Cigna and Achilles International are joining together in a collaboration to give Cigna's selected long-term disability customers access to Achilles programs, including individual coaching, personal training, a community of support and an opportunity to participate in activities with other Achilles athletes, the companies reported.

"Achilles International and Cigna have a shared mission of helping people with disabilities return to health and productivity," said Megan Wynne Lombardo, director of development for Achilles International. "We've seen that exercise and achievement have truly transformational powers. Working together with Cigna, we can help unleash the potential possessed by people of all abilities."

As part of the program, the companies said that Cigna vocational rehabilitation counselors will identify Cigna customers currently on disability leave who might benefit from this program and refer them to Achilles. The program will initially target customers with mental disability, post-traumatic stress disorder (also known as PTSD), anxiety, depression, physical injury, loss of mobility, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. It will provide customers with access to resources and colleagues that can help build both their physical capabilities and mental confidence. By combining both physical and mental health services, Cigna believes it can help customers return to health, work and productivity faster.

"As a guide for Achilles athletes, I'm constantly reminded what people can accomplish when they have the right tools and a mindset to achieve a goal," said Mark Marsters, senior vice president for the disability insurance business. Marsters guided blind Achilles athlete Bruce Stoddard at the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in January.

"Disability insurance provides much more than simply paying out benefits when a person can't work," Marsters said. "It also provides important services to help people return to health, and to work, as quickly and safely as possible. Together with Achilles, we are working to help our customers who are on disability leave achieve better health."

Achilles International's mission is to bring hope, inspiration and the joy of achievement to people with disabilities by helping them set goals, and achieve and make long-term improvements to their health and fitness.

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