"The Big Picture" Newsletter

May 2008 Issue

ARIZONA EDITION

Legislative Update

The House and Senate have both passed H.B. 2847, which has been sent to the Governor for consideration. The bill mandates coverage of medically necessary services and behavioral therapy for the treatment of autism. Under H.B. 2847, behavioral therapy must be evidenced-based and is limited to a maximum benefit of $50,000 for kids through age 8, and $25,000 for kids 9 to 16. The legislation excludes out-of-state treatment and subjects coverage to all other terms and conditions of the contract, including the exclusion for experimental and investigational treatment. Other provisions include:

• Treatment must be supervised or provided by a licensed or certified provider.
• The bill does not apply to individual or small group market products.
• The bill applies to all health insurance licensed group products, including HMOs and PPOs, issued or renewed on or after June 30, 2009.
• There is a moratorium on any changes to this mandate until January 2011.

 

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

Where We Are

11001 North Black Canyon Highway, Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85029
Telephone: 602.942.4462 or 800.801.7257, then Dial 0
Fax: 602.861.8333

Who to Contact

Frank Benedetto
602.861.8166
Frank.Benedetto@CIGNA.com

Experienced Local Leadership

Kurt Weimer, President and General Manager
Kurt Weimer is responsible for strategy, growth, and client service. An experienced professional, Weimer brings in-depth knowledge and extensive management experience. His background includes more than 25 years of sales, operations, and leadership positions throughout the country with CIGNA. In these roles, Weimer improved operational efficiency, strengthened service levels and enhanced CIGNA's visibility in the market, growing new and existing business. Weimer is a dedicated volunteer for the March of Dimes, serving on the Board of Directors of Greater New York chapter. He holds a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University.

Frank Benedetto, Vice President of Sales and Service, CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona
Frank Benedetto is responsible for sales leadership and management in Arizona and Nevada. Benedetto joined CIGNA HealthCare in 1996 as a sales manager, responsible for Southern Arizona, Utah and Las Vegas. In 1999 he was promoted to executive director for CIGNA HealthCare in Tucson, overseeing sales and operations for the Tucson health plan. Most recently, he was the new business sales manager, responsible for new health plan sales to businesses with 50 or more employees in Arizona.

Prior to joining CIGNA HealthCare, Benedetto served as an account executive for PARTNERS Health Plan, a division of HealthPartners of Arizona. He has more than 15 years of sales and marketing experience. Benedetto graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in operations management. He is a non-resident board member of the Boys and Girls Club in Tucson.

Allison Lara, Vice President of Sales and Customer Relations
Allison Lara was appointed Vice President of Sales and Customer Relations in April 2005. The Small Business Group is an emerging segment within CIGNA HealthCare and Allison is tasked with the development and distribution of the small group and individual sales portfolio.

Prior to this appointment, Allison was Vice President of Customer Relations, including targeted account strategies and retention planning for Arizona customers. She joined CIGNA HealthCare in 1983 and held positions in a variety of areas including medical operations, group insurance, client services, and sales management.