Ascension Saint Thomas and Cigna (NYSE: CI) today announced they have reached an agreement to provide Cigna's LocalPlus customers in Middle Tennessee with access to high value, high quality care at Ascension Saint Thomas facilities and affiliated physician practices. The new, multi-year agreement takes effect on June 1 and will benefit Cigna customers who have a LocalPlus plan.

Since 2017, Ascension Saint Thomas has been part of Cigna Collaborative Care®, the company's approach to achieving the same population health goals as accountable care organizations (ACOs): better health, affordability, and patient experience. With this LocalPlus agreement, Ascension Saint Thomas will play a key role in delivering increased value to Cigna customers and employer clients. Ascension Saint Thomas joins existing hospitals in the LocalPlus network, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Williamson Medical Center, Tennova Healthcare Clarksville, Maury Regional Hospital and Vanderbilt Wilson County.

"We are proud to build on our relationship with Ascension Saint Thomas to provide our LocalPlus customers with more affordable health care," said Greg Allen, MidSouth market president for Cigna. "Together, we will continue to work toward our shared mission of improving the health of the Middle Tennessee community."

Ascension Saint Thomas comprises nine acute care facilities, one of the region's largest medical groups and a vast network of affiliated joint ventures and health and wellness partnerships. Saint Thomas Medical Partners includes over 100 locations and more than 500 physicians and advanced practice providers throughout Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. Primary service offerings include cardiology, cardiac surgery, gastroenterology, general surgery, neurology, primary care and ExpressCare.

"Ascension Saint Thomas is committed to expanding access to care for the communities we are so privileged to serve," said Tim Adams, president & CEO, Ascension Saint Thomas. "We look forward to working with Cigna in this new way to serve as a high quality, high value health system for their customers."