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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OLDWICK, N.J. - FEBRUARY 14, 2013 12:00 AM (EST)
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the issuer credit rating (ICR) of "bbb" and debt ratings of Cigna Corporation (Cigna) (Philadelphia, PA) [NYSE: CI]. Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and ICRs of a of the key life/health subsidiaries of Cigna, as well as its medical health maintenance organizations (HMO) and dental HMO subsidiaries. Additionally, A.M. Best has assigned an FSR of A- (Excellent) and ICRs of a- to the HealthSpring subsidiaries that were acquired by Cigna in January 2012.
A.M. Best also has affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and ICRs of a- of three of the Cigna supplemental benefit companies, and upgraded the FSR to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good) and ICR to a- from bbb of American Retirement Life Insurance Company (American Retirement Life) (Austin, TX). The outlook for all the above ratings is stable. (See link below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)
In addition, A.M. Best has withdrawn the FSR of A (Excellent) and ICR of a of Cigna Arbor Life Insurance Company (Cigna Arbor) (Bloomfield, CT). Cigna Arbors role as reinsurer of Connecticut General Life Insurance Companys (CGLIC) run off Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit and Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit business will be discontinued following CGLICs agreement to reinsure the run-off business to Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska.
The rating affirmations reflect Cignas strong financial performance and growing business diversification. Cignas health, life and disability insurance entities have reported consistently strong earnings with return on revenues typically exceeding 5%. The acquisitions of HealthSpring and Great Americans supplemental business helped Cigna to further diversify its product portfolio and achieve an established position within the senior health care market, reducing its concentration in health care administrative service only (ASO) type contracts. A.M. Best believes Cigna is well positioned for future earnings growth, as the organization has been implementing various cost control tools in its health care segment, including expanding accountable care organizations with providers. Furthermore, the organization has growing international operations in both its Asian and European domiciled subsidiaries.
Moreover, A.M. Best views favorably Cigna's reinsurance agreement with Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska, as it eliminates potential earnings volatility related to run-off variable annuities business and allows Cigna to focus resources on its core segments.
Partially offsetting these strengths are the declining margins in Cignas health care and disability segments. Cignas earnings and revenues remain strong with significant growth year over year largely due to the HealthSpring acquisition. However, overall margins have declined due in part to the added volume of Medicare Advantage business, which typically has a higher loss ratio than commercial business. In addition, the increased financial leverage at the holding company, which declined slightly in 2012 to approximately 34% from 37% a year earlier, might place pressure on the operating companies capital levels.
The ratings of the HealthSpring subsidiaries reflect its trend in membership growth, strong earnings and the strategic role of the Medicare Advantage product and HealthSpring business model for the Cigna organization. The consolidated HealthSpring subsidiaries have had consistent membership growth in both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, Part D, over the past few years. Earnings have been solid with return on revenues in the 3%-4% range. Additionally, the HealthSpring subsidiaries provide Cigna with an entrance into the Medicare Advantage segment as well as the HealthSpring organizations knowledge and experience with collaborative care provider relationships.
Key rating drivers that may lead to positive rating actions on the ratings of Cigna and its subsidiaries include stability of earnings, enhanced risk-adjusted capital at the operating subsidiaries and a reduction in financial leverage. Key rating drivers that may lead to negative rating actions include a further increase in financial leverage beyond A.M. Best's expectation; deterioration in interest coverage; a decline in risk-adjusted capital at Cigna's lead operating entity, CGLIC; a significant weakening of operating performance; or material impairments within the investment portfolio.
For a complete list of Cigna Corporation and its subsidiaries FSRs, ICRs and debt ratings, please see Cigna Corporation.
The methodology used in determining these ratings is Bests Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Bests rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Bests Credit Rating Methodology can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.
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