CIGNA Offers Assistance to Members in Indiana and Iowa Disaster Areas

2008-06-19 05:27:27 -

newsroom.cigna.com/ - CIGNA today announced it is making a number of exceptions to its normal processes to assist individuals covered under a CIGNA plan who have been affected by flooding in Indiana and Iowa.

Effective retroactive to June 9, the following provisions will be in place for all CIGNA members in counties designated as disaster areas in Indiana and Iowa:

-- Prescription refill time restrictions, usually 30 days, will be waived to allow members to have prescriptions refilled at an earlier date without prior approval.

-- Any precertification requirements, such as for inpatient hospital admissions or certain types of medications will be waived for all medical and pharmacy services.

-- In-network benefits will be paid for medical services, even if a member must see an out-of-network physician or other provider.

-- Any timely submission requirements, including appeal and claim submission requirements, will be extended for an additional 60 days.

-- Individuals covered under dental HMO plans can access emergency and urgent dental care without prior approval, and will not be required to get referrals for specialty care.

-- Those covered under a dental PPO plan will have any out-of-network fees waived.

In addition, the grace period for employer premium payments to CIGNA will be extended 60 additional days, for a total period of 91 days.

These actions will be in effect until June 30, or later if necessary. Members with questions or concerns are encouraged to call the customer service phone number on their CIGNA ID card or the CIGNA nationwide customer service telephone number at 1.800.CIGNA24 (1.800.244.6224).

The recent tornados and flooding have dramatically affected individuals and communities across the Midwest. Shock and grief are a normal part of reacting to all kinds of stressful events. CIGNA recognizes that individuals directly and indirectly affected by such community disasters sometimes need resources that can assist them in coping. CIGNA provides on its www.cignabehavioral.com website the Disaster Resource Center filled with information for individuals and employers.

About CIGNA

CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI) and its subsidiaries, with total assets of $44 billion and an employee base of approximately 26,500, constitutes one of the largest publicly-owned employee benefits organizations in the United States and throughout the world. Its subsidiaries are major providers of employee benefits offered through the workplace, with products and services including health care, group life, accident and disability insurance, dental, vision, behavioral health, and pharmacy.

CIGNA
Amy Turkington, 440-934-5385
amy.turkington@cigna.com