CIGNA Honors National Rehabilitation Awareness Week Recognizing Return to Work Champion and Dallas Resident Geri Huntsinger
DALLAS-(Business Wire)-September 24, 2009 - As a nurse accustomed to helping others, Geri Huntsinger never imagined she would need to rely on others for care. In April 2008, Geri was in a motorcycle accident resulting in severe injuries; her next 12 months included several surgeries, difficult physical therapy, and a few challenging setbacks. But during this tough time, she met a vocational rehabilitation counselor from CIGNA’s disability insurance unit (“CIGNA Group Insurance”) who she credits as her “lifeline.”
“When I came home to recover, everything in my life was out of order. I felt like I was starting over,” recalled Geri. “CIGNA was my lifeline to independence and kept my morale up. I spoke with the vocational rehabilitation counselor at least once a week for many months all the way through my return to work. She was my light at the end of the tunnel.”
When Geri was ready to begin return-to-work planning, CIGNA’s vocational rehabilitation counselor worked directly with Geri’s employer, a hospital outside of Dallas, to find the right job based on Geri’s physical limitations.
“Once I completed the physical therapy and felt ready to return to work, I didn’t want to worry about a job and money. I couldn’t perform all the responsibilities of my old job and wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Geri. “CIGNA worked with the hospital and sorted out all the details for a return. Together, they found a position that fit my skills and experience.”
Geri returned to work in May 2009. She was worried about working an eight–hour schedule again, so the hospital allowed her to ease back into a regular work schedule.
“I remember coming home after my first day back. I went right to bed. I was exhausted,” Geri remembered. “I didn’t think I could do it. But I kept going and CIGNA helped me through it. Now, I have my independence back.”
Geri’s success is just one example of how CIGNA helps people overcome a disabling event and return to work. CIGNA Group Insurance, and its affiliate Intracorp, are the national sponsors of National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, celebrated September 20-26.
“It’s incredibly moving and rewarding to help people return to work after a very difficult experience. Getting back to work for many people restores balance in their lives and brings a sense of closure to the recovery process,” said Mark Marsters, senior vice president, CIGNA Group Insurance.
CIGNA’s vocational rehabilitation counselors help people on long-term disability return to work. Every person’s return-to-work path is different and a vocational rehabilitation counselor’s role may include helping the employee’s company create alternate job arrangements or simply identify workplace accommodations such as ergonomic equipment. Counselors may also help the employee find work in another career field, if the employee is unable to return to work at their previous position. All vocational rehabilitation counselors have a Master’s degree and hold the credential of Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
Next week, Geri will be visiting the disability claims office in Dallas to share her story with CIGNA employees at one of the many employee and customer gatherings CIGNA will host across the country. Through these events, CIGNA will spotlight how vocational rehabilitation programs help people return to work.
As for Geri’s next goal, “I used to dance every week. I wondered if I would ever dance again. Maybe I’ll do that next. Now, I just need to find some comfortable shoes,” she said.
CIGNA sponsors National Rehabilitation Awareness Week. For more information about this weeklong observance, visit http://www.nraf-rehabnet.org/. For more information about the value of disability insurance, visit http://www.cigna.com/diam.
About CIGNA
CIGNA (NYSE:CI), a global health service company, is dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of 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 approximately 46 million people throughout the United States and around the world.
“CIGNA,” “CIGNA Group Insurance” and the “Tree of Life” logo are registered service marks of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA Corporation and its operating subsidiaries. All products and services are provided exclusively by such operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation. Such operating subsidiaries include Life Insurance Company of North America, CIGNA Life Insurance Company of New York, and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company.
“Intracorp” is a registered service mark of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA Corporation and its operating subsidiaries. Such operating subsidiaries include International Rehabilitation Associates, Inc., a Delaware corporation, doing business as “Intracorp.” Intracorp is not an insurance company. Intracorp offers a comprehensive array of disability management and workers’ compensation products and services designed to optimize health outcomes and facilitate timely returns to work.
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.
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