CIGNA HealthCare Members Gain Access to Mayo Clinic in Arizona

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Scottsdale, Ariz. — CIGNA HealthCare and Mayo Clinic announced today that they have signed an agreement to provide CIGNA HealthCare members and their covered dependents in-network access to Mayo's facilities and its specialty physicians effective June 1, 2006.

"CIGNA HealthCare is committed to quality care and ensuring that our members have access to an expansive provider network," said Kurt Weimer, president and general manager of CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona. "The addition of Mayo Clinic and its specialists to our network further positions us as a leader in quality care for businesses and their employees in Arizona and other western states. We are pleased that our members can now access this world-renowned institution for their specialized health care needs."

Under the agreement, CIGNA HealthCare preferred provider organization (PPO) members may visit Mayo Clinic's Arizona facilities and specialists for health care services and have those expenses considered for coverage at the maximum available (in-network) benefit. CIGNA HealthCare health maintenance organization (HMO) members or managed care members may use the facilities at in-network rates via the authorization and/or referral requirements of their health plan.

"Delivering quality medical care to patients is central to everything we do at Mayo Clinic," says Victor Trastek, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona. "We are excited to join the CIGNA HealthCare network and bring our specialized health care services to a greater number of people."

CIGNA HealthCare members interested in using the services of Mayo Clinic or its affiliated specialists are encouraged to discuss this option with their primary care provider to ensure coordinated care.

About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is the world's first and largest integrated group practice. The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is the only multi-site National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic focuses on providing specialty and surgical care in more than 65 disciplines at its outpatient facility in north Scottsdale and at Mayo Clinic Hospital. The 208- licensed bed hospital is located at 56th Street and Mayo Boulevard (north of Bell Road) in northeast Phoenix, and provides inpatient care to support the medical and surgical specialties of the clinic, which is located at 134th Street and Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale. Full emergency room services and urgent care are also provided at the hospital. Visit www.mayoclinic.org/news for more news about Mayo Clinic.

About CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona

With more than 35 years of history, CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona, Inc. is one of the oldest and largest health plans in the state. CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona provides health care coverage and employee benefit services to approximately 500,000 individuals throughout the state. The CIGNA Medical Group, a division of CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona, is the Valley's largest multi-specialty group practice with approximately 145,000 patients and 17 offices located throughout metropolitan Phoenix. "CIGNA HealthCare" refers to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI). Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation.

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