual. A lack of information or ignoring the available information about the potential risks and side-effects can lead to disastrous results. Employers may not be aware that there are many safety programs a health plan or pharmacy benefit management (PBM) company can put into place to help protect their employees from potential adverse drug reactions or overdoses.
Read the full article by Thom Stambaugh, R.Ph., MBA, Chief Pharmacy Officer and Vice President of Clinical Programs and Specialty Pharmacy for CIGNA Pharmacy Management.
Reduce Retiree Liability and Still Provide Cost-Effective and Affordable Medical Benefits to Pre-65 Retirees
Eliminating retiree medical coverage could keep employees from retiring
Today’s employers face numerous challenges when it comes to providing employee benefits. One of the greatest issues facing employers today – and for many years to come – is how to continue providing cost-effective medical benefits for employees who wish to retire before they become eligible for Medicare.
Read the full article.
Webinars and Newsletters
Legislative Update and the Impact on Health Care Reform Webinar
Academy by CIGNA presents a complimentary Webinar on May 6, 2008 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Eastern Time featuring William Hoagland, CIGNA Vice President of Public Policy.
To register for the Webinar, please click here and provide your name, company and e-mail address. We will provide a confirmation email with access information.
Innovative Approaches to Productivity Management
Latest Webinar in CIGNA-sponsored series discusses a new role for disability programs in workplace health
A comprehensive strategy for managing workplace productivity can improve the health and well-being of employees and effectively control the total cost of injury and illness for employers. Learn how forward-thinking disability management programs can help prevent or reduce disability claim incidence. And, when disabilities are not preventable or foreseeable, discover how a new approach to disability management can pay off even more.
Join us for session three on May 15 at 2pm Eastern time as we offer practical advice and real-life examples of how companies are able to minimize time out of work, reduce barriers to getting employees safely back to work, and successfully keep employees on the job following a disability.
Register for the session today.
Latest News From Other CIGNA Producer Newsletters
CIGNA Voluntary Limited-Benefit Plans – Winter, 2007/2008 Newsletter
CIGNA Group Benefits Bulletin – Special Health & Productivity Newsletter
CIGNA Dental Quarterly Newsletter – Winter 2008
“CIGNA,” “CIGNA Group Insurance,” "CIGNA HealthCare," "CIGNA International” and the “Tree of Life” logo are registered service marks of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA Corporation and its operating subsidiaries. All products and services are provided exclusively by such operating subsidiaries and other contracted companies and not by CIGNA Corporation. Such operating subsidiaries include Connecticut General Life Insurance Company; Life Insurance Company of North America; CIGNA Life Insurance Company of New York; 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. In Arizona, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona, Inc. In California, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA HealthCare of California, Inc. and Great-West Healthcare of California, Inc. In Connecticut, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA HealthCare of Connecticut, Inc. In Virginia, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA HealthCare Mid-Atlantic, Inc. In North Carolina, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. All other medical plans in these states are insured or administered by Connecticut General Life Insurance Company.
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