"The Big Picture" Newsletter

September 2007 Issue

GEORGIA EDITION

Legislative Update

Governor Sonny Perdue (R) unveiled a proposal to allow small businesses to buy-in to a state-subsidized health plan for their employees. The plan, called the Health Insurance Partnership for Georgia, would be available to small businesses with 50 or fewer employees and sole proprietors. Similar to the CoverTennessee program, premiums would be split between the state, employer, and employee. Eligible employees would have to work at least 20 hours per week and earn less than 300 percent of the federal poverty limit. Employers would be required to offer their employees a benchmark benefit plan comparable to the state employee plan and would have the option of also offering a high deductible health plan with a health savings account and a basic benefit package that meets the requirements of the Small Business Employee Choice of Benefits Health Insurance Plan Act.

In addition, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle (R) unveiled a health care access proposal that would create the Georgia Health Marketplace (GWM), a web-based clearinghouse of portable health plans for individuals and small employers to purchase. GHM would offer a high deductible health plan combined with a health savings account and a physician direct plan that would allow hospitals and physicians to offer a variety of services at a fixed annual cost. GHM would also offer Governor Sonny Perdue's proposed Health Insurance Partnership plan, and PeachCare, the state's version of SCHIP.  The lieutenant governor’s proposal also would create five health clinics funded by grants and private donations that would provide low-cost treatment to low-income residents for minor ailments often treated at emergency departments, such as stomach aches and sore throats.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

Where We Are

CIGNA HealthCare
Two Securities Centre
3500 Piedmont Road, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA  30305
Telephone:  404.443.8800
Fax:  404.443.8932

Who to Contact

Tim Vessel
Vice President of Sales
404.443.8913
Tim.Vessel@cigna.com

Experienced Local Leadership

Andrew Crooks, Regional General Manger
Andrew Crooks has over 20 years of experience in the health care industry. His early career was spent in various underwriting and financial management roles throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Following a series of promotions, he was appointed Vice President and Executive Director of Prudential HealthCare’s North Florida and Central Florida operations. His responsibilities included development and growth of exclusive, affiliated medical groups, network development, management of claim and customer service operations, regulatory compliance, sales and marketing. He held this position for over 10 years earning the first Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) accreditation given by Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) in 1988, and recognition by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 20 HMO’s in the nation in 1996.

Subsequent to the Aetna U.S. Healthcare acquisition of Prudential HealthCare, Andrew was retained to lead all integration management activities for the Southeast operations. For the past five years, Andrew has served as President and General Manager of CIGNA's Florida and Caribbean operations providing services to over one million covered lives.

Scott Evelyn, President and General Manager – CIGNA HealthCare of Georgia and Alabama
Scott Evelyn brings more than 20 years of extensive leadership experience to his role at CIGNA. In 1997 he co-founded the Benefit Management Group (BMG) in South Florida and served as CEO until its acquisition by Arthur J. Gallagher in 2006. Upon the acquisition, he remained engaged and served as the organization's area executive vice president.

Prior to the start of BMG, Scott spent six years with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia in roles of increasing responsibility as local market manager, regional vice president and president and CEO of Healthcare Partners of Southeast Georgia. In the early phase of his career, he held sales and sales management positions with Lincoln National Life, United Healthcare and Employee Benefit Plans, Inc.

Scott holds Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University and is actively involved in his community, as well as numerous charities and non-profit organizations including Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, American Lung Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, amongst others.

Tim Vessel, Senior Vice President of Sales – Atlanta, Georgia
Tim Vessel joined CIGNA HealthCare in August 1993. He is responsible for seven direct reports. Tim has eleven years with CIGNA HealthCare, beginning in Underwriting and transitioning into sales in 1996 as a Senior Client Manager in the Atlanta Sales Office.

Tim has worked as regional sales manager consultant for the Southeast region and his last position was the Director of Sales Operation for the Atlanta office. Tim has extensive experience in underwriting, training and reporting analysis. Tim received his BA in Economics.