Cigna to Acquire Great American Supplemental Benefits Group

Posted on: May 14th, 2012 by Bill

Cigna to Acquire Great American® Supplemental Benefits Group

Acquisition Further Extends Cigna’s Capabilities in the Individual and Seniors Market
Cigna Adds Industry Leading Supplemental Benefits Solutions Provider to Its Existing
Individual and Senior Businesses
• Scalable Product Portfolio and Platform Highly Aligned with Expanded Consumer Strategy in a
High Growth Segment
• U.S. Supplemental Market A Natural Extension of Cigna’s Global Health Life & Accident Business

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. – May 10, 2012 – Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) and American Financial Group (NYSE/NASDAQ: AFG) today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement whereby Cigna will acquire Great American Supplemental Benefits Group, one of the largest manufacturers, distributors, and marketers of supplemental health insurance products in the United States. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2012 following customary regulatory approval.
“Great American Supplemental Benefits is an ideal strategic fit with Cigna’s growth plans to expand our presence in the U.S. Individual and Seniors segments through a broad range of supplemental health solutions,” said Thomas Richards, President, Cigna Individual and Family Plans.
The combination provides Cigna with several significant opportunities for additional growth: Expand individual supplemental benefits offerings to Cigna customers in the United States; Bring a scaled offering to the highly-attractive Seniors segment, with strong capabilities in Medicare Supplement and Other Supplemental Benefits;ƒ Extend Cigna’s global direct-to-consumer retail channel; and Further enhance Cigna’s diverse distribution network of agents and brokers.
“We are excited to have Great American’s talented team, led by their President, Brad Wolfram, join the Cigna organization,” continued Richards. “Their product portfolio and distribution channels combined with Cigna’s next generation retail capabilities will further enhance our U.S. and international consumer services. We will work to create substantial value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and other key stakeholders as we extend our health solutions and services across the individual and seniors segments.”

About CIGNA
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, and other related products including group disability, life, and accident coverage. Cigna has sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, with approximately 70 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.


PPACA Essential Benefits

Posted on: June 20th, 2011 by Bill

PPACA Essential Benefits…What are they?

Essential benefits are those benefits for which the health insurance companies are NOT allowed to impose any lifetime OR annual limits. This only applies to health insurance plans issued on or after September 23, 2010. The following list is neither all inclusive nor is there any Interim Final Rule specifically defining the Essential Health Benefits.So it could change again.

PPACA Essential Benefits:

  • Hospitalization
  • Emergency Services
  • Preventative and Wellness Services
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Lab Services
  • Mental Health
  • Rehabilitative and Habilitative Services and Devices

How will this affect you? Your current health plan should be removing lifetime and annual limits on in and out of network services for the following services:

  • Allergies
  • Urgent Care
  • Ambulance Services
  • Transplant Services
  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Skilled Nursing
  • Diabetic Supplies
  • Hospitalization
  • Diagnostics – Labs, Xrays, CT Scans, MRI’s
  • Mental Health Services
  • Outpatient Services
  • Prescription drugs
  • Preventative Care

Get some health insurance quotes and side by side comparisons to find the plans that fit you best.


_Healthcare Reform

Posted on: August 4th, 2009 by Bill


This video on Healthcare Reform is definitely worth watching.

It might take a couple of minutes to load. You can also follow this link http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?play=1&video=1199148604


Miami Dade Blue by Blue Cross Blue Shield

Posted on: June 2nd, 2009 by Bill

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) in partnership with Miami-Dade County has introduced a new health insurance product called Miami-Dade Blue. Miami-Dade Blue has been specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals, families searching for family or individual health insurance in Miami. Miami-Dade Blue is also available for groups of 2-50 employees seeking small group health insurance in Miami. More about Miami-Dade Blue


Medigap and Medicare in Florida

Posted on: May 27th, 2009 by Bill

Since Florida is such popular destination for seniors it stands to reason that there would be a lot of options for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement insurance in Florida. That being the case there are a lot of choices. AARP / United Healthcare Medicare supplement plans are among the best, since the plans themselves (A,B,C, etc.) are standardized it really comes down to the price and of course customer service.

There are also a multitude of Medicare Advantage plans available. These typically have no premium and the agents that market and sell them can be very aggressive. It is important that you evaluate each option and ask questions until you completely understand what you are signing up for.