Cigna broadens its on-site services with Kronos acquisition

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. —Cigna is expanding its on-site health capabilities by acquiring Kronos Optimal Health—a move that demonstrates the importance of employer-based health care.

Kronos, which has served as a vendor for Cigna for several years, is a Phoenix-based health-and-wellness company that specializes in lifestyle management programs, face-to-face coaching, biometric screenings and health education programs. With a contracted network of about 13,000 health coaches, health educators and screeners across the United States, Kronos will support Cigna’s on-site programs, as well as provide health management services to existing clients.

Cigna Onsite Health offers full-service on-site clinics, pharmacy services, one-on-one health coaching, biometric screenings and flu shots, and on-site/online health improvement programs delivered in a classroom setting, as well as employee assistance programs. It is led by a management team experienced in operating multi-specialty group practices, urgent care centers, pharmacies, laboratory services and convenient care clinics.

A recent report by Watson Wyatt and the National Business Group on Health stated that 72% of employers already have enhanced their on-site offerings with programs geared toward stress management, EAPs or health coaches, or expect to do so in the next 12 months. The report also found that companies with effective health and productivity programs are more likely to have lower healthcare costs, lower levels of absenteeism, fewer lost days due to disabilities and lower levels of turnover relative to their industry peers.