Broward Health ACO Services and Memorial Health Network Start Cigna Collaborative Care Programs to Improve Health and Lower Costs in South Florida

Cigna (NYSE: CI) has launched collaborative care initiatives with two local medical groups, Broward Health ACO Services, a subsidiary of Broward Health system, and Memorial Health Network, the provider group affiliated with Memorial Healthcare System, to improve patient access to health care, enhance care coordination, and achieve the goal of improved health, affordability and patient experience. With the launch of these two new programs, which became effective January 1, Cigna now has seven collaborative care initiatives in Florida and three in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Cigna Collaborative Care is the company’s approach to accomplishing the same population health goals as accountable care organizations, or ACOs. These programs will benefit nearly 40,000 individuals covered by a Cigna health plan who receive care from nearly 1,800 primary care doctors and specialists at Broward Health ACO Services and Memorial Health Network.

In places where it’s been introduced, Cigna Collaborative Care is helping to improve the health of Cigna customers while effectively managing medical costs. The programs are helping to close gaps in care, such as missed health screenings or prescription refills, reinforcing the appropriate use of hospital emergency rooms, increasing the number of preventive health visits and improving follow-up care for people transitioning from the hospital to home.

“We’re focused every day on improving the health of our patients and delivering a better patient experience, which is why this collaboration with Cigna is a great fit for us,” said Nabil El Sanadi, M.D., Broward Health President/CEO. “Care coordinators will play a pivotal role because better coordinated care is fundamental to improving health care quality and quality of care reduces costs.”

“We’re optimistic that this collaboration will enhance our ability to deliver quality, patient-centered care,” said Dr. Richard Perryman, Chairman of the Board, Memorial Health Network. “This is an excellent opportunity to show the value of care coordination, which is especially important for helping patients manage chronic conditions so they can live healthier and more productive lives.”

“Through these types of collaboration we have the opportunity to help transform the health care delivery system,” said Michael Howell, M.D., Cigna’s senior medical director for Florida. “When we reward doctors for results and focus on prevention, wellness, health improvement and care coordination, we can create a system that works for everyone who uses, pays for or delivers health care.”

Under the program, the medical groups will monitor and coordinate all aspects of an individual’s medical care. Patients will continue to go to their current physicians and automatically receive the benefits of the program. Individuals who are enrolled in a Cigna health plan and later choose to seek care from these medical groups will also have access to the benefits of the program. There are no changes in any plan requirements regarding referrals to specialists. Patients most likely to see the immediate benefits of the program are those who need help managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

Critical to the program’s benefits are the registered nurse clinical care coordinators, employed by the medical groups, who will help patients with chronic conditions or other health challenges navigate the health care system. The care coordinators are aligned with a team of Cigna case managers to ensure a high degree of collaboration between the medical groups and Cigna, which will ultimately provide a better experience for the individual.

The care coordinators will enhance care by using patient-specific data from Cigna to help identify patients being discharged from the hospital who might be at risk for readmission, as well as patients who may be overdue for important health screenings or who may have skipped a prescription refill. The care coordinators are part of the physician-led care teams that will help patients get the follow-up care or screenings they need, identify potential complications related to medications and help prevent chronic conditions from worsening.

Care coordinators can also help patients schedule appointments, provide health education and refer patients to Cigna's clinical support programs, such as disease management programs for diabetes, heart disease and other conditions; and lifestyle management programs, such as programs for tobacco cessation, weight management and stress management.

Cigna will compensate the medical groups for the medical and care coordination services they provide. Additionally, the physician groups may be rewarded through a “pay for value” structure if they meet targets for improving quality and lowering medical costs.

Cigna has been at the forefront of the accountable care organization movement since 2008 and now has 114 Cigna Collaborative Care arrangements with large physician groups that span 28 states, reach more than 1.2 million commercial customers and encompass more than 48,000 doctors, including more than 23,000 primary care physicians and more than 25,000 specialists.

Cigna Collaborative Care is one component of the company's approach to physician engagement for health improvement, which also includes the innovative Cigna-HealthSpring® care model for Medicare customers. Today, more than 1.5 million Cigna and Cigna-HealthSpring customers benefit from nearly 280 engaged physician relationships across 31 states, with more than 79,000 doctors participating, including more than 33,000 primary care physicians and more than 46,000 specialists.

About Broward Health

Broward Health, providing service for more than 75 years, is a nationally recognized system in South Florida that offers world-class healthcare to all. Broward Health includes Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Chris Evert Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Weston, Broward Health Community Health Services, Broward Health Physician Group, Broward Health International, Broward Health Urgent Care and Broward Health Foundation. For more information, visit BrowardHealth.org.

About Memorial Healthcare System

Memorial Healthcare System is the third-largest public healthcare system in the country. It is a national leader in quality care and patient satisfaction and has been ranked on Modern Healthcare magazine’s list of Best Places to Work in Healthcare. Its facilities include Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital South, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Memorial Hospital West, Memorial Hospital Miramar, Memorial Hospital Pembroke and Memorial Manor nursing home. For more information, visit mhs.net.

About Cigna

Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. 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 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has approximately 85 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.