CIGNA Expands Co-Marketing for CIGNATURE Rx(SM) Prescription Drug Plan With Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy Chain

BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Nov. 16, 2005  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA HealthCare today announced an agreement with Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy chain to co-brand its CIGNATURE Rx(SM) Medicare prescription drug plan and collaborate on in-store information and education.  Under the arrangement,* Brooks Eckerd pharmacies will provide access to CIGNATURE Rx for residents throughout New England.

"We are pleased to be working with this leading drugstore chain to offer our simple, affordable Medicare prescription drug plans," said Terri Swanson, vice president of CIGNA Senior Care.  "Teaming up with Brooks Eckerd will make it even easier and more convenient for people to learn about CIGNA's plans at pharmacies they know and trust."

Recently, CIGNA announced exclusive co-branding arrangements with Duane Reade Pharmacies, Kmart Pharmacies and Publix Pharmacies, and with Stop & Shop, Giant Food Stores, Martin's and TOPS supermarkets, which are all part of parent company Ahold USA.

As part of the co-branding agreement, CIGNA will make educational information available to customers at Brooks Eckerd.  When individuals request information on CIGNATURE Rx from their pharmacists, they will receive details about CIGNA's plans and an easy-to-complete enrollment form.  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 Brooks Eckerd pharmacy as well as any of CIGNA's 50,000 network participating pharmacies.

"Brooks Eckerd will be an important partner in CIGNA's effort to educate individuals on their new prescription drug benefit and their plan options," Swanson said.  In addition to welcoming CIGNA's Medicare Prescription Drug Plan cards at their pharmacies, Brooks Eckerd also will accept prescription drug cards from other Medicare plans approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

What is CIGNATURE Rx?

CIGNA will offer CIGNATURE Rx, its Medicare prescription drug plan, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia 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 and people always know what they will pay at the drug store.  Additionally, CIGNA's three-tier open formulary will include virtually all drugs typically prescribed by doctors.  For more details about CIGNATURE Rx(SM), go to the website, http://www.cigna.com/health/consumer/medical/cignaturerx, also accessible from http://www.cigna.com/.

About CIGNA HealthCare

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" refer to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI).  Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation.

About Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy

The Jean Coutu Group (PJC), Inc., the fourth largest drugstore chain in North America, operates under the name Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy.  Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy is the oldest drugstore chain in New England and now has more than 1,900 stores in 18 states along the East coast employing more than 45,000 people.  The company is headquartered in Warwick, R.I.  For information contact Michele Vilaret at 401-468-2857 or at 

* Brooks Eckerd pharmacies do not have an exclusive relationship with CIGNA. 

DATASOURCE: CIGNA HealthCare



Contact:  Gloria Barone of CIGNA HealthCare, [phone] or





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

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



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