Staff Report
Published Aug. 7, 2012

Roper St. Francis Healthcare is once again part of the Cigna network after the two companies reached an agreement on a new contract after months of negotiations.

The contract takes effect Aug. 15. Cigna customers who receive services from Roper physicians will be covered at the in-network benefit level, according to their plans.

“We are pleased to renew our long-standing relationship with Roper St. Francis Healthcare and to once again offer our customers in-network access to this group of system-employed physicians,” said Charles Pitts, president and general manager for Cigna in the Carolinas. “At Cigna, we work to provide our customers with access to a broad network of high-quality health care professionals while also balancing our clients’ and customers’ needs to manage costs.

“We believe we have achieved both goals under our agreement,” he added.

The agreement allows Cigna customers in the Charleston area to choose from among 200 board-certified physicians employed by Roper.

Negotiations on the new contract had been ongoing since earlier this year when the previous agreement expired Feb. 1.

David Dunlap, president and CEO of Roper St. Francis Healthcare, said he was thankful for the patience of Cigna customers during the negotiation process.

“We look forward to continuing to serve the health care needs of Cigna customers in our community and to working with Cigna for many years to come,” he said.