BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Jan. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- By supporting the
whole person, mind and body, with a connected set of medical,
pharmacy, and behavioral benefits, employers can deliver better
health and financial outcomes for those who receive coverage,
according to Cigna's fourth annual Value of Integration
study released today. These findings are based on a two-year
analysis of more than 2.3 million claims from Cigna customers
who receive coverage through their employer.
Delivering greater affordability in medical costs
The study found that employers offering triple-integrated
benefits – medical, pharmacy and comprehensive behavioral –
continue to see meaningful savings in total medical costs as
compared to those with medical and basic behavioral coverage. On
average, those with fully integrated benefits in the 2019
study:
- Saved $207 annually per customer
and $867 annually per individual with
an identified health improvement opportunity (about 16 percent of
the population).
- Saw annual medical cost savings of $7,372 for individuals with conditions requiring
a specialty medication, such as multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid
arthritis.
- Showed savings of more than $11,679 for customers with an oncology diagnosis
and 24 percent lower oncology in-patient costs.
"More than ever, employers are prioritizing whole person health
and offering fully connected benefits, which are key to attracting
and retaining talent," said Matt
Totterdale, Senior Vice President Cigna Pharmacy. "Cigna
offers tools such as our Cigna One Guide® solution,
which gives us access to real-time data, predictive analytics and a
complete picture of an individual's health. With this tool, we can
put actionable information in the hands of health coaches, doctors,
pharmacists, behavioral clinicians and other health care
professionals to create personalized, coordinated interventions
that enable better quality care, at the right time, in the setting
that's best for the customer."
Increasing engagement and improving outcomes
With connected medical, pharmacy, and behavioral health benefits
customers are more engaged in their health and well-being, are more
likely to stay in-network for their care and are more informed
about their care options, which can not only drive down costs but
also often translate to improved outcomes. On average, the 2019
study showed:
- A 17 percent higher customer engagement in Cigna programs, such
as counseling for conditions like diabetes and heart disease;
lifestyle or wellness coaching to help with weight management and
smoking cessation; and personal case management for more complex
conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or cancer.
- Thirty-two percent lower mental health readmission rates, and
18 percent fewer out-of-network behavioral claims.
- Five percent higher utilization of in-network high-performing
providers and four percent lower out-of-network claims.
- Improved outcomes for individuals in need of treatment for
opioid misuse– with a 15 percent higher rate of receiving misuse
treatment and 30 percent reduction in subsequent overdoses when
experienced one year prior.
"We mobilize across the continuum of care – eliminating gaps in
care, getting ahead of disease, and driving interventions with
customers and providers that guide their next best actions," said
Totterdale. "This ultimately makes it easier for customers to
understand their health care choices and helps protect against
surprise costs. Our integrated approach maximizes every opportunity
to deliver a health care experience that is affordable, predictable
and simple."
About the Study
The Value of Integration report is conducted annually to
assess and evaluate opportunities to optimize health plan benefit
designs. Cigna's 2019 Value of Integration study examined
approximately 2.3 million customer claims from January 2018 to December
2018 from medical claims for group benefit plans.
Approximately half of the population had comprehensive medical,
behavioral and pharmacy benefits administered by Cigna while the
other half had only medical benefits with minimal behavioral
benefits administered by Cigna. Customers were matched between the
two groups on key attributes, including demographics, health
condition, access to health improvement services, plan design and
geographies.
Cigna leveraged the same methodology reviewed and validated by
KPMG LLP in 2018. Cigna used a published academic method and
appropriate statistical tests to conduct this year's study. The
data used for the Cigna study was Cigna's own internal data. KPMG
did not conduct an independent analysis to verify any results. KPMG
did not audit the data or the programming code used to conduct the
study. Individual results may vary.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company
dedicated to improving the health, well-being and peace of mind of
those we serve. Cigna delivers choice, predictability,
affordability and access to quality care through integrated
capabilities and connected, personalized solutions that advance
whole person health. All products and services are provided
exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna
Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company,
Cigna Life Insurance Company of New
York, Life Insurance Company of North America, Express Scripts companies or
their affiliates. 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 over 30 countries and
jurisdictions, and has more than 165 million customer relationships
throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links
to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
Media
Contact:
|
Meaghan
MacDonald
|
|
860.226.0576
|
|
Meaghan.MacDonald@Cigna.com
|
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SOURCE Cigna