Program to Assist Employees of Businesses with Fewer Than 100 Employees
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Jan. 10, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA
HealthCare today announced that it has engaged the expertise of Social
Service Coordinators Disability Services to assist CIGNA HealthCare members
who become newly disabled in obtaining eligible Social Security Disability
Income (SSDI). The program is targeted to CIGNA HealthCare members working
for smaller employers, who often lack the resources to assist their
employees when they become disabled and are no longer able to work. The
program will also be available for employees' dependents who become newly
disabled.
"If you have ever had a debilitating medical condition, you know how
difficult it can be to just cope with the condition, not to mention the
anxiety of no longer having a regular income," said Michael Showalter,
Senior Vice President for HealthCare Strategy and Marketing. "This offering
expands our health care advocacy programs by helping members understand
that their payroll contributions to Social Security may make them eligible
for these additional benefits," added Showalter.
This service, which is offered at no cost to the member or his or her
employer, helps those who have become disabled because of a medical
condition, and who do not have long-term disability insurance, obtain the
disability income to which they may be entitled to through the SSDI
program. Once the member is accepted into the SSDI program, they are then
also eventually eligible for health care coverage through Medicare.
"The Social Security Administration has a very thorough application
process that members who are also struggling with a disabling medical
condition often find difficult to navigate," said Jonathan Mayhew,
president of Social Service Coordinators Disability Services. "We have an
85 percent success rate because we help identify people who are
legitimately entitled to the benefits and we know how to help them navigate
the application process so there are fewer errors to slow down the approval
of their application."
The program helps members obtain Medicare as well as cash benefits to
help cover their increased medical expenses and lost income. It also
protects their Social Security retirement benefits. For the employer, it
potentially reduces their medical and pharmacy risk. "And for CIGNA, it's a
valuable client and member service," concluded Showalter.
About CIGNA HealthCare
CIGNA HealthCare, headquartered in Bloomfield, CT, provides medical
benefits plans, dental coverage, behavioral health coverage, pharmacy
benefits and products and services that integrate and analyze information
to support consumerism and health advocacy. "CIGNA" or "CIGNA HealthCare"
refers to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation (NYSE: CI).
Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries, and not
by CIGNA Corporation.
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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