WALTHAM, Mass. and BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Dec. 20, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tufts Health Plan and CIGNA HealthCare announced today that they have formed a strategic alliance to market a national, open-access health plan in order to provide differentiated value to mid-sized and large employers with employees located in multiple states. The companies expect to begin to market the alliance in February 2005, for an anticipated effective date in the fourth quarter of the year. The alliance is designed to provide a comprehensive national provider network, superior medical and disease management programs and administrative ease for both self-insured and fully insured employers of 200 or more employees.
"This exciting new alliance gives multi-site employers the advantage of working seamlessly with two industry leaders," said David Cordani, president, health segments for CIGNA HealthCare. "CIGNA HealthCare's national reach and Tufts Health Plan's regional strength, coupled with both organizations' medical management expertise and commitment to quality, give customers attractive new options for their health care coverage and give us new opportunities for business growth."
According to Nancy Leaming, president and chief executive officer of Tufts Health Plan, "CIGNA HealthCare is a strong cultural fit with Tufts Health Plan. Both of our organizations have a track record of building superior customer solutions, and share a commitment to high-quality, affordable health care and outstanding customer service. We are pleased to form this strategic alliance with an organization that shares our philosophy and standards of excellence. We look forward to providing a comprehensive solution to employers' evolving health care needs."
As a Business of Caring, CIGNA provides employers with benefits programs, expertise and services that improve the health, well-being and productivity of their employees. CIGNA HealthCare, headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, 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 management. An industry leader in health care quality improvement, ninety-two (92) percent of CIGNA HealthCare's accredited HMO/POS health plans have achieved an "Excellent" accreditation rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), with the balance of accredited plans rated "Commendable." "CIGNA HealthCare" refers to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation . Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation. (http://www.cigna.com/)
Tufts Health Plan is a nationally recognized leader in providing comprehensive, quality health care coverage. Recently, Tufts Health Plan HMO has been recognized as a Distinguished Health Plan by J.D. Power and Associates, for providing "An Outstanding Member Experience." Tufts Health Plan is also the first health plan in Boston to earn a J.D. Power and Associates award for outstanding member satisfaction or service excellence for nine consecutive years. Tufts Associated Health Maintenance Organization, Inc., Total Health Plan, Inc. and Secure Horizons, Tufts Health Plan for Seniors, have been given Excellent NCQA status. The plan was named one of the top 10 accredited health plans in the nation in the HEDIS(R) Effectiveness of Care Measure in the 2004 State of Health Care Quality Report. (http://www.tuftshealthplan.com/)
J.D. Power and Associates recognition as a Distinguished Health Plan is based on the benchmarks established by the 2003 National Managed Care Satisfaction Study(SM). Previous awards based on national studies conducted by CareData, Inc. (acquired by J.D. Power and Associates in 2000) and J.D. Power and Associates (2002). For more information about the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Health Plan Program, visit http://www.jdpower.com/healthcare.
CIGNA HealthCareContact: Catherine Grant, Tufts HP, +1-781-466-9022, or Amy Turkington,CIGNA HealthCare, +1-860-226-3489
Web site: http://www.jdpower.com/healthcare
Web site: http://www.tuftshealthplan.com/
Web site: http://www.cigna.com/
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