The rankings are based on the voluntary submission of health care quality results as measured through HEDIS(R) (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set); customer service scores based on member surveys through CAHPS(R) (Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and Systems); and scores on NCQA accreditation surveys.

"We are pleased to be the highest ranked health care plan in Maryland two years in a row, as recognized by U.S.News and NCQA," said Thomas Martel, president of CIGNA HealthCare Mid-Atlantic. "Our goal is to provide customers and members with the highest quality of health care services as well as educate consumers on how they can improve their health by offering an array of educational tools and coaching to members."

"America's Best Health Plans lets consumers know which plans have demonstrated that they can deliver the highest levels of care and service," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "Quality doesn't happen overnight. Plans that perform at a high level do so as a result of a longstanding commitment to improving care. It's an achievement to be proud of."

CIGNA HealthCare has a long history and record of success in seeking external validation of its quality improvement programs. All 23 of the CIGNA HealthCare HMO and POS plans that have undergone NCQA accreditation review, including CIGNA HealthCare of Mid-Atlantic hold Excellent Accreditation status. All have earned Distinction for NCQA's Quality Plus Member Connections and Physician and Hospital Quality standards. The Member Connections standards assess a plan's Web-based and telephonic consumer decision support tools. The Physician and Hospital Quality standards assess how well a plan provides members with information about physicians and hospitals in its network to help consumers make informed health care decisions.

About CIGNA HealthCare

CIGNA HealthCare, based in Bloomfield, CT, provides medical benefits plans, dental coverage, behavioral health coverage, pharmacy benefits and products and services that integrate and analyze information to support consumerism and health advocacy. "CIGNA HealthCare" is a registered service mark of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI) and its operating subsidiaries, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. Products and services are provided by such operating subsidiaries, and not by CIGNA Corporation. For more information, visit http://www.cigna.com/.

SOURCE: CIGNA

CIGNA
Kathleen Keenan, 215-761-4756
Kathleen.Keenan@cigna.com