CIGNATURE Rx(SM) Enrollment Center to Stay Open New Year's Eve; Still Time to Sign Up for Medicare Part D Benefits Effective Jan

BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Dec. 30, 2005  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With just two days left this year to enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, CIGNA HealthCare will keep the CIGNATURE Rx(SM) enrollment center open for New Year's Eve.  Anyone eligible for the new prescription plan who calls before 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Dec. 31 will receive coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2006.

The enrollment center, normally closing at 5 p.m. EST on Saturdays, will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST on Dec. 31 so that New Year's Eve revelers and others have the option of enrolling in CIGNA's Medicare prescription drug plan in time for coverage to take effect immediately.  The enrollment center can be reached at 1.800.735.1459.

"We want to make sure that we give seniors and others eligible for the new prescription plan every opportunity to sign up and to begin to reap the benefit of this coverage right away," said Terri Swanson, vice president of CIGNA Senior Care.

An overwhelming majority of Medicare prescription drug enrollees would recommend that other seniors sign up for the benefit, according to a new study by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).  Fifty-one percent of enrollees say their new plan will yield immediate savings and among the 36 percent of enrolled seniors who currently spend more than $100 per month on prescription drugs, 68 percent say their new plan will save them money*.

Those who enroll at the last minute this year will receive an acknowledgement letter within a few days.  This will serve as a temporary identification card that can be presented at pharmacies until the permanent plan ID card arrives.  When people enroll, they will receive verbal instructions on how to use their coverage at the pharmacy if they should need it before the acknowledgement letter arrives.

"Of course, we encourage people to sign up at any time," Swanson said, "but we want to be sure anyone who wants coverage effective immediately won't miss out."

Medicare Part D enrollment is open through May 15, 2006 with coverage taking effect on the first day of the month after the month people join, in accordance with guidelines from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

What is CIGNATURE Rx?

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

* Results from a survey conducted by Ayres, McHenry & Associates on behalf of AHIP 

DATASOURCE: CIGNA HealthCare



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





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

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



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