Cigna Joins Forces with Doctors of Television to Promote Annual Check-ups

Actors Alan Alda, Patrick Dempsey, Lisa Edelstein, Donald Faison and Noah Wyle donned scrubs and white coats to take on a new role with Cigna, letting America know, "We've saved hundreds of lives on TV. Now we're helping to save lives for real." 

The TV doctors will appear in a multi-media platform including television, digital and social channels, and will use their star power to help influence consumers to go get their annual check-ups, know their key health numbers for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and Body Mass Index (BMI), and take control of their health.

"Cigna is on a mission to get people to their health care provider for their annual check-up in a campaign we call 'Go. Know. Take Control,'" said Stephen Cassell, Cigna global brand officer. "And we're delivering the message in a fun and entertaining way to capture people's attention and encourage positive behavior for better health."

Cassell added, "We're informing consumers of new ways to help them understand the importance of the annual check-up while also emphasizing the need to know key health numbers."  

Cigna's goal is to help save 100,000 lives a year, the number of lives the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates would be saved if everyone received his or her recommended preventive care.* According to the CDC, Americans use preventive services at only about half the recommended rate. ** The campaign encourages all consumers to get their annual check-up – which most health plans cover at 100 percent as part of a suite of preventive services.***

Additionally, the campaign reminds consumers to know their Body Mass Index (BMI), cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar numbers, which are the main drivers of managing and reducing health care costs. Recent Cigna health studies show that understanding simple personal information about these four health numbers can help individuals save as much as $1,400 a year in out-of-pocket costs.****

Everyone is encouraged to visit Cigna.com/TakeControl, created by Cigna to put control into the customer's hands by providing the tools and resources to help understand and manage health. The site includes a simple-to-use smartphone app, website, and cost calculators.

* Source: CDC Prevention Checklist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015; http://www.cdc.gov/prevention/  

** Source: CDC Preventive Health Care Tip Sheet, 2015, http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/preventivehealth.html

*** Includes eligible in-network preventive care services. Some preventive care services may not be covered, including most immunizations for travel. Reference plan documents for a list of covered and non-covered preventive care services.

****Annual out-of-pocket health care savings comparing 200,000 study participants over three years whose four health numbers — BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar — were within a healthy range versus those study participants who did not know their four health numbers. Source: Cigna Affordability Study, 2014.

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 by or 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, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 90 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.

SOURCE Cigna