CIGNA Agrees With Rite Aid to Co-Market CIGNATURE Rx(SM) Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Nationwide

BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Nov. 21, 2005  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA HealthCare today announced an agreement with Rite Aid to co-brand its CIGNATURE Rx(SM) Medicare prescription drug plan and collaborate on in-store information and education nationwide.  Information about CIGNATURE Rx and other Medicare Part D plans is available at Rite Aid pharmacies throughout the country.

"We are excited to be expanding our co-marketing with Rite Aid," said Terri Swanson, vice president of CIGNA Senior Care.  "Working with Rite Aid will make it even easier and more convenient for people to learn about CIGNA's simple and affordable plans at a trusted pharmacy near them."

As part of the marketing agreement, CIGNA and Rite Aid will make educational information available to Rite Aid customers, as well as provide details about CIGNA's plans.  Customers who enroll in CIGNATURE Rx will be issued a co-branded prescription drug card bearing the name of the participating pharmacy, and CIGNA.  Prescriptions can be filled at any of the Rite Aid pharmacies as well as any of CIGNA's 50,000 network participating pharmacies.

Recently, CIGNA announced exclusive co-branding arrangements with Duane Reade Pharmacies in New York, Kmart Pharmacies nationwide, and Publix Pharmacies in the south, as well as with Stop & Shop, Giant Food Stores, Martin's and TOPS, supermarkets in the northeast that are all part of parent company Ahold USA.  CIGNA also announced non-exclusive co-branding relationships with Longs Drug Stores in the western United States and Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy chain in New England.

With the addition of Rite Aid, CIGNATURE Rx is now co-branded in 8,000 pharmacies around the country and available at 50,000 pharmacies nationwide.

"Rite Aid and CIGNA will work together to educate individuals on their new prescription drug benefit and their plan options," Swanson said.

What is CIGNATURE Rx?

CIGNATURE Rx, CIGNA's Medicare prescription drug plan, is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and is provided in alliance with NationsHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ:NHRXNASDAQ:NHRXUNASDAQ:NHRXW).  The alliance combines CIGNA's leading pharmacy product capabilities with NationsHealth's experience in service and distribution to the Medicare population.

NationsHealth will provide call center and enrollment support for CIGNA. Representatives are available to provide personalized service to callers for as long as they need to ask questions, review CIGNATURE Rx plan options and make enrollment decisions.

CIGNA will offer a choice of three CIGNATURE Rx Medicare prescription drug plan options to suit individual needs.  These will range from the lowest priced Value Plan to the no-deductible Plus Plan to the Complete Plan, which will provide an increased level of coverage for generic drugs to ensure there is no gap in coverage.

All CIGNATURE Rx plans will feature flat co-pays so there are no surprises in what people will pay at the prescription counter.  Additionally, CIGNA's three-tier open formulary will include virtually all drugs typically prescribed by doctors.  For more details about CIGNATURE Rx, go to the website, http://www.cigna.com/health/consumer/medical/cignaturerx, also accessible from http://www.cigna.com/.

About CIGNA

CIGNA will offer its Medicare Part D plans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in alliance with NationsHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ:NHRXNASDAQ:NHRXUNASDAQ:NHRXW).  The alliance combines CIGNA's pharmacy product capabilities with NationsHealth's experience in service and distribution to the Medicare population.

CIGNA HealthCare, headquartered 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" and "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

About Rite Aid Corporation

Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with annual revenues of $16.8 billion and approximately 3,350 stores in 28 states and the District of Columbia.  Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at http://www.riteaid.com/. 

DATASOURCE: CIGNA HealthCare



Contact:  Gloria Barone, CIGNA, [phone], 



Web site:  http://www.riteaid.com/ 

Web site:  http://www.cigna.com/

http://www.cigna.com/health/consumer/medical/cignaturerx 



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