Tag Archives: Cigna

Good News for Cigna Clients! Major Healthcare Deal Secured

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WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — In a significant development for local patients, Cigna HealthCare has announced that it will maintain its partnership with Wilmington Health, allowing customers to continue receiving care from this in-network provider. The two entities have finalized a three-year agreement that ensures Wilmington Health will remain accessible to Cigna members through January 31, 2028.

Previously, there had been uncertainties regarding the relationship, as Cigna had indicated that Wilmington Health would stop accepting its insurance plans by the beginning of 2025. This announcement stirred concerns among patients who rely on both services, particularly as discussions between the companies appeared to be centered on rising rates.

With this agreement in place, patients can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they can continue their treatment without any disruptions or additional financial burdens. A representative from Wilmington Health has advised that individuals seeking clarification about the new terms can reach out directly via phone at (910) 395-4188.

This collaboration not only enhances the choice of healthcare services for Cigna clients but also strengthens the support provided to the Wilmington community as they navigate their medical needs.

Cigna HealthCare and Wilmington Health Forge New Partnership for Patient Care

WILMINGTON, NC — Cigna HealthCare has solidified its commitment to patients in the Wilmington area by renewing its partnership with Wilmington Health. This new three-year agreement, which extends through January 31, 2028, permits Cigna members to continue receiving care from Wilmington Health, alleviating prior concerns about potential gaps in service provision.

### Background and Implications

Earlier discussions had hinted that Wilmington Health would cease to accept Cigna insurance by early 2025, prompting anxiety among the patient community. The recent affirmation of their partnership not only ensures continued access to necessary healthcare services but also preserves the financial stability of Cigna patients who would otherwise face out-of-network costs.

### Benefits of the Agreement

1. **Continuity of Care**: Patients can continue their established routines with familiar healthcare providers without fear of disruption.
2. **Financial Relief**: Cigna members will avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses associated with out-of-network services, making healthcare more affordable.
3. **Broader Service Availability**: The extension of this partnership expands the range of healthcare services available to Cigna clients, enhancing overall patient choice in their medical care.

### How to Stay Informed

For those seeking additional information regarding this new agreement or needing clarification on specific terms, patients are encouraged to contact Wilmington Health directly at (910) 395-4188. Staying informed about changes in healthcare partnerships is essential for navigating one’s healthcare options effectively.

### Future Trends in Healthcare Partnerships

The renewal of this partnership reflects a broader trend in the healthcare industry, where providers and insurers increasingly seek to align their interests to enhance patient care. Such collaborations are crucial in maintaining a robust healthcare ecosystem that prioritizes patient accessibility and cost management.

### Conclusion

Cigna HealthCare’s continued collaboration with Wilmington Health is a positive outcome for both organizations and their patients. It provides an essential safety net for those dependent on consistent and quality healthcare services. As healthcare landscapes evolve, partnerships like this one will be key to ensuring patients receive the best possible care without interruption.

For more in-depth healthcare information and updates, visit Cigna HealthCare.



Exciting news for Cigna clients! We are thrilled to announce that we have secured a major healthcare deal that will provide even more benefits and options for our members.

This new partnership will allow us to offer expanded coverage, improved access to healthcare providers, and enhanced services to better meet the needs of our clients. We are committed to providing top-quality healthcare and this agreement will further strengthen our ability to do so.

We are confident that this new deal will bring positive changes and added value to our clients, ensuring that they receive the best possible care and support. Stay tuned for more details on the specific benefits and enhancements that will be available to you as a Cigna member.

Thank you for choosing Cigna as your healthcare provider. We are dedicated to continually improving our services and offerings to provide you with the best possible healthcare experience. Stay healthy and stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development!

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Wilmington Health, Cigna reach agreement

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WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Cigna HealthCare customers can continue to use Wilmington Health as an in-network provider.

On Monday, the two companies announced they have reached a 3-year agreement. As a result, they will no longer be going out-of-network January 1, 2025.

Earlier this month, Cigna confirmed Wilmington Health would no longer be accepting Cigna Health Insurance. It appears the two sides may have been at at odds over rate increases.

The new agreement is in effect until January 31st of 2028.

Patients will continue with uninterrupted care under their current Cigna plans.

A Wilmington Health spokesperson says anyone with questions about the new agreement can contact them by calling (910) 395-4188.

 





Wilmington Health and Cigna have reached an agreement, ensuring that patients can continue to receive care from Wilmington Health providers without disruption. This agreement allows patients with Cigna insurance to access Wilmington Health’s network of providers and facilities, providing them with high-quality healthcare services. We are pleased to announce this agreement and look forward to continuing to serve our patients with Cigna insurance.

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ERISA Claim Accuses Plan Administrator and Cigna Affiliates of Co-Pay Maximizer Scheme

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Attorneys for Lockridge Grindal Nauen asked an upstate New York federal court on Thursday to dismantle an allegedly lucrative co-pay maximizer “scheme” that it says involves a Buffalo plan administrator and two partners which are affiliates of The Cigna Group.

The alleged “sham” ends up charging for out-of-pocket amounts that are beyond patients’ cost-sharing limits, the complaint in U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, alleges.

Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the claim says that the maximizer program “flouts patient-protective federal health insurance laws to seize copay assistance meant for patients.”

The case is captioned Annabelle Gurwitch v. Save On SP LLC, Express Scripts, Inc., and Accredo Health Group Inc.

It was filed by New York-admitted attorney Kristie A. LaSalle, special counsel with Lockridge Grindal Nauen’s Boston office, and indicates the law firm intends to ask the court to admit, pro hac vice, its Minneapolis partner Brian D. Clark and other colleagues from that office.

SaveOnSP of Buffalo advertises and administers a copay maximizer program with pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts, Inc., which controls prescription drug benefits for about 100 million Americans, across a network of close to 64,000 pharmacies, according to its website.

The third defendant, Accredo, is an affiliated specialty pharmacy. Express Scripts and Accredo are subsidiaries of a company that is itself a part of Connecticut-based The Cigna Group.

The lawsuit says the maximizer program is essentially a copay accumulator adjustment program, which deploys a practice that is outlawed in New York and nearly two other dozen states.

Accumulator programs collect the maximum amount of patient copay assistance at the start of a year, to exclude it from the patient’s annual cost-sharing limits. They target unsuspecting patients and send them hefty, unanticipated medical costs later in the plan year.

The practice was banned by New York regulators in 2022, while 22 other states bar insurers from practicing it. Lawmakers in 17 other states are considering similar bans, according to the lawsuit.

“Copay maximizers accomplish the same thing as copay accumulators, except they spread the collection of patient copay assistance out over the course of the year, so patients do not face the surprise bills that led to an outcry against accumulators,” the lawsuit alleges.

SaveOnSP “is little more than a maximizer program in a fancy dress,” it continues.

The named plaintiff is a California woman with stage 4 lung cancer who was prescribed an expensive specialty medication called Tagrisso.

The drug’s manufacturer, AstraZeneca, offers co-pay assistance to commercially insured patients like Gurwitch, who is insured by Blue Cross Blue Shield, according to the lawsuit, which says its client has been deprived of the AstraZeneca copayment assistance and is forced to incur excessive healthcare expenses because of BCBS’s participation in SaveOnSP.

The Lockridge attorneys LaSalle and Clark provided a joint statement to the New York Law Journal on Friday.

“We are pleased to represent Ms. Gurwitch and the proposed class in this important matter. Express Scripts’ partnership with SaveOnSP is harming some of this country’s most vulnerable patients and has diverted millions of dollars from them,” plaintiffs counsel said.

A spokesperson for The Cigna Group didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

The proposed class would include all patients who signed up for SaveOnSP, and those who were targeted, refused it, yet still bore additional cost-sharing obligations.



In a recent lawsuit filed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), a plan participant has accused the plan administrator and Cigna affiliates of engaging in a co-pay maximizer scheme that allegedly defrauded plan members and violated their fiduciary duties.

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants implemented a scheme in which they directed plan members to pay higher co-pays for prescription drugs than necessary, in order to increase profits for the plan administrator and Cigna affiliates. The scheme allegedly involved manipulating the co-pay amounts charged to plan members, even when lower-cost options were available.

The plan participant claims that this conduct not only harmed plan members financially, but also violated the defendants’ fiduciary duties under ERISA to act in the best interests of plan participants. The lawsuit seeks damages for the alleged harm caused by the defendants’ actions, as well as injunctive relief to prevent future misconduct.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in monitoring and holding plan administrators accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to managing prescription drug benefits. Plan participants should be aware of their rights under ERISA and take action if they suspect that their plan administrator is engaging in fraudulent or deceptive practices.

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