Introduces New Claim Management Service for Employers in Need of Disability
Management Expertise
PHILADELPHIA, May 8, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- In about the time it takes to
read this sentence, at least one person has suffered a disabling injury.
According to the National Safety Council, a disabling injury occurs every
four seconds.
While such an injury might hinder a person's mobility or ability to
participate in regular activities, importantly, it can dramatically affect
a person's financial well-being if he or she is unable to continue working.
Nearly three in 10 workers entering the workforce today will become
disabled before retiring. And, disability causes nearly one half of all
mortgage foreclosures. Although many people have life insurance to protect
them, disabilities are much more likely than death to cause mortgage
foreclosure.(1)
"At the most basic level, disability insurance provides valuable income
protection in case a person is no longer able to work," said Karen Rohan,
president of CIGNA Group Insurance, Dental and Vision. "But it is important
to understand the various aspects of disability benefits, like how much
coverage is necessary, how it can be integrated with health benefits and
the importance of return-to-work programs."
In support of Disability Insurance Awareness Month, CIGNA is providing
greater access to information related to disability benefits, for both
consumers and employers. Disability Insurance Awareness Month is an
industry- wide campaign designed to get American workers to think about the
need to protect their greatest asset - their ability to earn an income. The
campaign is being coordinated by the nonprofit Life and Health Insurance
Foundation for Education (LIFE).
As part of its ongoing efforts to provide consumers with the
information and tools they need to make smart benefits decisions, CIGNA has
created an online Consumer Education Kit, available at http://www.cigna.com/diam
that includes multi-media information about the importance of disability
coverage, as well as a disability worksheet, a downloadable form that
allows people to estimate how much coverage they would need in order to
replace their income during a period of disability.
This kit adds to the comprehensive disability services already
available from CIGNA. These include:
Complex Claim Management: a new program targeted to employers that
self- insure short-term disability, this program offers disability
management expertise on a fee-for-service basis to help shorten disability
durations with return-to-work management for the most complicated claims.
It allows employers to focus on their routine claims, while CIGNA's
comprehensive resources are applied to those claims where they are most
needed.
Manager's Disability Toolkit(SM): a step-by-step, one-of-a-kind guide
offering practical "just in time" guidance to front-line supervisors and HR
professionals on what to do during each phase of a disability absence, what
to expect from CIGNA, and how to maximize return-to-work programs.
Physician's Disability Toolkit(SM): a unique, web-based information
site for health care providers and their office staff. The toolkit helps
medical staff understand the key elements of the disability management
process that can aid in the treatment and return to work plan of their
patients.
"There are a variety of factors that affect an employee's disability
management and return to work, including the vocational rehabilitation
resources available and the potential for integrating benefits," added
Rohan. "Because of our broad product portfolio and expertise, we are able
to integrate disability and health care benefits, which we believe has the
potential to lower employers' total benefits costs and help employees stay
well and help disabled employees get back to work sooner."
For more information about CIGNA's disability programs and services,
visit http://www.cigna.com/our_plans/disability/index.html
About CIGNA Group Insurance
CIGNA Group Insurance is a registered service mark of Life Insurance
Company of North America, CIGNA Life Insurance Company of New York and
other CIGNA companies. These CIGNA companies provide group, disability,
life and accident coverage in the U.S. and are one of the top five
providers of disability management and insurance with solutions that focus
on helping employees return to a productive work life as quickly and safely
as possible. CIGNA companies are also one of the top five providers of
group term life and group universal life, and the second leading provider
of group accident insurance, including voluntary accident and business
travel accident insurance.
(1) Council for Disability Awareness
SOURCE CIGNA Group Insurance
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Related links:
http://www.cigna.com
http://www.cigna.com/diam
http://www.cigna.com/our_plans/disability/index.html
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/165050.html /
CONTACT:
Amy Turkington of CIGNA, +1-860-226-3489, or
amy.turkington@cigna.com
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