"The Big Picture" Newsletter

May 2008 Issue

New Enhancements to Consumer Health Improvement Tools

New Heath Statements and Health Risk Assessment among new features

At CIGNA, we believe there is no more important service we can provide than to help improve the health and productivity of the companies and individuals we serve. That’s why we offer one of the most extensive suites of health risk identification and coach-led health improvement programs in the nation. And it’s why we’re tirelessly working to deliver innovative, easy-to-use tools and information to help empower individuals to make smart decisions about their health. 

Here’s a quick look at what clients and their employees can expect to see this month:

• Tracking the balance in CIGNA Choice Fund consumer-directed health plan accounts just got easier thanks to our new easy-to-read quarterly Health Statements. This single statement lets employees track balances in their health savings, health reimbursement and flexible spending accounts; check claim and payment activity for their entire family; and view the status of deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums to help them get the most out of their health care spending.

• What if people could see into the future and know more now about the things they’re doing – or not doing – that are likely to result in health risks and health care expenses down the road? CIGNA is giving individuals the ability to do just that by launching its sophisticated, “next generation” health risk assessment and predictive capabilities, powered by the University of Michigan. CIGNA is also coupling these capabilities with new online health coaching programs in the areas of sleep, stress, nutrition and physical activity that help motivate and support people to address these health risks. Both tools are available now in the new my health and wellness center on mycigna.com. Read more information here.

• Imagine having the power to prevent costly and dangerous medical errors. Well it’s possible, and it’s happening now, thanks to CIGNA's new Well Informed program. Using state-of-the art claims tracking and sophisticated software analytics, we’re proactively reviewing claims for individuals and alerting them, their doctors and their CIGNA health coach when we find data that suggests a gap in care – like a missed prescription refill, a late preventive screening test, or a questionable treatment. It’s preventive, it’s proactive, and it’s helping us improve health and lower costs.
   
  
• We’re making it easier than ever for people to find high quality, cost-effective health care providers through our new Care Connections suite of transparency tools on mycigna.com. From a single web page, consumers can now research a specific condition, locate and compare doctors, specialists, hospitals – even lab and imaging facilities – in terms of quality and efficiency and find estimated treatment costs. Additional features include tips to help prepare for a doctor visit, and information to compare drug costs at area pharmacies and CIGNA Tel-Drug. By helping people make informed, value-based decisions, we’re empowering them to take control of their health and their health spending.

Each of these services is available at no additional fee to CIGNA medical clients and their employees. To learn more about these services, contact your CIGNA representative.

<< May 2008 Big Picture newsletter