True benefit integration outperforms bundled benefits

Cigna remains the only carrier¹ to perform an annual Value of Integration study on their national book of business. The study measures the impact of medical, pharmacy and comprehensive behavioral benefit integration on annual total medical costs.²  As with previous years, we engaged a third party, Milliman, Inc.,³ to provide an independent review of study designs and methodology. Our fifth and latest study shows once again that customers with integrated benefits have better health engagement, better outcomes and lower total health care costs.²

Among the study’s findings: On average, Cigna’s clients with integrated benefits recognized a total medical cost savings of $227 annually per customer.² And when it comes to high-cost conditions, the study showed an annual savings of $2,777 for diabetes, $6,708 for cancer and $478 for musculoskeletal.² Customers with integrated health plans are also more engaged and taking steps to achieve their best health – body and mind – with 25% more engagement in medical case management and behavioral coaching.²

Here’s a specific breakdown of integration in action.

Let’s look at a cancer diagnosis as our example. The study² found that due to the combination of medical, pharmacy and behavioral benefits, we're able to identify and engage at an early juncture – either at the very beginning of a customer’s health care journey or even before they’ve been diagnosed. For those who may be in the early stages of a cancer diagnosis, a case manager can proactively reach out to provide both emotional and financial support. By getting ahead of the diagnosis and establishing a relationship early on, we see 10% higher engagement in our case management programs.² Furthermore, during a customer's treatment, we can make evaluations by leveraging the full spectrum of benefits, which enables us to provide better support and intervene when needed.

By taking this holistic view, our case managers, specialized oncology pharmacists and clinicians can track a customer’s full health journey, which helps remove barriers to care. Our team also works one-on-one with customers and their caregivers to help manage drug side effects, provide support for depression, offer financial assistance and support palliative care, if needed. Because of this, we see 12% lower inpatient readmissions and fewer emergency room visits.²

“The results of the study demonstrate the value of our integrated approach,” said Matt Totterdale, Senior Vice President, Cigna Pharmacy. “We are able to maximize every opportunity to deliver a health care experience that is affordable, predictable and simple for employers, while improving the outcomes of their employees and best supporting individuals’ physical and mental health."

Visit our Cigna Value of Integration microsite for the full whitepaper, videos and more.

1. Based on competitive intelligence findings.
2. Cigna 2020 Book of Business study of medical customers with integrated medical, pharmacy and total behavioral health vs. those with Cigna medical and carved out pharmacy. Publicly available report accessible at www.milliman.com/en/insight/cigna-integrated-benefits. Individual results will vary; not guaranteed. Average annual per member per year (PMPY) and per patient per year (PPPY).
3. Milliman did not validate the Cigna 2020 Integration Study but reviewed the approach and methods used to conduct the study and found them to be reasonable and appropriate. Cigna used a published academic method and appropriate statistical tests and rigor. Cigna engaged Milliman to perform this review of Cigna analysis. Milliman did not conduct an independent analysis to verify any results. Milliman did not audit the data or the programming code used to conduct the study and does not guarantee any results. The data used for the Cigna study was Cigna’s own internal data.