CIGNA Celebrates Successful Return to Work Champions; Sponsors National Rehabilitation Awareness Week

Business Wire, Sept 22, 2008

PHILADELPHIA -- With three young children, Maria Buonarati felt lucky to have a job that allowed her to work from home full-time. As a program coordinator for a technology company, she was able to do most of her work by phone and computer. It was the ideal work arrangement for Buonarati, until she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36.

After undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to treat her cancer, Buonarati still wanted to work, but could not be at her computer for more than 15 minutes at a time. Knowing that Buonarati was interested in returning to work, her CIGNA disability claim manager consulted with one of the company's vocational rehabilitation counselors. The CIGNA counselor contacted Buonarati to let her know about all the return-to-work services available with the CIGNA disability coverage she had at work. It was through this outreach that Buonarati learned about voice-activated software that she could use to continue working.

"I had no idea that something like this even existed," said Buonarati. "It was important to me to continue working, but I was so physically exhausted from all of the treatments I couldn't even type at my computer for very long."

When Buonarati expressed interest in the software, the CIGNA vocational rehabilitation counselor gained agreement from her employer and arranged for a consultant to train Buonarati in using the software so that she could return to work.

"The training was awesome," said Buonarati. "I was really impressed that CIGNA provided such a creative alternative to help me maintain my job. The entire process was completely seamless. The interaction between my claim manager, my rehab counselor, my employer and the trainer was what really made this all possible." As a result, Buonarati's physician agreed to allow her to return-to-work on a part-time basis for three months before going back full time.

Buonarati's return-to-work success is just one example of how CIGNA helps people find fulfilling work after facing a disability. CIGNA Group Insurance, and sister company Intracorp, are the national sponsors of National Rehabilitation Week, celebrated from Sept. 21-28, in cooperation with the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation (NRAF) of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Throughout this week, CIGNA will host employee and customer gatherings in its disability claim offices in Pittsburgh, Dallas and Glendale, California. Through these events, CIGNA will spotlight how vocational rehabilitation programs help people return to productivity.

CIGNA is also recognizing employers, including University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), H. E. Butt Grocery Company headquartered in San Antonio and Battelle Energy Alliance LLC headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, for their success in implementing return-to-work programs for their employees. In addition, others like Buonarati who have successfully returned to work with the help of CIGNA's vocational rehabilitation services will be visiting CIGNA disability claim offices to share their stories.

"When people are faced with a disability, their world is often turned upside down," said Mark Marsters, senior vice president, CIGNA Group Insurance. "CIGNA's rehabilitation counseling services are available to anyone who is faced with going out of work on disability. We recognize that every disability is unique and our goal is to empower people through one-on-one support to help them successfully make a smooth transition back into the workforce when the time is right."

CIGNA's vocational rehabilitation counselors provide a variety of services including helping to establish return-to-work goals, assessing modified or alternative work options, and reducing perceived return-to-work barriers. "Once CIGNA determines a person's eligibility for these services, we can offer solutions that guide you in the direction of rebuilding your life and career," said Marsters.

For more information on National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, visit the NRAF website at http://www.nraf-rehabnet.org/. For more information about the value of disability insurance, visit http://www.cigna.com/diam.> CIGNA (NYSE: CI) provides employers with benefits, expertise and services that improve the health, well-being and security of their employees. With approximately 47 million covered lives in the United States and around the world, CIGNA's operating subsidiaries offer a full portfolio of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits and group life, accident and disability insurance. For more information, visit www.cigna.com. "CIGNA," the "Tree of Life" logo and "CIGNA Group Insurance" are registered service marks of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA Corporation and its operating subsidiaries, including Life Insurance Company of North America, CIGNA Life Insurance Company of New York, and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. All insurance products are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation.