Cigna, BJC HealthCare and Washington University Physicians Collaborate to Launch Cigna Individual and Family Plans in St. Louis

  • Cigna Individual plans to be newly offered both on- and off- the public marketplace for January 1, 2015 coverage
  • Affordable, quality care for patients provided by BJC HealthCare and Washington University Physicians
  • Network includes Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Washington University Physicians, Christian Hospital, Missouri Baptist Medical Center and the other hospitals and service organizations of BJC HealthCare

ST. LOUIS--()--Working together with BJC HealthCare and Washington University Physicians, Cigna (NYSE:CI) is introducing individual and family medical plans in St. Louis, both on- and off- the federal public marketplace for plans that take effect starting January 1, 2015.

The announcement represents an expansion of Cigna's product and clinical collaboration capabilities in Missouri. A leading provider of employer-sponsored group health plans in the state and across the U.S., Cigna is broadening local access to its portfolio of quality-oriented, competitively-priced individual plans.

Customers who enroll in the individual plans will have access to care provided primarily by the region’s leading health care organizations -- BJC HealthCare and Washington University Physicians. The network will include Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital and the more than 1,300 Washington University primary care doctors and specialists affiliated with these hospitals. The network will also include the additional 10 hospitals and four service organizations, including Christian Hospital, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Progress West Hospital and BJC Medical Group that are part of BJC HealthCare.

“Cigna's individual and family plan offerings are designed to deliver on the promise of health care reform: affordable access to quality health care from leading doctors and hospitals in St. Louis, easy to understand plans and the information, resources and service to help people take full advantage of their medical coverage,” said Frank Monahan, Cigna president for Missouri. “We are pleased to be working with BJC HealthCare and Washington University Physicians to offer these new plans, and to focus together on improving health care outcomes, enhancing the integration and coordination of care, and improving the patient experience.”

“BJC has worked closely with our partners at Washington University School of Medicine and Cigna to create a new health plan option that will offer innovative approaches to health care for people who live in the communities served by BJC HealthCare,” said Melanie Lapidus, BJC HealthCare Vice President for Managed Care. “We believe our collaboration will result in improved access for our patients and lead to better health, at an affordable price.”

“Bringing Washington University Physicians together with Cigna and BJC HealthCare means patients will have access to the latest advances in medical treatment,” said Jay Albertina, Washington University Executive Director of Managed Care.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s leading hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, and for 22 consecutive years has been named to the magazine’s Honor Roll of “America’s Best Hospitals.” Providing comprehensive, high-quality care and serving as an advocate for children has been St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s commitment since its inception in 1879. Today, the hospital serves patients and families across a 300-mile service area, and has seen patients from all 50 states and more than 80 countries.

Monahan said Cigna's individual plans will focus on helping new customers to either develop or better establish relationships with a family doctor and to better understand and use their plans, especially for those who may not have used a health insurance plan in the past.

Cigna's offerings will feature a range of plan designs and price points and will be available during the 2014 fall enrollment period which starts November 15, 2014 for plans that take effect on or after January 1, 2015.

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 approximately 85 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 BJC HealthCare

BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, and is focused on delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions. With 2013 net revenues of $4 billion, BJC serves the health care needs of urban, suburban and rural communities and includes 12 hospitals and multiple community health locations. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice.

About Washington University Physicians

Washington University Physicians are the primary care and specialist physicians who are members of the full-time faculty at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. They are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals. The School of Medicine is one of the leading medical research, teaching and patient-care institutions in the nation, and currently ranked sixth in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare.

Contacts

Cigna
Amy Turkington, 860-902-6625
Amy.turkington@cigna.com
or
BJC HealthCare
June McAllister Fowler, 314-286-2114
jfowler@bjc.org
or
Washington University School of Medicine
Diane Duke-Williams, 314-286-0111
williamsdia@wustl.edu

Release Summary

Cigna, BJC HealthCare and Washington University Physicians Collaborate to Launch Cigna Individual and Family Plans in St. Louis.

Contacts

Cigna
Amy Turkington, 860-902-6625
Amy.turkington@cigna.com
or
BJC HealthCare
June McAllister Fowler, 314-286-2114
jfowler@bjc.org
or
Washington University School of Medicine
Diane Duke-Williams, 314-286-0111
williamsdia@wustl.edu