CIGNA HealthCare Introduces CareAllies
CareAllies Will Expand Clinical Management Programs, Health Coaching Capabilities
PRNewswire-FirstCall
BLOOMFIELD, Conn.
December 12, 2005

Benefit plan sponsors can offer a consistent set of industry-leading clinical management and health coaching programs across their entire workforce through CareAllies, a unit created by CIGNA HealthCare to meet the growing market demand for consumer-focused care management and health coaching services.

"Consumerism is leading plan sponsors to adopt strategies that encourage greater consumer engagement in health care, and they are looking to organizations like CareAllies to provide the expertise that will make these strategies successful," said David Cordani, president of CIGNA HealthCare. "CareAllies focuses on consumers and on their needs for personalized programs that help them achieve better health."

When an employer offers employees a choice of health care carriers, each with a different set of programs, administering these multiple programs and trying to assess results can become very complex. With CareAllies, plan sponsors will enjoy easy administration, a comprehensive strategy to help them improve the health and productivity of their entire workforce, and a consistent set of leading clinical management programs and personalized decision support services to serve the consumer, regardless of the medical plan or network.

"Expertise in clinical advisory programs and health coaching are core strengths for CIGNA HealthCare, and extending our capabilities under the CareAllies brand will help advance our position as a market leader in providing these programs to both employers and consumers," Cordani said. According to Cordani, CIGNA HealthCare is well positioned to provide these CareAllies programs in the marketplace, based on the company's expertise in medical management, its strong clinical focus and its extensive experience in health coaching programs including its award-winning disease management programs.

While introducing new services to the marketplace, the new CareAllies organization will continue to offer the leading health care products and services previously available through Intracorp, such as a 24-hour nurseline, case management services and disease management programs. Intracorp will continue to offer a complete suite of disability management and worker's compensation solutions under the Intracorp brand. The following programs and services are being offered through CareAllies and can be purchased as an integrated package, or as individual components tailored to meet a company's specific needs. More information is available online at http://www.careallies.com :

Personal Health Solutions(SM) -- a medical management program targeted to individuals who have significant medical needs. It includes case management for individuals who have been hospitalized, where nurse case managers become involved early on to help coordinate care, reduce hospital stays and prevent readmission. It also includes highly-specialized case management services for those who have complex or catastrophic medical conditions. Nurse case managers, trained in high-risk maternity, premature infants (neonatal intensive care unit), transplant and oncology work to coordinate care and promote high quality and cost-effective outcomes.

CareAllies Health Coach(SM) -- provides personalized telephonic outreach by Certified Health Education Specialists who work to reduce an individual's risks for future health care problems. Health coaches proactively reach out to individuals who have completed the online HealthQuotient(TM) health risk assessment from WebMD and provide information on disease prevention, condition management, and lifestyle changes and also make referrals to the employer's wellness programs and other resources.

Disease Management -- for individuals with chronic health care conditions. With nearly a decade of experience in providing disease management programs, CIGNA companies today provide the largest population-based disease management program in the country in collaboration with American Healthways, Inc. Over 700,000 people are enrolled in its award-winning programs for asthma, cardiac care (congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease), diabetes, low back pain and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other targeted conditions through the CIGNA WellAware for Better Health Program and the existing Intracorp SmartSteps program.

24-Hour Nurseline -- provides individuals with toll-free telephone access to a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Nurses can answer callers' questions about health care issues, give direction on when to seek medical attention and help individuals choose a health care provider.

Lifestyle Programs -- these programs provide individuals who are trying to quit smoking, better manage stress or begin a weight management program with personalized coaching by health care professionals, support services and programs, and toolkits for use at home.

In addition, the Healthy Rewards(R) program, which provides individuals with discounts on a wide array of health services and products not typically covered by their health care plan is also included with all CareAllies programs. Examples include discounts on acupuncture, chiropractic care, fitness center memberships, eyewear and massage therapy.

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 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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