BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Aug. 22, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA
HealthCare today announced the addition of three new health plans for
retirees and others eligible for Medicare. CIGNA Medicare Surround, group
coverage to be offered through employers, is designed to supplement
Medicare coverage. Employers can now enroll members for an immediate or
later effective date.
In addition, CIGNA received conditional approval from the federal
government's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to be a plan
sponsor of two other health programs, CIGNA Medicare Access, a medical only
plan; and CIGNA Medicare Access Plus Rx which includes prescription drug
benefits. These nationwide private fee-for-service plans will be offered as
group coverage through employers. CIGNA Medicare Access will also be sold
directly to individuals in certain counties around the country. Under these
plans, members will be able to go to any doctor or hospital that accepts
Medicare assignment and the CIGNA Medicare Access plan's terms and
conditions of payment, with no need for a referral or requirement to use a
provider within the CIGNA network. Enrollment in these plans will begin on
Nov. 15, 2007, with more information to become available Oct. 1, 2007.
"These plans, including a wide range of prevention and wellness
programs, broaden CIGNA's portfolio of health plans for retirees and people
eligible for Medicare," said Sam Srivastava, president, CIGNA Senior and
Retiree Services. "Employers will welcome having another choice for their
retirees that simplifies their health plan administration and reduces their
costs. Individuals purchasing coverage on their own will appreciate the
choice of programs tailored to their specific life story."
Srivastava stressed that the new Medicare plans, like CIGNA's other
products and services, will focus on health advocacy for members and
include an array of services to help members maintain good health and
well-being and manage chronic health conditions. Srivastava pointed to a
study from Thomson Healthcare and Cornell University, released on April 17,
which shows that health promotion programs for older people can improve
health, prevent disability, delay mortality, improve quality of life and
save money by reducing the need for medical services.
The new plans round out CIGNA's health benefit solutions for those
eligible for Medicare, which include CIGNATURE Rx, a Medicare Part D
prescription drug coverage for individuals and employers, CIGNA HealthCare
for Seniors, a Medicare Advantage HMO plan in Arizona, and a full
complement of health and wellness tools. A press kit with a complete list
of retiree and Medicare-related health programs is available in the CIGNA
newsroom at http://cigna.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=113&item=89 .
About CIGNA HealthCare
CIGNA HealthCare, based 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 HealthCare" is a registered service
mark of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA
Corporation (NYSE: CI) and its operating subsidiaries, including
Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. Products and services are
provided by such operating subsidiaries, and not by CIGNA Corporation. For
more information, visit http://www.cigna.com.
SOURCE CIGNA HealthCare
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Related links:
http://www.cigna.com
CONTACT:
Arlys Stadum, +1-763-559-5587,
arlys.stadum@cigna.com, of CIGNA HealthCare
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