CIGNA Enhances Suite of Online Tools for Members; Personalized Claim Information Now Available to Disability Claimants

When an unexpected illness or injury strikes, the ability to conveniently access information can be invaluable. That’s why CIGNA is now providing personalized claim information online for covered employees who are out of work due to a disability. The new online tool is the latest addition to the company’s suite of consumer-friendly, Web-based information and transaction capabilities. "When employees are out of work on a disability they have a lot on their minds, namely how they will provide for themselves and their families with a limited income while they are not actively working,” said Mark Marsters, senior vice president of claim management solutions for CIGNA Group Insurance. "By enhancing our online capabilities, our goal is to alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty that can be associated with a disability.” In addition to having the ability to determine how much disability insurance they need, and the ability to file a claim online, CIGNA members now have online access to their disability claim status and payment information. Through myCIGNA.com, a Web-based portal for CIGNA members, disability claimants can check the status of their claim and access their disability claim history for the last two years including details about payments, such as check amounts and issue dates. Access to this information allows employees to better manage their disability income. What’s more, if an employee is also a member of a CIGNA HealthCare or CIGNA Dental plan, he or she is able to view and access additional personalized information at myCIGNA.com, such as medical and dental benefits, claim information and account balances, online consumer decision support tools, provider directory, pharmacy benefits, and preventive health and wellness services. "Our goal is to consistently provide employees easy access to accurate and timely information,” said Marsters. "With this comprehensive view of customized information at their fingertips, employees are better able to manage their personal and health-related finances.” Marsters also says that preparing for the unexpected is an important component of any financial plan. "Most people do not realize that unforeseen illnesses and injuries cause 350,000 personal bankruptcies each year.1” Additional useful online resources available from CIGNA that help consumers make informed decisions about disability insurance include: CIGNA’s disability needs income calculator, available at http://www.cigna.com/our_plans/disability/calculator/ income_needs.html (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.), which allows individuals to assess how much disability insurance they would need to cover their income in the event they are no longer able to work due to injury or illness. An online consumer education kit, available at http://www.cigna.com/diam, which includes multi-media information about the importance of disability coverage. For more information about CIGNA Group Insurance's disability programs and services, visit http://www.cigna.com/our_plans/disability/index.html. About CIGNA Group Insurance "CIGNA," the "Tree of Life" logo and "CIGNA Group Insurance" are registered service marks of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA Corporation and its operating subsidiaries. Products and services are provided by such operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation. Such operating subsidiaries include Life Insurance Company of North America and CIGNA Life Insurance Company of New York. CIGNA Group Insurance is one of the top five providers in disability management and insurance with solutions that focus on helping employees return to a productive work life as quickly and safely as possible. 1 "Illness and Injury as Contributors to Bankruptcy," Health Affairs, February 2, 2005