CIGNA offers assistance to members in Missouri disaster area

July 1, 2008

CIGNA recognizes that individuals affected by community disasters sometimes need resources to assist them in coping with the shock and grief over such circumstances.

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania--CIGNA has announced a number of exceptions to its normal processes to assist those covered under a CIGNA plan who have been affected by flooding in Missouri.

Effective retroactive to June 23, 2008, the following provisions will be in place for all CIGNA members residing in locations designated as disaster areas in Missouri:

Prescription refill time restrictions, usually 30 days, will be waived to allow members to have prescriptions refilled at an earlier date without prior approval.

Any precertification requirements, such as for inpatient hospital admissions or certain types of medications, will be waived for all medical and pharmacy services.

In-network benefits will be paid for medical services, even if a member must see an out-of-network physician or other provider.

Any timely submission requirements, including appeal and claim submission requirements, will be extended for an additional 60 days.

Individuals covered under dental HMO plans can access emergency and urgent dental care without prior approval and will not be required to get referrals for specialty care.

Those covered under a dental PPO plan will have any out-of-network fees waived.

In addition, the grace period for employer or premium payments to CIGNA will be extended 60 additional days, for a total period of 91 days.

These actions will be in effect until July 13, 2008 or later if necessary. Members with questions are encouraged to call the customer service phone number on their CIGNA ID card or the CIGNA nationwide customer service telephone number at (800) 244-6224.

The recent floods have dramatically affected individuals and communities across the Midwest. CIGNA recognizes that individuals affected by community disasters sometimes need resources to assist them in coping with the shock and grief over such circumstances.

CIGNA provides an online Disaster Resource Center for individuals and employers, which is available at CIGNA.

To read more about CIGNA, go to CIGNA.

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