BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. , through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Linkia, LLC, a provider network management company, has announced an agreement with CIGNA HealthCare for the provision of orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) products and services. As a result, Linkia will serve to assist in O&P network management for more than nine million CIGNA HealthCare beneficiaries. The agreement will be effective October 17, 2005, and includes all Hanger sites across the nation as well as independent providers under direct agreement with Linkia.
Ivan R. Sabel, CPO, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. stated, “We are very excited about our broadened relationship with CIGNA HealthCare and we believe that this is another indication of how Linkia’s unique capabilities can be leveraged to better serve large healthcare companies such as CIGNA HealthCare.”
“CIGNA HealthCare’s agreement with Hanger’s Linkia subsidiary supports an overall network strategy to ensure broad access to providers that meet members’ healthcare needs,” said Shawn Fitzgibbon, Vice President of National Contracting for CIGNA HealthCare. “Linkia offers services in CIGNA HealthCare markets across the country, assuring members and physicians reliable access to a uniform level of quality and care.”
Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc., headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is the world’s premier provider of orthotic and prosthetic patient-care services. Hanger is the market leader in the United States, owning and operating 618 patient-care centers in 45 states including the District of Columbia, with 3,405 employees including 1,017 practitioners. Hanger is organized into four units. The two key operating units are patient-care which consists of nationwide orthotic and prosthetic practice centers and distribution which consists of distribution centers managing the supply chain of orthotic and prosthetic componentry to Hanger and third party patient-care centers. The third is Linkia which is the first and only provider network management company for the orthotics and prosthetics industry. The fourth unit, Innovative Neurotronics, introduces emerging neuromuscular technologies developed through independent research in a collaborative effort with industry suppliers worldwide.
This document contains forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s results of operations. The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain forward- looking statements. Statements relating to future results of operations in this document reflect the current views of management. However, various risks, uncertainties and contingencies could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements, including the Company’s ability to enter into and derive benefits from managed care contracts, the demand for the Company’s orthotic and prosthetic services and products and the other factors identified in the Company’s periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.
CONTACT: Ivan R. Sabel, George E. McHenry, Jason P. Owen, all of HangerOrthopedic Group, Inc., +1-301-986-0701
Web site: http://www.hanger.com/
