"The Big Picture" Newsletter
November 2007
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Latest News
U.S. News & World Report Publishes “Best Health Plans” Rankings
Four CIGNA HealthCare plans listed among top 50 commercial plans
In the 2007 U.S. News & World Report/National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Best Health Plans rankings, CIGNA HealthCare’s aggregate results improved from last year with 16 plans achieving a higher numerical ranking. The rankings are based on the voluntary submission of health care quality results as measured through HEDIS®* (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set), customer service scores based on member surveys through CAHPS®** (Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and Systems), and scores on NCQA accreditation surveys.
Four CIGNA plans ranked among the top 50 commercial plans and 10 plans placed among the top 100 in the nation. All 23 of its NCQA-accredited plans are ranked among the top 200. This is the greatest number of plans that CIGNA has had in the top 50, top 100 and top 200 since “America’s Best Health Plans” debuted in 2005. Additionally, several CIGNA HealthCare plans were the top-ranked plan in their market.
The rankings reflect CIGNA's strong performance on clinical quality measures, strong NCQA accreditation record, employees’ commitment to meeting the needs of members, and demonstrate that CIGNA's commitment to quality care and service is yielding positive results.
* HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
** CAHPS® is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
CIGNA Announces Third Quarter 2007 Results
Performance reflects continued growth in HealthCare earnings
In its third quarter earnings report, CIGNA Corporation announced net income of $365 million and a 5.1% increase in medical membership through the first nine months of 2007. According to CIGNA Chairman and CEO H. Edward Hanway, “Our consolidated earnings for the quarter were strong and the marketplace continues to recognize CIGNA as a health advocate well-equipped to help improve the health, well-being and security of the people we serve.”
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CIGNA and the New York Attorney General Reach an Agreement Concerning Doctor Ranking Program
Enhancements to current CIGNA program serve as model for industry
CIGNA and New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo have reached an agreement concerning a national model for doctor ranking programs. “In addition to working with the Attorney General to establish a national model for the entire health insurance industry, CIGNA will contribute up to $100,000 to an independent organization to develop better means of communicating to consumers all aspects of the ranking program in a clear and straightforward manner,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kang, Chief Medical Officer of CIGNA.
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CIGNA Provides Grant to Increase Dental Care Access for the Disabled
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, people with disabilities and complex health conditions are at a greater risk of oral diseases which can further complicate their health1. Through a $20,000 grant provided by the CIGNA Foundation, the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (NFDH) will enhance recruiting for its Donated Dental Services program whose goal is to return patients to good oral health.
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1 Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America, 2000
Product Spotlight
Will Preparation Services Included at No Additional Cost with CIGNA's Life Coverage
Online program lets covered employees create life and health legal documents
Most people are reluctant to plan for their death. In fact, almost 55 percent of Americans do not have a will1. However, there are many good reasons for planning ahead such as providing guardianship for minor children, securing assets, and having a say in health care treatment if critically injured or unable to communicate.
Will preparation services are now included with CIGNA’s life insurance coverage for covered employees and their spouses at no additional charge. Through an affiliation with ARAG®, a leading provider of legal document services and comprehensive voluntary legal plans, CIGNA's online program lets covered employees create life and health legal documents, such as last will and testament, living will, health care power of attorney and financial power of attorney–at no additional cost. Employees and their spouses also have access to information on estate planning, identity theft, and CIGNA’s life and disability planning kits.
Click here for more information.
1 lawyers.comSM Survey, 2007
CIGNA Offers Return-to-Work Expertise with Enhanced Offerings
Demonstrating its industry-leading return-to-work expertise, CIGNA offers enhanced return-to-work services for employers and employees. With CIGNA’s Return-to-Work Program Consulting, employers who manage their own program can now receive guidance from our return-to-work experts, as well as best practice tools and templates to help them customize a program suited to their own needs.
CIGNA also offers Re-Employment Solutions to help long-term disabled individuals break down the barriers to returning to work in a modified or new job. Re-Employment Solutions combines the resources of CIGNA’s Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Intracorp Field Case Management with the expertise of Right Management Consultants, our exclusive partner and the nation’s leader in outplacement services. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors can guide motivated individuals to do different work for the same employer, work for a different employer, and navigate the transition to a new career or pursue self-employment, if appropriate and desired.
Your CIGNA representative can give you additional information on how the Return-to-Work Program Consulting and Re-Employment Solutions programs can help your clients with the goal of returning employees to work.
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
C. Mark Bailey to Lead National Consultant Development Initiatives
CIGNA HealthCare has appointed C. Mark Bailey to lead its national consultant development initiatives. In this role, Bailey will be responsible for CIGNA HealthCare's relationship with Towers Perrin, Hewitt Associates, Watson Wyatt, and Buck Consultants in support of CIGNA HealthCare's National Segment. Additionally, Bailey will support the central region's middle market producer business development initiatives in support of CIGNA HealthCare and CIGNA Group Insurance, and will have responsibility for CIGNA's relationship with Lockton.
Click here for more information.
“CIGNA” and “CIGNA HealthCare” are registered
service marks of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use
by CIGNA Corporation and its operating subsidiaries. Products and services
are provided by such 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.
816705 © Copyright 2007 CIGNA |
