CIGNA to provide nationwide network

8/4/2010 3:33:17 PM

Summary ... Effective Jan. 1, 2011, Health Plan participants will use CIGNA PPO to choose network providers in all 50 states.

Full story ... Effective Jan. 1, 2011, the CIGNA Shared Administration Network will become the AFTRA Health Plan’s single nationwide Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network. Participants currently use the CIGNA network to choose network health care providers in 49 of 50 states, and soon they will use the same PPO network for California health care providers. The Health Plan will no longer use Anthem Blue Cross’ PPO network in California for dates of service after Dec. 31, 2010. As a result of the network change, all Health Plan participants will receive new simplified Health Plan ID cards later this year. 
 
CIGNA Shared Administration PPO is a broad, comprehensive network of health care providers. Before AFTRA H&R’s Trustees decided to make this change, research was conducted to confirm that the CIGNA network has sufficient numbers of providers throughout California, and the network includes the major California hospital systems most utilized by AFTRA Health Plan participants.

It is important to note that this change does not impact the Health Plan’s benefits or features. This change also does not affect any other vendors that provide administration services for other Health Plan benefits, including prescription drug benefits (Medco), mental health and chemical dependency benefits (ValueOptions), dental benefits (The Guardian) and life insurance benefits (Aetna). Also, CareAllies, a subsidiary of CIGNA, will continue to pre-certify all inpatient hospital admissions and private duty nursing services, as well as continue to provide case management services.
 
Confirm network status of California providers
In the coming weeks, participants should confirm the CIGNA network participation status of any current health care providers based in California. After Dec. 31, 2010, only services rendered by CIGNA network providers will be reimbursed by the Health Plan at the network rate. Participants should plan ahead (for maternity care, elective surgeries, etc.) to maintain continuous in-network care before and after the transition from Anthem Blue Cross to CIGNA. To identify providers in the CIGNA network, visit AFTRA H&R's “Find a provider” Web page and search CIGNA’s Shared Administration PPO Network. If you learn that one of your health care providers is not in the CIGNA network, you may nominate your provider to become a member of the network.
 
Additional resources and information
For additional information about this PPO transition, refer to the PPO transition FAQs and the next Benefits Update, which is scheduled to be mailed to all Health Plan participants in September 2010. If you have additional questions about this or any other issue, please call Participant Services at (800) 562-4690.