Frequently asked questions about behavioral health providers.
Ph.D./MS Level: These are therapists who use talk therapy. They help you assess the issues you're facing and find solutions. They include psychologists (LP), family therapists (LMFT, LMC), social workers (LCSW, LSW), nurse practitioners (ARNP, APRN), and clinicians (LMHC). All therapists contracted by Cigna Healthcare SM are licensed and offer treatment through independent practices. Many therapists are even starting to use video to provide more convenient access to care. Therapists' specialties are identified by Cigna Healthcare as part of the credentialing process.
MD/DO/NP Level: MD's and DO's are doctors who specialize in Psychiatry or Addiction Medicine. They can diagnose problems and treat them through talk therapy. They can also prescribe medication if necessary. Many psychiatrists also have subspecialties. These include Children and Adolescents, Geriatric, Addiction Medicine, etc. All MD's and DO's contracted by Cigna Healthcare are licensed and offer treatment through their independent practices.
Behavioral health providers' abbreviations can be confusing. Here's a breakdown of their types of degrees and licensure.
Many states have different names for licensures; these are usually master's level counselors. Some of the abbreviations include: CCSW, LPCC, CADC, CCSW, LCPC, CCPC, CICSW, CPC, MFCC, LMHC, CMFT, and CMHC.
To find a list of in-network providers, please call the toll-free number on your Cigna Healthcare ID card or search our Provider Directory.
A hospital can specialize in behavioral health treatment. A behavioral program typically takes place at a hospital or clinic. These services often include:
If you're having a crisis, please go to the nearest emergency room right away. Your plan benefits will apply to services needed to evaluate or stabilize you.
Important: Most plans require pre-authorization for hospital care or behavioral programs. Please call the number on your Cigna Healthcare ID card for more information.
A clinic is a practice where multiple professionals work together. Sometimes they provide complementary services. These are services that work together toward the same goal. Some behavioral health clinics only have therapists on staff. Others provide a team of therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
Some clinics require patients to receive care only from their professionals. And note that not all providers in a clinic may be contracted with Cigna Healthcare. When choosing a clinic, ask to be referred to provider in your Cigna Healthcare plan’s network.
Information on mental health or substance use disorder treatment served by Cigna Healthcare is confidential. It won't be disclosed to anyone, with the following exceptions:
Note: If you're a Cigna Healthcare customer, you don't have access to information about the care received by another person on your plan who is not your legal responsibility. A parent or legal guardian can access information about the benefit utilization and services provided to his/her child without being on the plan, unless court documentation is provided to Cigna Healthcare saying that the parent has no legal rights to such information about his/her child.
Medical necessity is a term used by providers. It refers to how Cigna Healthcare will work with your provider to find the right level of care and length of treatment to decrease your symptoms. You and your provider will build a plan with specific behaviors and goals. When you achieve these, treatment is no longer necessary.
If your behavioral health provider is no longer available or you're not making progress, you may need to switch. You can call the toll-free number on your Cigna Healthcare ID card. Tell us what isn't working with your behavioral health professional. We will be happy to help you find another one.
You can talk one-on-one with a nurse, 24/7/365, for guidance and information on anything from urgent clinical needs to work/life issues. Also, if you have a Cigna Healthcare employee assistance program (EAP), call us first at . This way you'll get full access to your benefits and the help of our Personal Advocates.
If you have a behavioral health claim question, you can call the number on your Cigna Healthcare ID card. However, some accounts through employers have a dedicated Customer Service/Claim line. You can dial that number for answers to your questions if your benefit plan is set up this way.
Care should be available to you in a timely way. These timeframes for getting an appointment have been shared with our network providers. If you can't get an appointment within these timeframes, call Cigna Healthcare at the number on your Cigna Healthcare ID card for assistance.
Type of Care Needed: Time from Request for Care: Non-life threatening emergency Within 6 hours Within 48 hours Within 10 working days Office wait times 15 minutes or lessIf you need emergency services, please go to the nearest emergency room or behavioral health facility right away. Your plan benefits will apply to services needed to evaluate or stabilize treatment for a condition that is reasonably considered to be an emergency behavioral health condition.
This material is provided by Cigna Healthcare for informational/educational purposes only. It is not medical/clinical advice. Only a health care provider can make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment plan. For more information about your behavioral health benefits, you can call the member services or behavioral health telephone number listed on your health care ID card.
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La aseguradora publica el formulario traducido para fines informativos y la versión en inglés prevalece para fines de solicitud e interpretación.
The insurer is issuing the translated form on an informational basis and the English version is controlling for the purposes of application and interpretation.