Cigna says it won IL Medicare-Medicaid contract

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. (AP) – Health insurer Cigna Corp. said Tuesday it will coordinate coverage for Illinois residents who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid as part of a three-year contract.

Cigna’s HealthSpring unit will be one of six health insurance companies participating in a project for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Medicare is a federal program that serves the elderly and disabled, and Medicaid is state-run and provides coverage for the poor though state and federal funding.

Cigna bought HealthSpring for $3.8 billion in January.