Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation [Text Block]

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

Cigna Corporation was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1981. Various businesses that are described in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 (“2012 Form 10-K”) are conducted by its insurance and other subsidiaries. As used in this document, “Cigna”, the “Company”, “we” and “our” may refer to Cigna Corporation itself, one or more of its subsidiaries, or Cigna Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cigna Corporation and its significant subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. These Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  

The Company is a global health services organization with a mission to help its customers improve their health, well-being and sense of security. Its insurance subsidiaries are major providers of medical, dental, disability, life and accident insurance and related products and services, the majority of which are offered through employers and other groups (e.g. governmental and non‐governmental organizations, unions and associations). Cigna also offers Medicare and Medicaid products and health, life and accident insurance coverages primarily to individuals in the U.S. and selected international markets. In addition to its ongoing operations described above, the Company also has certain run‐off operations, including a Run‐off Reinsurance segment.

The interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) necessary, in the opinion of management, for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the periods reported. The interim consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes in the Company's 2012 Form 10-K.

The preparation of interim consolidated financial statements necessarily relies heavily on estimates. This and certain other factors, such as the seasonal nature of portions of the health care and related benefits business as well as competitive and other market conditions, call for caution in estimating full year results based on interim results of operations. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current presentation. In particular, as a result of the changes in segment reporting discussed further in Note 16, benefits expense amounts previously reported in Other Benefits Expense for the international health care business have been reclassified to Global Health Care Medical Claims Expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2012.