One of only 59 CIGNA kidney centers of excellence in the country
DENVER, Jan. 3, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- CIGNA HealthCare announced today
that the kidney transplant program at Porter Adventist Hospital has now
been designated as one of only 59 adult kidney transplant Centers of
Excellence in the CIGNA LIFESOURCE Transplant Network(R), one of the
largest programs of its kind in the nation.
To demonstrate the necessary experience to become part of the CIGNA
transplant network, Porter Adventist Hospital met strict requirements for
successful adult kidney transplants. Porter Adventist Hospital had to
demonstrate quality transplant medical services and that they provide
appropriate ancillary services to help transplant patients and their
families as they journey through the transplantation process. The CIGNA
evaluation included a review of processes and procedures, adult kidney
transplant success rates, and clinical and administrative staff
qualifications.
"Facing a transplant is a scary time in anyone's life. Therefore,
members going through transplantation require significant additional
services such as emotional counseling, training in pre- and post-transplant
care, and programs to assist and support the patients and their family
members before, during and after the transplant process," said Dr. Stephen
Crawford, medical director for the CIGNA LIFESOURCE Transplant Network.
To help members through this difficult time, CIGNA provides specially
trained CIGNA transplant nurse case managers who become a single point of
contact with CIGNA HealthCare for the member, their families and the
transplant facility. The case managers not only guide the members through
the process but help them maximize their health care benefits. "Part of our
review is to identify quality transplant programs that we can work
collaboratively with to support our members during this very difficult time
in their lives," added Crawford.
"We know that our members facing transplants want the assurance that
they can access a top-notch facility in their area," states Daryl Edmonds,
president and general manager of CIGNA HealthCare of Colorado. "We are
pleased that Porter Adventist has received designation as a Center of
Excellence by CIGNA HealthCare, giving our members peace of mind about the
quality of the facility for their kidney transplant."
In addition to enjoying the same benefit level as at their local
hospital, CIGNA HealthCare members who choose to have their transplant at a
Center of Excellence may also have access to a travel benefit for
themselves and a companion. "We have designed our transplant program in a
way that tries to remove as many barriers to quality health care as
possible," concluded Crawford.
About CIGNA LIFESOURCE Transplant Network
CIGNA LIFESOURCE Transplant Network(R) offers CIGNA HealthCare members
access to independent transplant centers that are nationally recognized for
quality care. There are currently approximately 100 facilities in network
with nearly 300 transplant programs. Each is carefully chosen and must
continue to meet our stringent quality standards. Through individualized
transplant case management, our members facing transplantation have
specially trained nurses as their guides to their insurance benefits. Nurse
case managers provide support, reassurance, and they help members make the
most of their benefit dollars.
SOURCE CIGNA HealthCare
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Related links:
http://www.cigna.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/165050.html /
CONTACT:
Lindsay Shearer, CIGNA HealthCare,
+1-603-268-7721, lindsay.shearer@cigna.com
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