Cigna is a global health insurance company that specializes in plans for families, businesses, and individuals. They have health, dental, and supplemental coverage. Many of their plans extend to mental health and substance abuse treatment as well. If you are starting a mental health or behavioral health company you might want to know how to get in-network with Cigna.
How to Get In-Network with Cigna
Cigna works with over 15 million customers across 16 countries and 50 states. As far as healthcare is concerned, they work with over one million providers. Becoming one of those providers starts with a process called credentialing. This is where you confirm that you have the appropriate credentials to provide the services that you want to associate with the healthcare company. It involves a pre-application phone call and a subsequent application submission.
Cigna has credentialing for the following groups:
- Medical credentialing
- Behavioral credentialing
- Dental credentialing
- Pharmacy credentialing
- International network
The process starts with an online provider portal where you can submit information about your program.
If approved, Cigna offers support through actionable, patient-specific details that get shared with you; services; newsletters; health plan designs; accurate claims processing; and service representatives.
Medical Credentialing
For the medical credentialing process, in order for you to figure out how to get in-network with Cigna insurance, you have to provide them with basic information through the healthcare provider’s services number which can be found on Cigna’s website.
Once you are connected to a representative, you’ll provide basic information and typically be told at the end of the call whether or not you meet the basic guidelines necessary to apply.
If you run a facility or you represent an ancillary provider, you’ll have to call the provider information number for credentialing.
After that, you’ll be able to submit your application. Cigna insurance sends you an email with an application packet, and with permission you’ll be able to access that packet electronically and submit state applications depending on where you live.
This can include a long list of requirements like:
- Five years of work history
- Professional education and training
- Board certification status
- Controlled Dangerous Substances certificate or DEA certificate
- State medical license or appropriate professional license
- Prior sanctioning activities
- Malpractice claims history
- Adequate malpractice insurance
Behavioral Credentialing
For behavioral credentialing, you have to provide them with basic information through the healthcare provider services number listed on the Cigna website.
After that, you’ll be able to submit your application, and this includes information such as:
- Identification for LGBTQ+ services
- Specialization for HIV or gender dysphoria
- State medical license or appropriate professional license
- Board certification status
- Controlled Dangerous Substances certificate or DEA certificate
- Prior sanctioning activities
- Malpractice claims history
- Adequate malpractice insurance
Review Process
The process for reviewing a submitted application can take between 45 and 60 days, but you’ll receive updated emails if any information is missing, if there are delays, and whether you have been approved. If approved, your information will be uploaded within 10 days to the directories and claims systems.
Getting Help With Your Application
With C4 Consulting, you can get help with your Cigna application before and during the submission process. Our mental health consulting can provide you with more in-depth information regarding important details like how much malpractice insurance is required by Cigna depending on the services you are providing, what licenses are most appropriate for the services you are trying to provide, and where you can get certification for any requirements that you are currently missing.
Our services can help you with specific industries while also taking into account the professional services offered in your area and where you might be able to increase competitiveness. Once approved you’ll have to move into the phase of determining your contract and pricing for services, something that can be difficult if it’s your first time negotiating with an insurance company. Professional consultation services can make all of this much easier.
Overall, learning how to get in network with Cigna insurance can be made much easier when you have professional consulting services to help you before submitting your application. These services can help you avoid unnecessary delays because of missing information or errors.
Reach out to our team today to learn more about our professional consultation services.
