True benefit integration outperforms bundled benefits

Cigna remains the only carrier* to perform an annual Value of Integration study on their national book of business, to evaluate the impact of medical, pharmacy and comprehensive behavioral benefit integration on annual total medical costs.¹  As with previous years, we engaged a third party (Milliman, Inc.)² to provide an independent review of study design and methodology. And our fifth and latest study shows once again that customers with integrated benefits have better health engagement, outcomes, and lower total health care costs.¹

Among the study’s findings was that on average, Cigna’s integrated clients recognized a total medical cost savings of $227 annually per customer.¹ 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.¹ Integrated customers 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.¹

Let’s look at a cancer diagnosis as an example. The study¹ found that through the combination of medical, pharmacy, and behavioral benefits, we're able to identify and engage early – 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 screening, 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.¹ Furthermore, during a customer's treatment journey, we can see across the full spectrum of benefits, which enables us to better support and intervene when needed.

Due to this holistic view, our case managers, specialized oncology pharmacists, and clinicians can see a customer’s full health journey, which helps remove barriers to care. Our team also works one-on-one with customers and their caregiver 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.¹

“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."

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* Based on competitive intelligence findings

1. 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 milliman.com/cignaintegrated-benefits. Individual results will vary; not guaranteed. Average annual per member per year (PMPY) and per patient per year (PPPY).
2. 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. Milliman was engaged by Cigna 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.