- Measuring Aon’s cost efficiency shows that the integration of medical, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health benefits reduced the total cost of care of $148 per member per year
- An additional Cigna study finds greater savings from integrated care for chronic disease beneficiaries, including more than $11,000 in reducing the cost of care for those taking special medicines for inflammatory conditions
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., January 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A study released today by Cigna (NYSE: CI), a global healthcare services company, finds that the triple integration of medical, pharmaceutical and behavioral benefits has led to lower healthcare costs for employers. Led by Aon plc, one of the world’s leading professional services firms, the Study on the value of integration shows Cigna’s Integrated Employer customers have saved $148 per member per year in 2021.
Using a similar study method, Cigna then evaluated the financial impact of engaging employees to participate in health improvement programs, such as wellness coaching. The results show even greater customer savings for Cigna integrated employer customers, exceeding $1,400 per member per year.
Additionally, Cigna found that when individuals with specific conditions and high-cost therapies were enrolled in a triple-integration health plan and needed specialty medicines, the savings to the health plan were:
- Almost $9,000 per member per year, increasing to more than $11,000 per member when the special drug is for an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis; And
- Almost $17,500 per year for members who have been on special medications and have a confirmed diagnosis of depression.
“Built-in benefits provide a real-time connected platform that allows us to anticipate our customers’ unique healthcare needs and support them as they make important healthcare decisions, reducing costs over time,” he said Katie Wong, head of pharmacy, Cigna Pharmacy. “There is tremendous value for employers in having this holistic view across the continuum of care for their workforce. It produces significant health care savings, which they can pass on to their employees, and also improves employee health. their workforce, which fuels productivity and business growth.
“The measurement confirms the direct connection between the integrated medical, pharmaceutical and behavioral benefits and the lower costs of medical claims,” he said. Todor Penev, Aon’s leader in business analytics. “Employers should feel confident that integrated benefits hold the promise of improved health outcomes and ultimately reduce financial risk to the employer, helping to build a more resilient workforce.”
Manage the cost of chronic conditions
More than 60 percent of adults in the United States living with a chronic disease, such as musculoskeletal pain or diabetes, and chronic disease is a major driver of the nation $4.1 trillion annual healthcare costs. Built-in benefits can help keep chronic disease costs down. Cigna found that when members were enrolled in a triple supplement health plan, the savings for the health plan were:
- Almost $400 one year for members with a musculoskeletal diagnosis.
- More than $1,400 a year in which an individual with a musculoskeletal diagnosis is engaged with a health coach.
- Almost $2,500 per member per year with a diagnosis of diabetes.
Cigna found that members with integrated benefits and support from health improvement programs need fewer emergency department visits and less expensive inpatient invasive procedures. This includes:
- Members with diabetes have a 17% lower rate of avoidable emergency room visits.
- Members with musculoskeletal issues experience:
- 133% lower rate of surgeries in a hospital setting.
- 26% lower opioid overdose rate.
- 16% fewer interventional procedures, such as injections and biopsies.
Cigna Trail
The results come as Cigna launches a new suite of products designed to create the kind of connected care experience that delivers these integrated customer savings. Cigna Pathwell leverages the analytics, clinical expertise, treatment planning, and personalized digital solutions within Evernorth, Cigna’s health services business, and integrates them with Cigna’s medical, pharma, and behavioral benefits management. Cigna and high-performance provider networks to create a comprehensive, personalized care experience for patients living with high-cost health conditions.
“This research underscores the best health outcomes and savings we can achieve through creating a more personalized and connected health care journey, which we have built with Cigna Pathwell,” said Heather Dlugolenski, senior vice president, US Solutions, Cigna. “Cigna Pathwell connects customers with the providers and therapies best suited to their unique health conditions and, through our unparalleled data and experience, can help anticipate their future needs to help them recover faster.” .
by Aon 2022 Study on the value of integration can be found here.
Aon Study Methodology
by Aon 2022 Value of integration The study is based on a two-year (2020-2021) analysis of the medical claims of more than 2 million Cigna customers who receive coverage through their employers. Aon was independently contracted to design and execute the study. The book-of-business study leveraged Aon’s proprietary cost efficiency measurement, a matched case-control methodology, by comparing groups of individuals who are similar (age, gender, health status, and benefits) but differ in terms of coverage of medical services, pharmaceuticals and behavioral benefits.
Cigna study methodology
Cigna used a match case-control methodology developed in Harvard University produce supplemental statistics on different subsets of clients (those with certain comorbidities, those who have engaged in health improvement activities, etc.).
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation is a global healthcare services company dedicated to improving the health, well-being and peace of mind of those we serve. Cigna delivers choice, predictability, convenience, and access to quality care through integrated capabilities and connected, personalized solutions that promote health for the whole person. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Evernorth Companies or their affiliates, and Express Scripts Companies or their affiliates. These products and services include an integrated suite of healthcare services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products.
Cigna maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries and jurisdictions and has more than 190 million customer relationships worldwide. Learn more about Cigna®including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
Contact with the media
Kelly Matthews
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SOURCE Cigna