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CHICAGO--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Cigna (NYSE:CI) has been selected byChicagoas Rush System for Health to administer the employee health plan for some 17,000 Rush employees and their family members, beginning January 1, 2013. Cigna will administer the health plan for employees of Rush University Medical Center (Chicago), Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush-Copley Medical Center (Aurora).

"Rush selected Cigna because of the wide range of capabilities and services they provide -- which allows us to build a medical plan that attracts and retains top talent -- as well as their philosophy related to outcomes-based care management"

Cigna will provide administrative services, such as claims processing and health care professional network management for Rush, which self-funds its plan.

Also as part of a three-year contract, Cigna and Rush will collaborate on care management programs by combining Cigna's data analytics capabilities with Rushas clinical program excellence, working in tandem to improve health and productivity for Rush employees and their families.

aRush selected Cigna because of the wide range of capabilities and services they provide -- which allows us to build a medical plan that attracts and retains top talent -- as well as their philosophy related to outcomes-based care management,a said Brent J. Estes, president, Rush Health and vice president, Rush System for Health. aWorking with Cigna, we continue to put prevention and health improvement at the heart of our benefits plan. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with Cigna.a

aCigna is proud to be working with Rush to provide a leading-edge health plan for employees,a said Sue Podbielski, Cigna president for Midwest markets. aAs we welcome our new customers, our focus is on providing them reliable, responsive and personalized customer service, with individualized health care programs that help them achieve their personal health goals.a

Podbielski and Estes also said that as a part of the new relationship, Cigna and Rush would also begin discussions about new models of health care delivery, such as Cigna's collaborative accountable care initiatives, that seek to achieve the atriple aima of improved health outcomes (quality), lower total medical costs and increased patient satisfaction.

Cigna also entered into new, three-year network agreements with Rush System for Health and Rush Health, providing Cigna's Chicago-area customers in-network access to quality, affordable care from Rushas four hospitals and more than 800 health care professionals who are part of Rush Health.

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 ].

About The Rush System for Health

The Rush System for Health (RSH) is an Illinois not-for-profit organization comprised of Rush University Medical Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital, Rush Copley Medical Center, and Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. The system was organized to provide services to its not-for-profit members in the areas of strategic planning, quality improvement, and the arrangement of services to facilitate efficient healthcare delivery through group purchasing, managed care contracting, and health benefits procurement.

About Rush Health

Rush Health is a not-for-profit organization whose members include Rush University Medical Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital and physicians on the medical staffs of these hospitals. Rush Health acts as a key representative to businesses, their employees and their insurers while developing and providing programs that help to continuously improve the quality of the care for patients.