CLAYMONT, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two medical groups in Hong Kong and Singapore are the first to sign up for CIGNA Envoy^®, CIGNA International’s secure web portal for health care professionals around the world. Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS) of Hong Kong along with ParkwayHealth and its administration unit, iXchange, of Singapore are now using CIGNA Envoy’s advanced web tools.

The website makes it easier for doctors, hospitals, and clinics to serve expatriate patients by eliminating the need to call CIGNA to verify a patient's coverage, with all information available instantly and securely. “The website will be very useful since I won’t need to call the U.S. for information. This is much more convenient,” said Murni Ismail, benefits administrator for ParkwayHealth.

“Normally it takes time to call and obtain the patient's information, but the new website will cut that waiting time down to three to five minutes. We can help patients quickly and check back whenever we need to,” said Benjamin Ng, QHMS customer service representative.

CIGNA conducted multiple usability studies with QHMS and ParkwayHealth so that future enhancements to the website will further streamline the process for medical professionals who treat expatriates with CIGNA coverage.

CIGNA Envoy simplifies access to care around the globe, providing health care professionals with instant coverage details and benefits so they can quickly provide patient care. Through the website, doctors and hospitals can also provide payment information to patients at the time of service. CIGNA is among the first global health companies to bring this service and convenience to those who provide care around the world.

"We value our relationship with our contracted health care facilities and offer as many tools as possible to make their relationship with us as beneficial as possible," said Cindy Gatanis, who leads CIGNA's international contracting.

To view an informational video about CIGNA Envoy, visit http://www.cignaexpats.com/envoyvideo/.

About CIGNA International’s Expatriate Benefits (CIEB)

CIEB, a business unit of CIGNA International, is a leading provider of international benefits for expatriates, business travelers, and retirees abroad. CIGNA International provides coverage for expatriates in more than 170 countries and jurisdictions around the world. As one of the first expatriate benefit carriers on the international scene more than 30 years ago, CIGNA International offers experience and multinational presence to meet the daily challenges that international employers, employees and their families face.

About CIGNA

CIGNA (NYSE:CI), a global health service company, is dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and security. CIGNA Corporation's operating subsidiaries provide an integrated suite of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, as well as group life, accident and disability insurance, to more than 46 million people throughout the United States and around the world. To learn more about CIGNA, visit www.cigna.com. To sign up for email alerts or an RSS feed of company news log on to http://newsroom.cigna.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=18.