News in brief - Jan. 3/10, 2005

CIGNA settles payment lawsuit - Musicians and singers wanted for VA music group

CIGNA settles payment lawsuit

Specialty health care professionals and CIGNA HealthCare in December 2004 settled a class-action lawsuit that accused the health plan of improperly paying those health care professionals. The case is similar to the one physicians settled with the company in 2003.

The agreement, which still needs final approval from the court, would apply to chiropractors, psychologists, counselors, podiatrists, acupuncturists, optometrists, physical and occupational therapists, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nutritionists, audiologists and others. CIGNA expects to mail an announcement to at least 210,000 health care professionals.

Among other things, CIGNA established a fund of more than $11.5 million to compensate health professionals based on the volume of claims submitted over the past 15 years; enhanced its claims processing and adjudication systems; and posted detailed information about claim coding policies, fee schedules and other payment guidelines on the Internet.

Musicians and singers wanted for VA music group

The VA-National Medical Musical Group is recruiting new members for its symphony orchestra and chorus. The group is open to physicians, dentists, nurses and other health professionals, both VA and non-VA, as well as families and friends.

For more information, either call 202-797-0700, send an e-mail (vanmmg@hotmail.com) or visit the group's Web site (www.medicalmusical.com).