Convenient health care just became a little easier to access for CIGNA HealthCare members in Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Arizona and Tennessee, as the company added The Little Clinic health care centers to its network, effective January 1, 2008.
“From the parent running from activity to activity to the working adult who has to cram a visit for minor illness care into a lunch hour, retail clinics offer the convenience and quality our members want,” said Dick Salmon, M.D., CIGNA medical officer. “The Little Clinic is an affordable and efficient option for members with a minor illness.”
The Little Clinic is located in certain Kroger and Publix stores and is open seven days a week, with evening and weekend hours. Members who visit The Little Clinic can receive immunizations, as well as care for a range of common ailments, from influenza or bronchitis and ear and sinus infections, to seasonal allergies, swimmers ear, and skin conditions such as poison ivy, without an appointment. Most visits are completed in less than a half hour.
The Little Clinic claims are processed at the same benefit level as a primary care physician (PCP) office visit. For example, if a CIGNA member’s coinsurance for a PCP visit is 20 percent and the cost of the service is $60, the member out-of-pocket cost for a typical visit to a Little Clinic would be approximately $12.
The Little Clinic encourages all patients to have a “health care home,” a health care provider they see routinely for ongoing medical needs and routine exams. If patients do not have such a provider, The Little Clinic practitioners can refer them to a local physician accepting CIGNA members. Information about a patient’s care at The Little Clinic can be shared with a person’s primary care physician.
“Many of our patients are CIGNA members,” said Dr. Tunde Sotunde, chief medical officer of The Little Clinic. “We’re pleased that we can now offer them access to our affordable, convenient, quality care under their health plans.”
CIGNA HealthCare was among the first health services companies to include retail clinics into its network, announcing the addition of MinuteClinic, Inc. RediClinic, Take Care Health Systems and CIGNA Medical Group's CMG CareToday clinics over the past two years. The addition of The Little Clinic to the CIGNA network of providers underscores the company’s commitment to expanding a broad suite of consumer-focused products and services designed to help members achieve their personal health goals.
About CIGNA HealthCare
CIGNA HealthCare, based in Bloomfield, Conn., 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 advocacy. "CIGNA HealthCare" and the “Tree of Life” logo are registered service marks of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI) and its operating subsidiaries, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. Products and services are provided by such operating subsidiaries, and not by CIGNA Corporation. For more information, visit www.cigna.com.
About The Little Clinic
Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn., The Little Clinic is a pioneer in customer-focused healthcare with a mission to provide convenient, affordable health care and wellness education. The Little Clinic health care centers are currently located in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. For more information, visit www.thelittleclinic.com.