Saint Thomas connects with Cigna exchange plan

Executives with Saint Thomas Health and Cigna late last week said they have reached an agreement that will keep the Saint Thomas network an option for those buying insurance through the Obamacare exchange.

The late-hour deal comes a little more than a month after BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee officials said they will not offer marketplace plans in 2017 for residents of Tennessee’s three largest metro areas, saying they needed to limit their losses from those products. Patients wishing to stay with the Saint Thomas system, which includes physician group Saint Thomas Medical Partners, will be able to select the Cigna Connect option during the open enrollment period that starts Tuesday.