History of Cigna in Timeline

The Cigna Group, a multinational managed healthcare and insurance company located in Bloomfield, Connecticut, operates as a for-profit entity. Incorporated in Delaware, Cigna primarily offers medical, dental, disability, life, and accident insurance, along with related services. These offerings are largely channeled through employers and other group affiliations. As a major provider in the insurance sector, Cigna's subsidiaries play a significant role in delivering these healthcare and insurance solutions.

1963: First Liver Transplant

Liver transplants have been performed since 1963.

1982: Formation of Cigna

Cigna was formed in 1982 through the merger of Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CG) and INA Corporation (parent of Insurance Company of North America).

1997: Sale of Life Insurance Operations

In 1997, Cigna sold the majority of its life insurance operations to Lincoln National Corporation.

2002: Allegations of Earnings Manipulation

In 2002, Cigna faced allegations of earnings manipulation, leading to a significant drop in its stock price.

2004: Fair Value Accounting Implementation

In the fourth quarter of 2004, Cigna implemented fair value accounting for stock options in accordance with SFAS No. 123.

February 9, 2005: Adoption of Fair Value Accounting

On February 9, 2005, Cigna adopted fair value accounting for stock options, restating prior periods.

2005: Start of Lobbying Spending

From 2005 to 2009, Cigna spent over $4.4 million on lobbying efforts.

December 2007: Nataline Sarkisyan Case

In December 2007, Cigna refused to pay for a liver transplant for Nataline Sarkisyan, a California teenager, sparking public outcry. Cigna later reversed its decision, but Sarkisyan died awaiting the transplant.

2008: Resignation of Wendell Potter

In 2008, Cigna's head of public relations, Wendell Potter, resigned.

April 16, 2009: Dismissal of Claims

On April 16, 2009, a California court dismissed claims against Cigna related to the Sarkisyan case.

2009: Lobbying Expenditures

In 2009 alone, Cigna spent $720,000 on lobbying, employing 20 lobbyists at five firms.

2009: Gartner & 1to1 Customer Experience Excellence Award

In 2009, Cigna received the gold award for customer experience excellence from Gartner & 1to1.

2009: Whistleblower Testimony

In 2009, Wendell Potter testified before the U.S. Senate in favor of healthcare reform.

January 2010: JD Power Award for Customer Service

Cigna received the JD Power award for customer service for its call centers for the fourth consecutive time in January 2010.

April 16, 2010: Alliance with Humana

On April 16, 2010, Cigna and Humana formed an alliance to offer a streamlined Medicare Advantage program through employer clients for retirees.

October 2011: Acquisition of HealthSpring Inc.

In October 2011, Cigna agreed to acquire HealthSpring Inc. for $3.8 billion to expand its Medicare business.

November 2011: Joint Venture with TTK Group

In November 2011, Cigna and TTK Group formed a joint venture, Cigna TTK, to develop a health insurance business in India, pending government approvals.

2011: High Claim Denial Rate Reported

In 2011, the California Nurses Association reported that Cigna denied approximately 39.6% of all claims, significantly higher than competitors like Aetna.

2013: Cigna's Global Operations

By 2013, Cigna operated in 30 countries, had approximately 35,800 employees, and managed around US$53.734 billion in assets.

June 2015: Anthem's Acquisition Bid

In June 2015, Anthem Inc. announced its intention to acquire Cigna for $47 billion.

July 24, 2015: Anthem and Cigna Merger Agreement

On July 24, 2015, Anthem confirmed a deal to buy Cigna.

2015: Listed as Most Hated Company

In 2015, Cigna was named one of the most hated companies in the U.S. by the American Consumer Satisfaction Index.

July 21, 2016: Justice Department Lawsuit

On July 21, 2016, the US Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit to block the Anthem-Cigna merger.

February 8, 2017: Merger Blocked

On February 8, 2017, a District Court blocked the Anthem-Cigna merger on anticompetitive grounds.

2017: Failed Merger with Anthem

In 2017, a proposed merger between Cigna and Anthem, which would have created the largest U.S. health insurer, failed. Cigna's CEO was accused of sabotaging the deal.

March 7, 2018: Acquisition of Express Scripts

On March 7, 2018, Cigna announced it would acquire Express Scripts for $67 billion.

August 24, 2018: Shareholder Approval

On August 24, 2018, shareholders of Cigna and Express Scripts approved the acquisition deal.

2018: Again Listed as Most Hated Company

In 2018, Cigna was again listed as one of the most hated companies in the U.S. by the ACSI.

June 2020: Strategic Alliance with Priority Health

In June 2020, Cigna formed a strategic alliance with Priority Health to improve affordability and access to healthcare in Michigan.

August 2020: Lawsuit for Medicare Fraud

In August 2020, the Department of Justice sued Cigna for allegedly defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of $1.4 billion.

August 31, 2020: End of Merger Saga

On August 31, 2020, a court decision ended the legal battle between Cigna and Anthem over the failed merger, denying both companies' claims for compensation.

September 2020: Rebranding of Health Services Portfolio

In September 2020, Cigna rebranded its health services portfolio as Evernorth, including Express Scripts, Accredo, and eviCore.

October 2020: Agreement Renewal with Envision Healthcare

In October 2020, Cigna renewed its agreement with Envision Healthcare, keeping Envision's clinicians in-network for Cigna members.

November 2020: Investors Sue Cigna's CEO and Board

In November 2020, investors sued Cigna's CEO and board, alleging the use of "black-ops-style" tactics to disrupt the 2017 merger with Anthem.

2021: Sale of Medicaid Contracts

In 2021, Molina Healthcare acquired Cigna's Medicaid contracts in Texas for US$60 million.

February 13, 2023: Renaming of Holding Company and Business Units

On February 13, 2023, Cigna renamed its holding company to The Cigna Group, its health benefits unit to Cigna Healthcare, and its Evernorth unit to Evernorth Health Services.