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"The Big Picture" Newsletter
February 2007
Special Feature
myCIGNA.com redesign to enhance consumer engagement
Updated site to launch in late February, 2007
CIGNA wants consumers to become engaged in managing their health, which requires giving them easy access to health and benefit information. In late 2006, this commitment took shape with the major redesign of CIGNA.com, offering a new look and more intuitive navigation. And now this month, CIGNA will debut a similar initiative with a redesign of its award-winning member portal – myCIGNA.com. The revamped site will offer CIGNA HealthCare members quicker and easier access to their personal health information, plan benefits and transactions detail, and quality and/or cost information for hospitals, outpatient facilities, specialists and prescription medications tailored according to the individual member’s health and plan.
Latest News
CIGNA Corporation reports fourth quarter and full 2006 results
Chairman and CEO Hanway: A strong quarter and a successful year
CIGNA announced its fourth quarter and full year 2006 earnings on February 7, 2007. For full year 2006, CIGNA reported adjusted income from operations of $1.06 billion, or $9.45 per share, compared with $1.04 billion, or $8.03 per share in 2005. CIGNA achieved its primary objective for 2006, which was to profitably grow medical membership. As CIGNA Chairman and CEO H. Edward Hanway said, "our health care, group disability and life, and international operations generated strong results in 2006 demonstrating our ability to deliver innovative health and related business solutions to meet customers' needs."
CIGNA teams with Lance Armstrong Foundation
Expanded resources for members in CIGNA Comprehensive Oncology ProgramSM
CIGNA has teamed up with the Lance Armstrong Foundation to provide members in our Comprehensive Oncology Program with additional resources that help inform and empower them in dealing with cancer and its effects on physical, emotional, financial and spiritual health. The Lance Armstrong Foundation, under the LIVESTRONG™ banner, helps people facing cancer focus on living through support, education, and other resources. CIGNA HealthCare is the only national health carrier licensed by the Foundation to offer these educational and support resources.
Product Spotlight
CFC albuterol inhalers being phased out in 2007
CIGNA alerting members, and others, of transition
As part of its commitment to provide quality health care benefits and keep clients informed, CIGNA will be notifying members, employers and physicians of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision that all albuterol inhalers containing CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) be phased out beginning January 1, 2007. The phased-out inhalers must be replaced with environmentally-friendly hydrofluroalkane-based (HFA) albuterol inhalers by the end of 2008 – a process that CIGNA Pharmacy Management expects to be accelerated by difficulties obtaining CFC-based inhalers as early as this month.
Consumers can now meet therapists online, before the first appointment
Enhanced CBH provider directory includes photos, more information
Behavioral health therapy is one of the most intimate settings a consumer can experience, which is why choosing a therapist can sometimes be an obstacle. To help consumers be more comfortable in making their decisions, and reduce the likelihood of trying several providers before the choice is made, CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH) has made it possible to get acquainted with therapists online – before making an appointment. Provider search results at the CBH web site (www.cignabehavioral.com) now include provider profiles and pictures along with standard office information, using information submitted by the providers themselves.
CIGNA Dental Develops Children’s Dental Health Toolkit
Tools and activities aim to help kids establish healthy dental habits
Good oral health starts early, and as part of National Children’s Dental Health Month, CIGNA Dental is helping our members teach their children good oral health habits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by age 11, approximately half of all children have experienced tooth decay. By the age of 19, decay in the permanent teeth affects 68 percent of adolescents.
CIGNA Dental’s Children’s Dental Health Toolkit includes  educational materials (PDF 72k) for parents, a cavity risk assessment checklist, (PDF 156k) a daily dental care tracker (PDF 63k), and fun activities for kids. Employers can share these materials with employees, or use them in dental awareness sessions at on-site childcare facilities or classrooms. CIGNA Dental’s mascot, Mikey Molar, is also available for appearances at these events.
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.)
Organizational Announcements
G. William Hoagland to lead CIGNA Public Policy Group
Will help develop CIGNA policies and advocacy positions
CIGNA has announced that G. William Hoagland, a top aide to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, will lead the company's new Public Policy Group, where he will work with CIGNA's business leaders, as well as trade associations, business coalitions and interest groups, to develop CIGNA's policy and advocacy positions at both the federal and state levels. Hoagland has more than 30 years of government experience in numerous roles including public policy analysis and management and legislation development and implementation.
James E. Rogers joins CIGNA Board of Directors
Duke Energy head also leads several non-profit groups
James E. Rogers, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Duke Energy Corporation of Charlotte, NC, will join CIGNA Corporation's Board of Directors effective February 26, 2007 for a term expiring in April 2009. In addition to his leadership posts at Duke Energy, Rogers also currently serves as a director of several non-profit organizations, including the National Coalition on Health Care, The Business Roundtable, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Coal Council and the Alliance to Save Energy.
“CIGNA” and “CIGNA HealthCare” refer 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. In Arizona, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona, Inc. In California, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA 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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