A Healthy New Year for CIGNA Healthcare Members With New Programs to Achieve This Year's Resolutions

Bloomfield, Conn. (January 23, 2003)- A Healthy New Year for CIGNA Healthcare Members With New Programs to Achieve This Year's Resolutions

"Making a lifestyle change is never easy because it's usually more than just modifying an action, overcoming a physical addiction or avoiding a particular situation," said Jodi Aronson Prohofsky, Ph.D. L.M.F.T., vice president of Clinical Operations for CIGNA Behavioral Health. "There are often emotional and psychological elements tied to smoking and eating behaviors. Most of us have been programmed over the years to deal with stressful situations in a certain way. The most successful programs address addictions on multiple levels–both physical and emotional."

To give its members new options to achieve their health goals, CIGNA HealthCare has expanded its Healthy Rewards^® discount program* in 2003 to include savings on tobacco cessation, weight management and stress reduction, as well as nutrition, exercise and health information. CIGNA HealthCare, CIGNA Behavioral Health and CIGNA Dental HMO plan members can now save up to 10 percent on these Healthyroads for Living programs provided through Healthyroads, Inc.

The Healthyroads for Living programs provide different service levels, allowing people to choose an intensity that best meets their needs and budget. Based on clinical research, the programs offer a broad-based system of coaching, motivational techniques and practical education support through telephone interaction, guidebooks, multimedia modules and web-based tools.

In America today, 23.5 percent of adults smoke and 61 percent are obese or overweight. (Health Affairs, March 2002) Forty-three percent of adults suffer from adverse health effects from stress, which can be linked to the six leading causes of death–heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. (American Psychological Association, 1997) All contribute to higher health care costs and lost productivity in the workplace.

For example, obesity is associated with a 36 percent increase in inpatient and outpatient spending and a 77 percent increase in medications. Smokers contribute to a 21 percent increase in inpatient and outpatient spending and 28 percent increase in medications. (Health Affairs, March 2002) In terms of lost hours due to absenteeism, reduced productivity and workers' compensation benefits stress costs American industry more than $300 billion a year. (APA, 1997)

"We've designed Healthy Rewards^® to help our consumers save on products and services that fit their lifestyle choices," said Julie Pak, program director for CIGNA Healthy Rewards^®."These new services will help some of our members improve their quality of life through better health."

Healthy Rewards^® also offers savings on health and wellness products, vitamins and herbal supplements, sports nutrition items, books and videos. Other CIGNA Healthy Rewards^® discount programs include complementary care services such as massage therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic care; fitness club memberships; cosmetic dentistry; laser vision correction; eyewear and hearing care. Members can find out about these and other Healthy Rewards^® programs and locate providers by logging onto www.cigna.com/healthyrewards or by calling 1-800-870-3470.

The Healthy Rewards^® discount program is offered at no additional cost to employers or members, as a way to enhance their benefit plans and meet the growing demand for complementary care services. It is provide