CIGNA HealthCare launches Medicare HMO plan in Northern California.

GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 1995--CIGNA HealthCare of California Monday launched CIGNA HealthCare for Seniors, a Medicare HMO managed care plan.

The plan will cover most beneficiaries eligible for Medicare and features HMO coverage.

The plan will cover residents of San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

Seniors who sign up for the new product will receive all their routine Medicare-covered services from CIGNA HealthCare for Seniors plus a number of additional benefits that go beyond Medicare's basic coverage.

"CIGNA HealthCare for Seniors is a tremendous opportunity for Medicare recipients. By covering virtually all their deductibles and coinsurance payments for physician visits and hospitalization, it greatly reduces the cost of their health care," said Regina Lightner, vice president of Government Health Care Programs, CIGNA HealthCare of California.

Basic Medicare requires that seniors pay physician and hospital costs out of their pocket and then seek reimbursement; it also requires seniors to pay substantial deductibles and coinsurance payments for hospital and physician services. CIGNA plan members have virtually no claim forms when using plan providers.

Other features of CIGNA HealthCare for Seniors Plan 1 in Northern California include:

-- a wide selection of physicians, medical groups and hospitals;

-- lab tests and flu shots are covered in full; and

-- prescriptions are just $5 (per unit, or refill up to 30 days),

with an $800 annual maximum.

CIGNA HealthCare of California provides coverage to more than 680,000 individuals throughout California. The company's corporate parent, CIGNA HealthCare, operates HMOs in 30 states and insures 3.5 million people.

For more information on CIGNA HealthCare for Seniors, please call 800/81-SENIOR.

CONTACT: CIGNA HealthCare of California, Glendale

James Harris, 818/500-6948