LAKE FOREST, Calif., Oct. 24, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Apria Healthcare Group Inc. (NYSE:AHG) announced today that CIGNA HealthCare (NYSE:CI) has selected Apria to be its national preferred provider of home oxygen, respiratory equipment and services, home medical equipment and enteral nutrition, beginning on February 1, 2006. With over nine million covered lives nationwide, CIGNA HealthCare is among America's largest health plan.
"We are very pleased that CIGNA HealthCare chose Apria Healthcare to provide comprehensive homecare services and equipment to its members," said Lawrence M. Higby, chief executive officer. "We served CIGNA HealthCare members under a subcontracting arrangement prior to 2004, and welcome the opportunity to directly contract with the plan. Our mutual goals include improving utilization management, maximizing electronic connectivity between the two organizations, thereby reducing both organizations' overhead costs and enhancing the overall quality of care delivered to members who require these services by consolidating that care under a single provider."
The agreement calls for a transition period in the early part of 2006, in which all current members receiving the contracted services will transition to Apria's service. Simultaneously, all newly-diagnosed patients requiring the contracted services will be referred to Apria for service.
CIGNA HealthCare, headquartered in Bloomfield, CT, provides medical benefits plans, dental coverage, behavioral health coverage, pharmacy benefits and products and services that integrate and analyze information to support consumerism and health management. "CIGNA HealthCare" refers to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI). Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation.
Apria provides home respiratory therapy, home infusion therapy and home medical equipment through 500 branches serving patients in 50 states. With $1.5 billion in annual revenues, it is the nation's leading homecare company.
This release may contain statements regarding anticipated future developments that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Results may differ materially as a result of the risk factors included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other factors over which the Company has no control.