In a significant turn of events, Cigna Group has ceased its efforts to merge with fellow health-insurance provider Humana. Initially poised to form a colossal entity valued at approximately $140 billion, the deal’s dissolution arose primarily due to disagreements over financial terms. Despite prior discussions hinting at a possible closure by year’s end, the proposed cash-and-stock transaction faced skepticism, particularly concerning the use of Cigna’s stock as a part

The comprehensive analysis of the “Vitality in America” study, commissioned by The Cigna Group, reveals crucial insights into the state of vitality among Generation Z and other American adults. This study, conducted in June 2023, surveyed 10,000 adults and used the Evernorth Vitality Index (EVI) to measure health and well-being across eight dimensions: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual. Generation Z’s Vitality Metrics Mental Health Challenges

In a move that could reshape the health insurance landscape, industry giants Cigna and Humana are reportedly in advanced discussions for a monumental merger. This deal, valued at an estimated $140 billion, is poised to create a new leader in the health insurance sector. We delve into the implications of this potential merger and how it could redefine competitive dynamics in the industry. The Merger: A Strategic Game-Changer Cigna

New York Life Insurance and Cigna in December 2019 reached a deal for New York Life to acquire Cigna’s group life and disability insurance business for US$6.3 billion. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The group life and disability insurance business will operate within New York Life’s portfolio of strategic businesses and support

U.S. health insurer and administrator Cigna and pharmacy benefit management organization Express Scripts in May 2019 announced they collaborated with Amazon Alexa, a virtual assistant device, to produce two new voice skills. Express Scripts customers who use prescription home delivery services will now be able to manage their pharmacy prescriptions using voice technology. By saying “Alexa, open Express Scripts”, users can monitor their prescription order status and receive notifications

Cigna in September 2018 announced the launch of Cigna Ventures, a corporate venture fund focused on transformative and innovative healthcare companies. Cigna has committed $250 million of capital to help it find, assess and sponsor early-stage innovation ideas that call for deeper exploration through pilots and test-and-learn activities. The $250 million will be used to invest in startups and growth-stage companies across three strategic areas: insights and analytics; digital

ANZ Bank New Zealand in June 2018 announced that Cigna will acquire OnePath Life for NZ$700 million. According to ANZ, the transaction is made at a “slight premium to embedded value and is expected to generate a gain on sale of around NZ$50 million.” The agreement also includes a 20-year partnership whereby Cigna will provide insurance policies for ANZ bank customers. ANZ said it intends for all staff involved

Cigna in March 2018 announced it will acquire pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts in a $67 billion cash and stock deal.  According to Cigna CEO David Cordani, the merger “will drive health care costs down while improving the quality of care.” The proposed merger would allow Cigna to lower its costs by in-sourcing pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services, and to absorb Express Scripts’ profits. How can Cigna lower its

Cigna in December 2017 announced the appointment of Thien Brechon as Senior Sales Director France. She is responsible for leading the organization’s expanding health insurance services for globally mobile employees and works in partnership with Nicolas Redant, Sales Director for France, Belgium, Luxembourg and French-speaking Switzerland. Specifically, Brechon is tasked to develop Cigna’s presence in France. She will lead initiatives to provide personalized healthcare products and services for globally

The 2017 Cigna 360o Well-being Survey of Globally Mobile Individuals, released in July 2017, shows that Britons’ sense of personal well-being has seen a sharp decline over the past three years, as financial pressures mount and put strains on family health. The U.K. has fallen from third to eighth place of the 13 countries in the study, and now lags behind India and China. Researchers looked at five main

Cigna in July 2017 announced it had acquired Zurich Insurance Middle East (SAL). The newly-acquired company will be called “Zurich Insurance Middle East, a Cigna-Owned company” in line with local regulations. Cigna’s strategy in the Middle East is to deliver group health products and services for small businesses and family-owned enterprises through to multinational companies. Arthur Cozad, former CEO of Cigna Taiwan, has been named as CEO for Middle

As part of its continuing expansion across the Asia Pacific region, Cigna has announced the appointment of Raymond Ng as the new Regional Head of Distribution – Global Health Benefits, for Cigna’s Asia Pacific Leadership Team, which is led by Patrick Graham, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific, Cigna International Markets. Ng, a graduate of Curtin University in Bentley, Western Australia, will be responsible for cross-market growth and development of

As part of its continuing expansion across the Asia Pacific region, Cigna has announced the appointment of Ray Bond as the new Regional Head of Distribution – Individual Health, for Cigna’s Asia Pacific Leadership Team, based in Hong Kong and reporting to Patrick Graham, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific, Cigna International Markets. Bond’s duties will include expanding Cigna’s Global IPMI business in the Asia Pacific region, which targets globally

Cigna in March 2017 announced the appointment of Alison Meckiffe as Chief Marketing Officer for Cigna’s Global Individual Private Medical Insurance business, reporting to Arjan Toor, Director of Cigna Global IPMI. Meckiffe joins Cigna with over 17 years’ experience of strategic marketing and customer insight, most recently with AXA U.K., where her most recent role was Chief Operating Officer Chief Operating Officer for Direct & Retail Partnerships, with responsibility for

Cigna’s global expatriate segment, Cigna Global Health Benefits Europe (Cigna GHB), in February 2017 announced the promotion of Raymond Linnartz to the senior management position of European Sales Director. Linnartz, who has almost 17 years’ experience in sales and business development, has been with Cigna for 11 years. He was previously with Aon and Mercer in multiple roles as an adviser on employee benefits solutions to Fortune 500 companies.

Cigna’s global expatriate segment, Cigna Global Health Benefits Europe (Cigna GHB), in February 2017 announced the promotion of Frank Indestege to Market Development Director, Europe. His new duties at Cigna GBH will include responsibility for business development projects and strategic partnerships across Europe. His remit will include identifying product and partnership needs for strategic markets, notably France, Germany, and the Nordic territories. Indestege, who holds a Master’s degree in

The U.S. district court for the District of Columbia in February 2017 has blocked health insurer Anthem’s proposed merger with Cigna, citing antitrust concerns in respect of large national employers. Anthem announced it will appeal the decision, whilst Cigna “evaluates its options”. U.S. district judge Amy Berman Jackson found that “the merger is likely to result in higher prices”. Earlier in 2017, the same U.S. district court had found

Cigna Global Health Benefits in June 2016 announced the appointment of Neil Irwin as Head of Global Distribution. In this role, Neil will be responsible for cross-market growth and development of Cigna’s globally mobile group health business across multiple client and customer segments around the globe. Before joining Cigna, Neil was Managing Director at Marsh and was responsible for developing client relationships and driving growth, strategic insurer relationships, marketing

Cigna Global Health Benefits in September 2016 announced an expanded partnership with African-based insurer, Hollard Insurance Group. Hollard and Cigna have created a fully compliant health insurance product in sub-Saharan Africa, Hollard Cigna Health, that meets the legal requirements of globally mobile staff as well as regional expats and key local nationals from corporations with operations in the region. A pan-African product, it is able to cater to national

After Aetna and Humana in December 2016 extended the deadline of their proposed merger to mid-February 2017 ( see here ), Anthem in January 2017 extended to April 30, 2017 its own deadline for completing its proposed merger with Cigna. All four healthcare providers await U.S. federal court rulings to decide the legality of their respective deals.

CareAllies, a new subsidiary of Cigna, was established in June 2016 to help health service providers transition away from fee-for-service business models to those that encourage greater risk-sharing by establishing their own care organizations or even their own health plans. These goals – value-based reimbursement schemes – are similar to those of UnitedHealth Care’s subsidiary Optum. CareAllies will work with private and public providers to provide the technology and

When the Lumina Foundation studied the Cigna Corporation’s Employee Reimbursement Program, they discovered that reimbursing employees for tuition spent on higher education is a valuable business investment that “translates into quantifiable cost avoidance for Cigna.” The Lumina Foundation, a national foundation focused on increasing post-secondary attainment, partnered with Cigna to design the study, which was conducted by Accenture. Lumina’s analysis of Cigna’s Educational Reimbursement Program (ERP) revealed that encouraging

Cigna discovered that reimbursing employees for tuition spent on higher education is a good business practice that benefits the company as well as the employee. An analysis of Cigna’s own Educational Reimbursement Program (ERP) revealed that encouraging and helping employees attain a secondary or post-secondary degree increases employee retention and career opportunities. Moreover, participants in the program are 10 percent more likely to receive a promotion, 7.5 percent more likely

In November 2015 Cigna released its Global Mobility Trends Survey, updating the 2013 edition. The survey, conducted between April and June 2015, included 2700 expatriate respondents on assignment in 156 countries. Key findings: Global mobility appears to be evolving into a career unto itself. Expats say they need more communication and support, but employers are viewed as moving in the opposite direction. Expats want more assistance with local culture

The Cigna Foundation, a private foundation founded in 1962 and funded with contributions from Cigna, in April 2016 announced that it is seeking grant, sponsorship, and “thought leadership” opportunities related to workplace health in Middle East, Africa, India, China, and Europe. This Prioritizing Workplace Wellness campaign emphasizes Cigna’s commitment to health equity and improving wellness via the global workplace and builds on Cigna’s vision of the workplace as being

Cigna in April 2015 named Javier Cano as managing director of its global healthcare benefits business in Europe. While he continues to be based in Madrid, Javier leads a team operating across Europe with three key operational hubs located in the U.K., Belgium, and Spain. He joined Cigna in 2006 as sales director, having been previously with Oliver Wyman (Marsh McLennan group). He holds an MBA from INSEAD and

Cigna in January 2015 released Cigna Compass, a new application based on predictive algorithms to guide U.S. health plan customers in building their own personal health care team of practitioners and save money. Cigna Compass synthesizes data related to a consumer’s medical plan use, biometric data, incentive information, claims history, and coaching program involvement to improve health and lower health-care costs. It guides customers to stay in-network and choose