Cigna Health Services Business Pioneers an Innovative Solution to Affordably Bring Life-Changing Therapies to Patients
September 05 2019 - 07:00AM
Business Wire
- New solution combines Express Scripts, eviCore, Accredo and
CuraScript SD expertise to improve care, access and affordability
for potentially life-changing medicines.
- Consumers who are covered will have no out of pocket payment
related to cost of the medication.
- Organizations that enroll will be protected from the price
shock of high-priced medicines.
Breakthrough, potentially life-changing medicines offer great
promise for patients and their families. However, the high prices
of the medicines – millions of dollars in some cases – threaten
coverage and access by patients who may benefit.
Today, Cigna’s health services business is introducing Embarc
Benefit ProtectionSM, a new offering that brings together the
health services, medical management and specialty pharmacy
expertise of Express Scripts, eviCore, Accredo and CuraScript SD to
make breakthrough medicines more affordable and ensure access for
those who need it.
Consumers will have no out of pocket payments related to the
cost of the medicine and will receive personalized and expert care
to assist them through their health journey.
Those who provide health coverage for millions of Americans,
such as employers, health plans and unions, will have the peace of
mind that comes from being better protected against the high price
shocks associated with new breakthrough therapies.
Luxturna™ (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl), the first FDA-approved
prescription gene therapy for people with inherited retinal
disease, and Zolgensma® (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi), a gene
therapy for children under 2 years old with spinal muscular
atrophy, will be the first two therapies included in the Embarc
Benefit Protection solution. Additional therapies may be added in
the future.
“We will deliver better care, affordability and access through
this solution. Expensive therapies for rare diseases pose a new
challenge for America’s healthcare system, and this challenge will
grow as more therapies are approved by the FDA,” said Steve Miller,
M.D., Cigna's Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer.
“We are leveraging our collective capabilities to deliver on the
true promise of modern medicine. No cure should be out of reach of
any patient, and they should receive the best quality care.”
“This is a great example of what our combined company can do now
for our clients and patients,” said Tim Wentworth, President,
Express Scripts and Cigna Services. “Harnessing our vast array of
capabilities and resources allows us to innovate in a way that
brings health care services and solutions to the marketplace that
are more affordable, and make a positive difference in the lives of
our customers. Embarc Benefit Protection honors the mission of our
colleagues around the world who focus every day on improving the
health, well-being and peace of mind for those we serve.”
By 2024, the cost of gene therapies is expected to reach more
than $16 billion in the United States, according to EvaluatePharma.
The Embarc Benefit Protection solution will address a critical need
facing the entire health care system. Embarc Benefit Protection is
the latest of the company’s leading consumer-centric innovations,
which include recent advances like our Patient Assurance ProgramSM
(which caps out of pocket spend on insulin to $25) and our Digital
Health Formulary (which will help people make better choices among
the 300,000 healthcare apps available today).
“All of us want innovative treatments for devastating
conditions, but at an efficient affordable price,” said Gene H.
Price, Administrator, Carpenters Health and Welfare Trust for
California. “Providing our participants and dependents with access
to these therapies, without sacrificing their own financial
security, provides them with hope for long term health and positive
life changing outcomes. Cigna now offers health plans, like our
Health and Welfare Fund, a solution that will promote coverage of
powerful new therapies, shield patients and families from the
extreme cost, and allow families to hope for a cure and a brighter
future.”
“Working with Cigna, especially at a time when we are growing
rapidly, is one of the best choices we have made,” said Don
Beckwith, Senior Vice President – Finance & Administration,
ebm-papst Inc. “The personal service, the deep understanding of our
business, and an ability to look ahead to adjust as we grow -- all
of these attributes are what Cigna brings to the table and puts our
business, and our employees, in a position to succeed. As a growing
business, we benefit greatly from Cigna’s flexibility and
focus.”
For more information about how Embarc Benefit Protection works,
please visit www.express-scripts.com/corporate.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company
dedicated to improving the health, well-being and peace of mind of
those we serve. Cigna delivers choice, predictability,
affordability and access to quality care through integrated
capabilities and connected, personalized solutions that advance
whole person health. All products and services are provided
exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna
Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company,
Life Insurance Company of North America, Cigna Life Insurance
Company of New York, Express Scripts companies or their
affiliates.
Such products and services include an integrated suite of health
services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy,
vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including
group life, accident and disability insurance.
Cigna maintains sales capability in over 30 countries and
jurisdictions, and has 165 million customer relationships
worldwide. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us
on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190905005247/en/
Jennifer Luddy (201) 269-6402
jennifer_luddy@express-scripts.com
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