CIGNA HealthCare Adds Investment Options to Health Savings Accounts; Integrated Offering Will now Allow Participants to Invest in up to Six Mutual Funds
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., June 14, 2005 - As employer and consumer adoption of health savings accounts (HSAs) grows and more consumers have access to the tax-advantaged savings account features the plans provide, CIGNA HealthCare is adding six mutual fund investment options to its CIGNA Choice Fund(SM) HSA to help HSA members seek to achieve their saving goals. Beginning on January 1, 2006, CIGNA Choice Fund HSA participants will have the option to invest the money in their health savings account in up to six mutual funds from leading firms including JPMorgan Funds, T. Rowe Price and Royce Funds, representing a broad array of investment options.
The addition of mutual funds represents the latest enhancement to CIGNA's leading consumer-driven health plan portfolio. The CIGNA Choice Fund(SM) HSA is an integrated benefits plan that combines a tax-advantaged savings account with a high-deductible health plan and financial management features, such as a debit card and checkbook, and now mutual funds.
"CIGNA HealthCare is working to provide members with the most innovative, comprehensive and user-friendly HSA offering in the market," said Tom Richards, CIGNA HealthCare's senior vice president of product. "The addition of mutual funds provides participants with more flexibility and choices as they seek to grow their savings in these accounts."
Consumers have expressed an interest in investment options linked to a savings account for health care. According to research conducted by CIGNA HealthCare last year, 65 percent of those surveyed said they would find the opportunity to invest the money in the account appealing. Through JPMorgan Institutional Investments Inc., a registered broker-dealer, member NASD/SIPC, eligible CIGNA Choice Fund(SM) HSA participants will be able to invest in the following mutual funds:
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JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund (Ticker: VMVXX) -- A fund aimed at maintaining liquidity and preserving capital.
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JPMorgan Investor Balanced Fund (Ticker: OGIAX) -- A fund aimed at preservation of capital by investing primarily in a diversified group of mutual funds.
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JPMorgan Ultra Short Term Bond Fund (Ticker: ONUAX) -- This fund seeks a high level of current income consistent with low volatility of principal.
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JPMorgan Equity Index Fund (Ticker: HLEIX) -- A fund that seeks investment results that correspond to the aggregate price and dividend performance of securities in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index (S& P 500 Index).
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Royce Premier Fund (Ticker: RYPRX) -- A small cap stock fund that seeks long-term growth of capital.
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T. Rowe Price International Growth & Income Fund (Ticker: TRIGX) -- This fund's objective is long-term growth of capital and reasonable income through investments primarily in stocks of mature, dividend-paying, non-U.S. companies.
The available cash balances in a participant's HSA cash account determine eligibility. Mutual fund investment options will be available to participants with balances greater than $2,000.
"Health Savings Accounts are rapidly becoming an important tool to help people save for future medical expenses," said John Prince, senior vice president and health care business development head for the Treasury Services unit of JPMorgan Chase. "We are pleased to join with CIGNA HealthCare to offer CIGNA HSA members a diverse slate of mutual funds to invest in as they consider how to grow their savings."
In addition to the new investment options, members will continue to benefit from the unique integrated and seamless consumer experience of the CIGNA Choice Fund(SM) HSA. Members can contact a single customer service center for answers to questions related to their CIGNA benefit plan coverage and interest bearing savings account, as well as access JPMorgan Institutional Investments, Inc. registered representatives who can answer questions about investment options and assist them with transactions in their investment account. Members can also visit mycigna.com to answer questions on the Choice Fund(SM) HSA.
In addition, CIGNA Choice Fund(SM) HSA participants can choose to integrate claims payment from their high-deductible plan with their tax- advantaged savings account. With this feature, called automatic claim forwarding, claims are adjudicated through the CIGNA health benefits plan and paid according to the plan coverage. Any remaining member liability -- such as deductible or coinsurance -- is automatically deducted from his or her savings account. Participants do not need to pay bills separately or arrange for transfers from the savings account to their health care provider.
The CIGNA Choice Fund(SM) HSA includes a broad array of award-winning consumer decision support tools that encourage consumers to make informed decisions about their health care, help them track account balances online and help them plan for future health care needs. CIGNA HealthCare's extensive provider network and medical management programs are also key features of the plan, providing members access to industry-leading clinical resources for managing chronic conditions and accessing preventive care. By engaging consumers in their health care CIGNA can reduce costs for consumers and their employers and help employees live healthier, more productive lives.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $1.2 trillion and operations in more than 50 countries. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and businesses, financial transaction processing, asset and wealth management, and private equity. The Treasury Services ( http://www.jpmorganchase.com/ts ) business of JPMorgan Chase is a top-ranked, full-service provider of innovative payment, collection, liquidity and investment management, trade finance, commercial card and information solutions to corporations, financial services institutions, middle market companies, small businesses, governments and municipalities worldwide. With more than 50,000 clients and a presence in 36 countries, JPMorgan Treasury Services is the world's largest provider of treasury management services. Information about the firm is available at http://www.jpmorganchase.com/ .
CIGNA HealthCare, headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, provides medical benefits plans, dental coverage, behavioral health coverage, pharmacy benefits, and products and services that integrate and analyze information to support consumerism and health management. "CIGNA" or "CIGNA HealthCare" refers to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI). Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation.
The CIGNA Choice Fund HSA Savings Account is provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Cash is deposited with and securities are custodied at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Mutual funds are introduced by and HSA Investment Accounts are provided by J.P. Morgan Institutional Investments Inc., member NASD and SIPC, a broker dealer subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Mutual funds are not FDIC-insured, not bank guaranteed and may lose value.
Contact:
Amy Turkington of CIGNA HealthCare
1-860-226-3489
[email protected]
http://www.cigna.com/
or
John Johmann of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
1-212-552-9377
[email protected]
http://www.jpmorganchase.com/
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