Cigna 2009 Annual Report Download - page 36

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16
Industry Developments and Strategic Initiatives
The group insurance market remains highly competitive as the rising cost of providing medical coverage to employees has forced
companies to re-evaluate their overall employee benefit spending. Demographic shifts have further driven demand for products and
services that are sufficiently flexible to meet the evolving needs of employers and employees who want innovative, cost-effective
solutions to their insurance needs. Employers continue to shift towards greater employee participatory coverage and voluntary
purchases.
Employers are also expressing a growing interest in employee wellness, absence management and productivity and recognizing a
strong link between health, productivity and their profitability. CIGNA is well-positioned to offer employers programs that promote a
healthy lifestyle, offer assistance in returning to work and integrate health care and disability programs. CIGNA believes it is well
positioned to deliver integrated solutions that address these broad employer and employee needs. CIGNA also believes that its strong
disability management portfolio and fully integrated programs provide employers and employees tools to improve health status. This
focus on managing the employee’s total absence enables CIGNA to increase the number and likelihood of interventions and minimize
disabling events.
The disability industry is under continuing review by regulators and legislators with respect to its offset practices regarding Social
Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”). The Company has received one Congressional inquiry and has responded to the information
request. Also, at least one state has considered legislation that would restrict the use of such offset provisions in disability policies.
The Company is also involved in related pending civil litigation. If the industry is forced to change its offset SSDI procedures, the
practices and products for this segment could be significantly impacted.