Cigna's Approach to Health Equity Challenges

These real-life challenges result in health disparities-challenges we can prevent to achieve optimal heath.

Who's at Risk for Health Disparities?

Disparities exist for many reasons. Some populations may encounter barriers in the health care delivery system and variations in the quality of health care they receive. Other segments of the population may suffer from a higher prevalence of certain conditions or may be diagnosed at a later or more severe stage of the disease.

Additionally, social determinants such as economic and social conditions in a community may also play a significant role.

A multitude of factors can influence a person's health status and outcomes, including gender, race, ethnicity, education, income, language, culture, geography, sexual orientation, age, and disability.

A Commitment to Equitable Health Care

Cigna helps reduce health disparities by providing resources and information to help you and your staff communicate effectively with patients and understand their cultural and social context.

The challenges health care providers face in providing quality health care to all of their patients will continue to grow as the U.S. population diversifies. Disparities stem from many factors beyond the physician-patient encounter.

Having the knowledge and ability to identify potential cultural disparities and barriers to effective care are critical for improving health outcomes. By being culturally competent in health care, health care providers can understand their patients' diverse values, beliefs, and behaviors, and customize treatment to meet patients' social, cultural, and linguistic needs.

Breaking Down Barriers

To support you and the delivery of quality health care to our customers, it is our goal to break down cultural barriers. Cigna offers resources that can help you to create an optimal experience for your patients who face these challenges.

Here is how we broke down barriers to help Maria, Wayne, and Jasmin:

Maria:

We mailed Maria a low-literacy bilingual pictorial postcard urging her to call her Cigna Case Manager. The Case Manager (a trained nurse) was able to work with Maria and her physician's office to arrange for a translator at office visits and to help her schedule her kidney dialysis treatments.

By speaking with someone in her preferred language who was familiar with her customs and beliefs, Maria was able to schedule and attend her treatments.

Wayne:

We mailed Wayne a personalized, health prevention reminder letter to make sure he understood the importance of the colorectal screening available to him. The letter urged Wayne to schedule an appointment with his physician.

Wayne made the appointment and was able to talk with his physician about the importance of this health screening. He agreed to schedule the colonoscopy.

Jasmin:

Our Customer Service Representative helped Jasmin find a traveling mammography facility. Together, they located a facility closer to home, where Jasmin could schedule and attend her appointment.

These are examples used for illustrative purposes only. Not actual customer experiences.