Cigna Global Health Benefits network expands to provide health services & benefits to Canadian expatriates & their families

Cigna Global Health Benefits^® (NYSE: CI) now offers medical, dental, vision and pharmacy benefits to Canadian expatriates and their eligible family members through its CignaLinks^® network expansion into Canada. Cigna Global Health Benefits worked with Cowan Insurance Group, a leading provider of third party administrator services in Canada, to bring this opportunity to market. This relationship is unique in that the provincial and expatriate health plans are managed together for eligible customers; making it easier for customers to use their benefits wherever they may be in the world.

According to a recent study (National Health Expenditure Trends, 1975 to 2014) conducted by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, in 2012 the private sector spent $60.3 billion on health care. Annual growth rates were forecast at 2.6% for 2014, which is higher than public-sector annual growth rates (forecast at 2.0%). Through this relationship, customers now have access to a direct reimbursement experience utilizing a strong national network of health care professionals that are part of the CignaLinks Canada network.

“Research and feedback tells us that customers want affordable health care services and products that are easy for them to use when they need it,” said Robyn Cameron, Senior Vice President, North America Market, Cigna Global Health Benefits. “By working with Cowan, we’re able to introduce a unique offering to customers that combines affordability with convenience without sacrificing quality of care or quantity of access to doctors.”

“Navigating the healthcare landscape of a foreign country can be very challenging for an expatriate employee and their dependents. Multi-national employers want their expatriate employees to have a comprehensive healthcare program so that when they travel, their medical needs will be covered,” said Jason McCormick, Vice President International Benefits, Cowan Insurance Group. “With this relationship, Cigna’s insured members who are working in Canada and their dependents, gain access to a significant network of providers from coast to coast that offer direct reimbursement, and tap into cost mitigation opportunities through our innovative tools, relationships and partners.”

In addition, customers receive:

• Direct claims settlement for retail pharmacies, vision, medical and dental benefits across Canada;
• Services accessed at discount rates in many cases due to local pricing and negotiated discounts with many of the health care professionals in the CignaLinks network;
• No deductibles;
• Provincial Health Plan Service eligibility and enrollment support, which simplifies the administration of medical health services across all provinces; and
• Easy-to-use search capabilities when looking for health care professionals in the Cigna Envoy^® online directory.

For more information, visit http://www.cignaglobalhealth.com/products/canada.html.

About Cigna

Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America, Cigna Life Insurance Company of Canada, or their affiliates. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has approximately 86 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna^®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.

About Cowan Insurance Group

A pre-eminent Canadian owned and operated insurance brokerage, third party administrator and consulting operation since 1927, Cowan specializes in property, casualty and credit insurance, providing the best value to businesses, organizations and individuals for their insurance and risk management needs. In addition, Cowan is a leading provider of international benefits, offering benefits plan design, third party administration and consulting services for embassies, students and foreign workers. Cowan’s dedicated team of professionals has extensive knowledge of the international market, and can offer proactive advice and creative benefits solutions to employee groups. The organization also advises and creates retirement, group benefits, and disability management for employee groups, and offers wealth management, financial planning and succession planning services to individuals through its wholly owned financial services subsidiary. Cowan Insurance Group has over 430 employees and currently operates in ten locations across Ontario. Cowan subsidiary companies include The Williamson Group, Wentworth Financial Services, Cowan Financial Solutions and Millennium CreditRisk Management. For additional information about Cowan Insurance Group, please refer to www.cowangroup.ca.

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