Global Connections Newsletter

CIGNA Expands Dental Network In the U.S.

The CIGNA Dental Network is growing. In 2009, individuals with dental coverage through CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits will have access to the new and expanded CIGNA Dental Network. Throughout 2009, CIGNA will continually recruit additional dentists to further expand our network.

The new network is a combination of multiple CIGNA Dental networks but will include a large quantity of new dentists in areas where there were few. Growth is projected at a 38 percent increase in the size of the network that individuals with CIEB coverage currently access. Dentists in the current network will remain.

Not only will CIEB members in the United States have greater choice when selecting their dentist, but the new network will maximize CIEB clients' net effective discount.

CIGNA International's Shirley Puccino Named to the National Foreign Trade Council Board

Shirley Puccino, Vice President of CIGNA International Health Strategies and Marketing, was named to the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Board of Directors at the NFTC elections.

The NFTC, formed in 1914, is the oldest organization in the United States promoting free trade. The organization has more than 300 members, predominantly large U.S. multinational companies and some subsidiaries of European and Asian multinationals. The NFTC is the only national business organization that exclusively advocates the international and public policy priorities of its members. From international trade, investment, tax, and export finance to human resource management, the NFTC's services and advocacy are a critical link for U.S. companies.

'I am very pleased to join the NFTC leadership as we address the health care and benefit needs of expatriates and other globally mobile employees. CIGNA and the NFTC have a long and proud history together,' Puccino said. CIGNA has been a NFTC human resource member since 1990, and an NFTC Board member since 2002. CIGNA also sponsors several NFTC conferences on expatriate issues each year.

Helping Your Expatriates Prepare for Their International Assignment

Regardless of where your company sends expatriates, there are a few tried-and-true measures that you can share with them about pre-departure planning. Medical needs and illnesses are often overlooked until there is an accident or someone becomes sick, but when traveling abroad, it is important for expatriates to plan ahead of time. We encourage you to share some of these tips with your expatriates:

Locate a physician prior to leaving for assignment. To avoid stress and frustration while abroad, it is important to have an address or phone number for a local doctor before becoming ill. It's also essential for expatriates to know where the closest hospital is in case of a medical emergency or accident. CIEB members are encouraged to call the International Service Center (1.800.441.2668, or collect 302.797.3100) or visit www.CIGNAenvoy.com to access CIEB's International Provider Directory to locate a physician before their assignment.
Address special needs during the pre-departure stages. Families covered by CIEB who have children with special needs or an individual with a chronic condition should call the International Service Center ' the CIEB Clinical Team can help minimize the disruption to medical management efforts during the transition.
Obtain all immunizations. Have your expatriates visit the World Health Organization Vaccine webpage to find specific information regarding immunizations by region, country, or continent. Make sure they check the neighboring countries that they may travel to or visit while on assignment.
Arrange for a supply of medications. The availability of certain medications can be unpredictable depending on where expatriates are on assignment, so it is important to obtain an adequate supply of prescription and over the counter medications before they leave on assignment.

There are also steps soon-to-be expatriates can take to ease cultural transition. Through www.CIGNAenvoy.com, covered individuals may access Country Guides, which provide detailed practical and cultural details for nearly 200 locations. Working with a relocation specialist and learning language basics are other measures expatriates can take to prepare.

Overall, the most significant advice you can give to your soon-to-be expatriates is to anticipate. Pre-departure preparation can make living away from home much easier.

DISCLAIMER: 'CIGNA' refers to any one of the underwriting companies owned directly or indirectly by CIGNA Corporation and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Products and services are provided by these subsidiaries, affiliates and other contracted companies and not by CIGNA Corporation. 'CIGNA' is a registered service mark. 'CIGNA International,' 'CIGNA International HealthCare Benefits,' and 'CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits' are also service marks.

This is not a contract. This announcement is for informational purposes only. The information provided herein is believed accurate as of the date of publication, and is subject to change. Products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions and are expressly excluded where prohibited by applicable law. For the full details of any product offering, please contact your CIEB Sales or Client Management representative.

CIEB's web-based tools, such as CIGNA Envoy^SM, are available for informational purposes only. They do not constitute medical advice. CIEB's web tools are not intended to be a substitute for proper medical care provided by a physician and not intended as a means for self-diagnosis. CIGNA Envoy is a service mark of CIGNA Corporation.

Any reference to other organizations or companies and/or their products or services, including their Internet sites, is not an endorsement or warranty of the services, information, or products provided by them, nor should a reference to other organizations be construed as their endorsement or warranty of CIEB's products or services. All trademarks (registered and unregistered) and service marks are the property of their respective owners.