Joins Other CIGNA Medical Group Patients with Access to Online Health Care
Services
PHOENIX, April 10, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA HealthCare for
Seniors announced today that it will begin to offer free electronic visits
(e- Visits) and other online health care services through the
RelayHealth(R) network, McKesson's secure online connectivity service.
CIGNA HealthCare for Seniors is the first Medicare Advantage Prescription
Drug (MAPD) plan in Arizona to provide coverage for e-Visits through its
physician network, CIGNA Medical Group (CMG). CMG is currently offering
online health care services (including e-Visits at a nominal charge), to
its non-Medicare patients.
CMG originally launched these online health care services at each of
its 17 health care centers in mid-2006. Now all CMG patients may use
RelayHealth to schedule or cancel appointments, refill prescriptions,
request lab results, send a note to their doctor's office, request a
referral, and manage their personal health record online. There is no
charge to MAPD plan members for these services or for e-Visits. CMG
patients covered under other plans are charged a nominal service charge for
e-Visits.
E-visits allow patients who have a relationship with a CMG health care
provider to consult with their physician about non-urgent medical needs,
such as follow-up regarding a chronic condition, allergies or cough or cold
symptoms, typically for a nominal fee.
"CIGNA HealthCare is committed to innovation and making health care
delivery seamless and convenient for its members," states Bob Carroll, vice
president and chief operating officer for CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona. "The
e- Visits will improve access for members who may have less mobility and
access to transportation to see their physician, further strengthening the
quality of the health care we provide through our CMG Health Centers."
All CMG patients can log on to http://www.cmgaz.com to access the RelayHealth
online services. RelayHealth also provides a full library of health topics
for patients to browse on topics including allergies, arthritis and
preventive care.
"CIGNA Medical Group and CIGNA HealthCare are grounded in the most
important aspects of health care quality, safety and excellence in patient
care," said Giovanni Colella, M.D., president of RelayHealth's Consumer
Solutions. "They've grasped the incredible potential of online
communication, especially in regard to the doctor-patient relationship, and
we are pleased to help them realize its rewards."
RelayHealth connectivity solutions are designed to streamline clinical,
administrative and financial interactions between patients, physicians,
hospitals, pharmacies and payors, helping them collaborate to improve the
quality of care and reduce administrative costs.
With more than 35 years of history, CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona, Inc.
is one of the oldest and largest health plans in the state. CIGNA
HealthCare of Arizona provides health care coverage and employee benefit
services to nearly 400,000 individuals throughout the state. The CIGNA
Medical Group, a division of CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona, is the Valley's
largest multi-specialty group practice with approximately 145,000 patients
and 18 offices located throughout metropolitan Phoenix. "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.
RelayHealth is part of McKesson Corporation. McKesson, currently ranked
16th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information
technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality
healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the
quality and safety of patient care. Over the course of its 174-year
history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and
medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare
information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare, and payors;
hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and
payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information:
http://www.mckesson.com.
SOURCE CIGNA HealthCare
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Related links:
http://www.cigna.com
http://www.mckesson.com http://www.cmgaz.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/165050.html/
CONTACT:
Gwyn Dilday of CIGNA Healthcare,
+1-818-500-6370, gwyn.dilday@cigna.com or Briana Pompei of
RelayHealth, +1-510-428-7853, briana.pompei@relayhealth.com
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