CIGNA HealthCare to Offer Expert Online Second Medical Opinion Services Through e-Cleveland Clinic
2008-05-16 00:01:57 -
newsroom.cigna.com/ - A second opinion from a trusted source can be a good idea, especially when faced with a life-threatening or life-altering medical condition. Beginning this summer, CIGNA will offer the employees and dependents of a select group of its employer clients access to online second medical opinions from physician specialists, from the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic's MyConsult service. During a multi-year trial, members will be able to use MyConsult to ask about any of 700 serious conditions via a secure online connection.
"A second opinion can be very helpful to someone diagnosed with a serious condition. The opinion can reinforce the decisions made by the person and his or her physicians, or it can encourage the individual to investigate additional options," said Dr. David Ferriss, CIGNA HealthCare national medical director for clinical program development. "CIGNA is committed to helping members get as much reliable information as possible so they can make the most informed decisions about their health. We're proud to join with the Cleveland Clinic to offer this informative, online service."
Cleveland Clinic's MyConsult offers secure online consultations, and telephone and email nursing support to answer patients' questions and offer assistance in understanding the consultation. After a member initiates the review and answers a secure, online, condition-specific questionnaire, the member sends his or her medical records either electronically or by mail to Cleveland Clinic's MyConsult service.
A Cleveland Clinic specialist in the appropriate clinical field thoroughly reviews each inquiring member's medical history and tests before rendering an expert second opinion. The second medical opinion report is then made available online and is also mailed directly to the member within seven to 10 business days. Each confidential, unbiased second opinion is sent directly to the patient for complete privacy and autonomy. Members in the trial have full online access to their second opinions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A nurse coordinator then follows up with the person to ensure that the information is understood and to make sure all questions are answered. Upon request and with patient consent, a copy of the opinion is sent to the patient's primary care provider and specialists.
"Cleveland Clinic is happy to offer this service to eligible CIGNA members," said Jonathan Schaffer, M.D., Managing Director, eCleveland Clinic. "MyConsult is a natural extension of Cleveland Clinic's eCleveland Clinic product family, designed to help put patients first. This service is particularly beneficial for those looking to confirm a diagnosis or find alternative treatment, without having to leave the comfort of your home."
CIGNA has been offering MyConsult services to overseas expatriates since April 2005.
About CIGNA HealthCare
CIGNA HealthCare, a health service organization based in Bloomfield, Conn., works to improve the health, well-being and security of the people we serve. A leading provider of employee benefit services and programs, CIGNA HealthCare offers a broad array of medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy benefits plans and coverage. We also build and provide health and wellness coaching programs and consumer information tools designed to improve health and help people in their health care decision-making. "CIGNA HealthCare" and the "Tree of Life" logo are registered service marks of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI) and its operating subsidiaries, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. All products and services are provided exclusively by such operating subsidiaries, and not by CIGNA Corporation. For more information, visit www.cigna.com.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for-profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Approximately 1,800 full-time salaried physicians and researchers at Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida represent more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties. In 2006, there were 3.1 million outpatient visits to Cleveland Clinic. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 80 countries. There were more than 53,000 hospital admissions to Cleveland Clinic in 2006. Cleveland Clinic's Web site address is www.clevelandclinic.org.
CIGNA HealthCare
Judy Hartling, 860-226-6272
judy.hartling@cigna.com
