BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--What does the healthy workplace of the future look like? Global health service company Cigna offers a glimpse into the future of health, wellbeing and patient centered design. Featuring workplace health centers and employee care telehealth and coaching solutions, virtual reality guided meditation pods, biophillic design principles, fitness centers and jogging paths, Cigna is driving forward a progressive culture of health and wellness for itself and employers nationally.
At the epicenter of Cigna's culture of health is its 21st century on site health and wellness center, which Cigna staffs with seasoned, high quality medical professionals and health coaches who provide a full range of services including:
- Preventive care visits, EKG’s, and biometric screenings that measure body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels,
- Acute, episodic and full Primary Care services
- In person health coaching for weight management and condition management programs
“By completely renovating, re-equipping and relocating our on-site health center to its premier location at the main entrance, we’re sending a message to our employees that health and wellness are front and center to Cigna's culture,” according to Cigna Director of Global Health and Wellness, Jill Vaslow. “At Cigna, we don’t just 'talk health,' - we’ve created a culture of health that we continue to improve. Next on the list - extending the reach of our onsite clinicians with virtual office visits.”
Digital Experience That Connects On Site Clinicians with Employees
Patient understanding and health literacy is of high importance to taking an active role in their health. When sharing medical information with employee-patients, the center’s clinicians use HDTVs for sharing health information, setting and monitoring health goals, and reviewing their visit summaries. Cigna also provides a patient health portal accessible via Web and Mobile device for secure messages from their onsite providers and to keep employees connected to their health.
The health centers will also expand to offer virtual health visits to employees at other worksite locations. Cigna will leverage advancements in telehealth technology to offer private telehealth visits from the onsite health center staff to other work locations, extending the reach of the clinic team and providing more employees access to quality connected care. This feature is a very cost effective and a convenient way to expand health visit capacity.
“Our employees say the relationships they develop with their onsite providers are invaluable,” said Michele Paige, Vice President and General Manager of Cigna Onsite Health, Consumer Health Engagement at Cigna. “By extending our onsite health services through telehealth, we can engage more employees, connecting them to the care and services they need to better manage their health.”
Workplace Mindfulness
Cigna's mission extends beyond physical health – providing tools and incorporating design elements to help improve employee wellbeing. The health center offers Mindfulness programs including a meditation room and access to the Cigna Virtual Relaxation Pod™; an innovative virtual reality experience using Oculus technology to transport users to one of three VR environments, accompanied by expert guided meditation. The company also provides employees with lunch hour guided meditation sessions via phone.
Near the company cafeteria and coffee shop, Cigna has installed a floor to ceiling 28-foot LED screen that projects imagery designed to evoke cognitive breaks, micro restorative experiences, and reduced stress levels.
Prototype for Future Health
As Ms. Paige notes, this health-forward emphasis pays off in greater employee engagement. For example, in 2015 nine out of 10 of Cigna's U.S. employees reported getting an annual checkup; with the new and improved clinic, Cigna is on track to improve that number for 2016.
According to Ms. Paige, offering employees access to worksite health and wellness centers continues to be an upward trend. Cigna alone has delivered 50 onsite clinics in 20 states and Washington, DC, with plans for continued growth. Providing access to convenient and high quality care for employees and their dependents is a critical component to a successful health and wellness benefit strategy, directly delivering on the incentive programs and empowering employees to get ahead of their health needs at a place they know and trust.
“Fifty years ago, our Connecticut headquarters was one of the first suburban office parks in the United States,” said Ms. Paige. “Today Cigna's global headquarters is an innovation lab for workforce health, wellness and productivity for our clients and their employees worldwide.”
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.
