"The Big Picture" Newsletter
January 2007
Special Feature
CIGNA rings in 2007 with website redesign
New look, new structure for CIGNA.com makes finding information even easier
CIGNA has begun the new year with a major redesign of its flagship web site, CIGNA.com. Visitors familiar with the previous design will immediately notice the new look and simplified navigation, which reflects the company's mission to promote consumer engagement, health advocacy and the effective delivery of information. Features specifically for brokers include information for small groups by state, a full list of Producer Communications – such as Alerts and our monthly Producer Newsletter (with links to previously released issues) – business information such as licensing and commissions, and a comprehensive sales contact list by state.
Latest News
More employers and employees are reaping the benefits of wellness
Offering wellness programs is saving money, and in some cases, even lives
Encouraging employees to participate in programs such as health screenings and health risk assessements is having a positive effect on company costs, according to a Wall Street Journal article titled,  The Road to Wellness is Starting at the Office. For Cadmus Communications, health care costs were rising at a rate of $2 million per year, but after integrating a wellness program into its health benefits offering, saw costs rise only $500,000 last year. In addition, Freddie Mac saved $900,000 in medical and lost productivity costs after installing an inhouse clinic for employees.
Product Spotlight
Disease Management
Lowering health risks helps lower cost. And for folks with chronic conditions, disease management can be an essential way to lower health risks. The question then becomes which programs to offer? For years, CIGNA Well Aware for Better Health® programs have been setting the disease management standard. Key reasons for success of the programs have been continual improvement, intervention with members and ongoing evaluation. CIGNA Well Aware programs are provided through a long-standing relationship with Healthways, Inc., an industry leader in call center operations and program delivery.
Specialized pharmacy programs launched to increase savings and wellness
New CIGNA offerings target members as well as providers
In a continuing effort to help employers and employees manage pharmacy costs, CIGNAhas introduced two clinical pharmacy initiatives to help improve safety and outcomes for members and offer client savings opportunities of approximately $.20 to $.35 per month. The Complex Psychiatric Program, a joint initiative between CIGNA Pharmacy Management and CIGNA Behavioral Health, focuses on psychotropic medications (those that affect the mind), and is designed to help foster appropriate levels of care among members and help ensure adherence to prescriptions. The Narcotics Therapy Management Program is a provider-based initiative to help reduce prescription drug fraud and abuse and facilitate treatment for substance abuse.
The advantages of integrating medical and dental benefits go beyond simplified administration
CIGNA Dental connects the health and well-being of employees to the health of the employer's bottom line
CIGNA Dental believes that oral health has effects that reach far beyond the teeth and gums. Periodontal (gum) disease can have potentially significant systemic health implications and mounting research has linked it to complications for pre-term birth, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The good news is that appropriate treatment for gum disease may help improve outcomes and lower medical costs for populations at risk. CIGNA Dental has followed the research closely, Turning Evidence Into ActionSM with benefit enhancements for populations at risk. Learn about the CIGNA Dental Oral Health Integration Program and our actions to create and deliver innovative coverage options that address medical/dental integration.
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
Eric Elliott named president of CIGNA Pharmacy Management (CPM)
Returns to CIGNA to oversee CPM and CIGNA Tel-Drug
CIGNA HealthCare has announced that pharmacy management verteran Eric Elliotthas been named president of CIGNA Pharmacy Management, returning him to the organization where he formerly ran product, sales, e-business, and CIGNA Tel-Drug, CIGNA's home-delivery and specialty pharmacy service. Most recently, Eric held senior executive positions at Aetna, leading their pharmacy and limited benefit/voluntary businesses.
Health Care News and Trends
Study shows general satisfaction among employees with current health care coverage
Those opting for consumer-directed health plans still in the minority
A recent survey showed that most employees feel their current plan choices will meet their needs in the upcoming year, but a minority has chosen a consumer-directed plan. According to the Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll, 89% of adults with employer-sponsored health insurance feel very or somewhat confident that their coverage will meet their needs in the upcoming year, and only 6% plan to switch coverage. However, only 17% of those surveyed said they were enrolled or will enroll in flexible spending accounts, and only 6% said they will enroll in medical saving accounts, health reimbursement accounts or health savings accounts.
“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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