“Cigna is proud that our continuing efforts have helped raise awareness of the importance of preventive care, and have actually driven a six percent increase in preventive care visits among Cigna customers,*” said Stephen Cassell, Vice President, Global Branding, Cigna. “We hope that hearing from our new TV Doctors ensemble this fall will spur even more people to take action and schedule their annual check-up. The talented TV Doctors cast is personally committed to helping people improve their health, and they’re helping us use humor to bring an urgent health message to the American public in a light-hearted way.”

Cigna’s preventive care mission is steeped in a desire to save lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 100,000 lives could be saved if everyone got the recommended preventive care they needⁱ, which often starts with seeing a doctor for an annual check-up. But Americans use preventive services at only about half the recommended rateⁱⁱ despite it being covered by most health insurance plansⁱⁱⁱ, prompting Cigna to launch the campaign to increase awareness of how a simple step can have great benefits.

The 2017 TV Doctors will appear in many platforms across television, digital and social channels. TV Doctors remind consumers to know their four health numbers for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI, which are responsible for the majority of preventable chronic disease and are the main drivers of managing and reducing health care costs^iv.

Additionally, Cigna has been supplementing its wellness campaigns – best illustrated by the TV Doctors – with a grassroots Health Improvement Tour. In 2017, this cross-country initiative has delivered nearly 7,000 in-person, free biometric screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI to nearly 65 cities at 100 events nationwide. Across the country, Cigna has helped participants become aware of high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and counseled people on how to follow-up and seek medical support. A Cigna health study showed 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^v.

Cassell said, “Our goal is to change the way Americans think of health care from treating sickness to encouraging preventive care. By getting the right health services, people are taking steps to increase their chances for living a longer, healthier life.”

Everyone is encouraged to visit Cigna.com/TakeControl, where they will find the tools and resources to help them better understand and manage their health.

America’s Favorite TV Doctors Scrub Up with @Cigna to Encourage People to Improve Their Health #GoKnowTakeControl Tweet

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 95 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna^®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.

*Data includes claims paid out by Cigna health plans for adult preventive care check-ups in September 2015 and September 2016 (excludes Medicare Prime and State of Illinois accounts).

ⁱ CDC Prevention Checklist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015; http://www.cdc.gov/prevention/
ⁱⁱ CDC Preventive Health Care Tip Sheet, 2015, http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/preventivehealth.html
ⁱⁱⁱ 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.
^iv 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.
^v 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.