Cigna Earns Recognition for Six Onsite Health Centers From the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

Cigna (NYSE: CI) has become one of the first companies – and the first national health service company – to become recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) new Patient-Centered Connected Care^TM Recognition Program. The recognition applies to six Cigna onsite health centers – two that serve employees of Cigna clients in Arlington, Va., and Council Bluffs, Iowa; and four that serve Cigna employees in Chattanooga, Tenn.; Philadelphia and Scranton, Penn.; and Plano, Texas.

The Arlington center serves employees of Arlington County Government, while the Council Bluffs center serves employees of Caesars Entertainment Corporation. All six centers offer a variety of services, such as acute and preventive care medical visits, chronic condition counseling and care coordination, health coaching, wellness seminars, biometric screenings, flu shots and programs to help individuals manage stress, achieve a healthy weight or quit smoking.

The recognition became effective in February for three years and reflects Cigna's longstanding commitment to health care quality and health improvement by offering clinical programs and services that are assessed by external accrediting organizations such as NCQA.

The NCQA Patient-Centered Connected Care Recognition Program evaluates a number of factors, such as how sites connect with primary care and other providers; the type of patient care and support provided; and electronic system capabilities and quality measurement. Sites that demonstrate they follow certain protocols in these areas are positioned to earn an NCQA seal, reflecting their commitment to quality and a patient-centered approach to care delivery.

“NCQA Patient-Centered Connected Care Recognition expands best practices in the delivery of high-quality care by connecting care across the medical home neighborhood,” said NCQA president, Margaret E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that Cigna has the tools, systems and resources to provide patients with the right care, while ensuring that care is communicated clearly and efficiently with the team of clinicians charged to manage their overall health.”

“For many years we have worked hard to put the individual at the center of all we do by implementing patient-centered clinical programs and services that help connect individuals to high-quality care, so this recognition from NCQA is very much valued and appreciated,” said Dick Salmon, M.D., Cigna's national medical executive for performance measurement and improvement.

NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. It is governed by a board of directors that includes employers, consumers, health plans, quality experts and representatives from organized medicine.

Cigna has worked with client organizations since 2007 to establish convenient, accessible onsite health centers as part of a company’s overall health and wellness strategy.

“Our onsite employee clinic has experienced significant increases in utilization and customer satisfaction since it first opened,” said Marcy Foster, director of human resources for Arlington County Government. “We know that our employees are getting convenient medical attention and wellness advice, as well as referrals and education that help keep them healthy and productive. Data shows that since the clinic opened our employees have used less sick leave and have had fewer unnecessary emergency room visits. The clinic has been such a success, that after one year we are considering an increase in clinic hours to meet the growing demand.”

Cigna now manages 49 onsite health centers in 20 states and Washington, D.C. The company plans to seek recognition for additional onsite health centers through the NCQA Patient-Centered Connected Care Recognition Program.

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 Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. 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 more than 90 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 NCQA

NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Web site (www.ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.

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