Originally published at cigna.com. Cigna ranked No. 42 on The Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list in 2020.
Cigna Medical Group in Arizona is among the first in the country to provide the monoclonal antibody infusion therapy to high-risk COVID-19 patients in a non-hospital setting. This is part of CMG’s ongoing and proactive efforts to support patients and the community with COVID-19 prevention and treatment solutions. CMG has continued to provide testing and has administered over 4,000 COVID-19 vaccines as of mid-February to patients and qualified members of the community through drive-thru vaccine clinics and in its 21 health care centers.
As part of CMG’s efforts to expand access to important treatment options and free up much-needed hospital space and resources, CMG has also proactively partnered with the State of Arizona, the FDA and the Federal COVID-19 Response on a pilot program to acquire and administer a monoclonal antibody therapeutic (Bamlanivimab) as an infusion therapy at its four urgent care centers across Maricopa County.
The program started at CMG’s Phoenix Central location and quickly expanded to its Paseo, Stapley and Sun City urgent care centers, with an initial capacity to provide two infusions a day at each location.
“We are proud to partner with industry and local and federal government leaders on this important step to expand access to this COVID treatment during such a critical time in the ongoing fight against the virus,” said CMG President Matthew Bennett. “As part of the pilot, we will build and share a model for accelerated adoption and use of monoclonal antibody therapy in non-hospital settings across the nation, leveraging the solution developed at CMG.”
Individuals do not have to be a Cigna customer to receive the therapy at CMG. However, a clinical assessment is required to determine if someone is eligible to receive the infusion therapy and patients must be referred by their health care provider. CMG’s urgent care centers are also available on a walk-in basis for clinical assessment.
“Individuals who test positive for COVID-19, are over 18 and are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are eligible to receive the infusion therapy,” said CMG’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin Ellis. “The therapeutic mimics the immune system’s ability to fight off the COVID-19 virus to help reduce and avoid severe illness and hospitalization for high-risk patients that test positive. The infusion should be given within 10 days of the onset of symptoms. Individuals should talk to their provider if they are interested in the therapy and, if they meet the criteria, the provider can refer them for the treatment.”
In addition to the infusion therapy, CMG continues to partner with state and county public health departments, and the local market and health plan partners to ensure customers and members of the broader community have access to FDA-approved vaccines in accordance with state and federal allocation/distribution plans and will continue to administer the vaccine at all its locations as supply is available.
CMG also continues to offer COVID-19 testing, including drive-thru testing; virtual care solutions for safe, convenient visits with primary care and specialty providers; access to behavioral health services, and priority pharmacy delivery service for same day/next day delivery of prescriptions.
Learn more about Cigna Medical Group and its COVID-19 services at Cigna Medical Group.
