Cigna Private Healthcare
One of the major parts of the CIGNA insurance group is CIGNA Private Healthcare. CIGNA entered the UK private healthcare market in 1983 after acquiring Crusader Insurance PLC and later Norwich Union Dental. Areas of expertise include medical insurance, dental plans, absence management, occupational health services and wellbeing programmes. Usually seen as a specialist in providing services to large corporations, CIGNA has recently concentrated on expanding their capabilities in the individual and smaller corporate client areas.
CIGNA operates in 27 countries and more than 127 locations worldwide. In the UK they are the number one dental plan provider.
Private Healthcare Products
CIGNA private healthcare products come under the following categories:
Medical – For larger companies, CIGNA has what it describes as a unique approach to providing healthcare. Nurse's act as liaison between employees and healthcare professionals to make sure that a managed care approach is taken, helping to keep costs reasonable while striving towards the best medical results for employees.
With companies in the size range of 150-400 employees, the SmarterHealth package is offered. This is designed to be flexible as well as comprehensive, providing a range of benefit options so that the employer can choose the right scheme for their employees.
For small corporate customers, CIGNA have the SmartHealth policy. This is also designed around the flexibility of benefit choice. For example, out-patient, psychiatric care and health management benefits can be removed to reduce premiums.
For individuals, CIGNA offer a choice of Premier, Parent and Child plans providing affordable and comprehensive private health cover.
Dental – this is an area of particular expertise for CIGNA private healthcare, who cover over 10 million people worldwide, having over 40 years' experience in this regard. There is a range of dental plans offering a variety of cost and benefit options. The plans come in two categories – a comprehensive range aimed at those who want the majority of costs recovered, and a co-insurance range which gives cover for accident and emergency treatment as well as a contribution towards routine dental treatment fees.
Absence Management – centred around case managers who provide telephone contact and support, the CIGNA absence case management service is designed to monitor, assess and make recommendations in staff absence related cases. This can work to ensure that absent staff are receiving appropriate treatment for their condition, assess the impact of symptoms on ability to work, provide a prognosis and make recommendation regarding staged return to work or workplace adjustments.
Occupational Health – CIGNA private healthcare provides a tailored service for organizations supporting and managing occupational health, absence from work and organizational risks. This can include policy advice, pre-employment assessments, health surveillance, ergonomics, disability assessment and foreign travel. The programme can also formulate and provide an employee health and wellness strategy.
Why CIGNA?
CIGNA private healthcare schemes provide reassurance and support in an area that affects us all – health. Although the NHS can provide a good basic level of medical and health care, private cover has a number of benefits. These can include quicker diagnosis and treatment, a greater choice of hospital and scanning centre location and the degree of comfort that private facilities can provide.