Cigna health insurance provides coverage for addiction and substance use disorders. If you have Cigna and need professional treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, the services you need may be partially or fully covered by your insurance plan.
Continue reading to learn more about addiction treatment coverage under Cigna, and how to confirm whether your plan will help cover treatment costs.
About Cigna Health Insurance
Cigna provides health insurance coverage to more than 180 million people worldwide and maintains relationships with more than 1.5 million healthcare providers, clinics, and facilities. Cigna reports more than 175,000 providers in its mental and behavioral healthcare network alone, which has grown 70% since 2016. This major health insurer prides itself on improving the health, well-being, and peace of mind of its members by providing simple and affordable health care.
Cigna insurance plans are accepted by many drug and alcohol rehab centers in the United States. If you need addiction treatment and have a Cigna plan, it should be relatively easy for you to find a provider. However, your coverage and benefits are determined based on the type of health plan you have, so it helps to confirm your plan details before seeking treatment.
Which Addiction Treatment Services Are Covered By Cigna?
Cigna covers a wide range of addiction treatment services, including medical detox, outpatient rehab programs, and residential inpatient rehab.
Medical Detox
Medical detox is an inpatient detox service that helps patients safely withdraw from drugs and alcohol while under constant medical supervision. Patients are monitored closely by highly trained nurses and doctors for the duration of withdrawal and are given medications to reduce their symptoms and help them feel more comfortable. Drug and alcohol withdrawal can last anywhere between a few days and several weeks, based on factors including the type of substance that was used and the severity of symptoms.
Medical detox is recommended for patients recovering from dependence on alcohol, opioids (heroin and painkillers), and sedatives (benzodiazepines and barbiturates). All these substances can trigger strong cravings and life-threatening complications including seizures and dehydration. After completing medical detox, many patients transition into an inpatient or outpatient rehab program to receive therapy and counseling for addiction.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehab is usually a short-term treatment program for patients who need 24-hour supervision and medical care after acute symptoms of withdrawal have been resolved. For instance, stimulants including cocaine and methamphetamine can cause a range of psychological symptoms such as aggression and paranoia that can put patients and those around them at great risk for harm. Therefore, medications are often used to stabilize these patients during the days and weeks after acute symptoms have ended.
Inpatient rehab is also ideal for patients with severe alcohol use disorder who are at risk for grand mal seizures, and for those with co-occurring medical conditions such as eating disorders who need intensive medical treatment following detox. This program usually takes place at a hospital or clinic that provides 24-hour medical care.
Residential Rehab
Residential rehab is a live-in program where patients can live at the drug and alcohol rehab center for 30 days or longer, based on the length of time they need in which to learn essential skills for staying sober. This rehab program offers patients a comfortable, home-like environment where they can recover in peace away from negative influences and without access to drugs and alcohol.
Residential rehab is ideal for patients who do not need 24-hour supervision. However, this program does provide patients with around-the-clock access to a support system of counselors and therapists. Patients spend their days receiving several hours of individual and group therapy, and engaging in therapeutic activities that build their confidence and self-esteem. The behavioral therapies used in residential rehab programs help patients change harmful behaviors and habits that may have been driving their addiction.
Cigna provides coverage for residential rehab, though the length of treatment covered will vary from one patient to the next based on the details of their health plan.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient rehab programs provide treatment for patients who are living at home or in sober living facilities. These programs take place several hours a week during the day or night and are usually designed to be flexible around patients’ work, school, and family schedules. Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and standard outpatient programs are different levels of outpatient care.
A PHP is the highest level of outpatient care and usually takes place four to six hours a day on at least five days a week. A PHP offers the same daily structure as residential rehab programs, except patients stay home at night and on weekends. Therapy in a PHP focuses on preparing patients to become more independent and on teaching them skills that help them stay sober.
An IOP is a 12-week program that takes place for at least three hours a day on two to five days a week. An IOP is the next lower level of care after a PHP and includes many of the same behavioral therapies. IOPs generally offer far more flexibility than PHPs, as many patients in these programs have resumed their work schedules or are caring for their families. In addition, patients can choose from day or night classes that work around their schedules outside of rehab.
Standard outpatient programs offer the lowest level of care and typically meet for a few hours one or two times a week. These programs are ideal for patients who need ongoing support and guidance after completing a higher level of care.
Twelve-step support group meetings, medication management services, and relapse prevention training are some of the many therapies used in standard outpatient rehab that help patients stay on track with recovery. Standard outpatient programs are also a good option for those who are highly motivated to stay sober and can navigate their communities with more confidence and a reduced risk of relapse.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
MAT uses a whole-person treatment approach to addiction and combines the use of medications with counseling and behavioral therapy to help patients achieve long-term recovery. MAT is available only for the treatment of opioid addiction and alcohol addiction, as the medications used in MAT have the ability to reduce opioid and alcohol cravings, as well as withdrawal symptoms.
MAT is shown to help patients maintain sobriety for longer periods of time and stay engaged in their treatment plans. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), MAT is also shown to improve patient survival and increase patients’ ability to find and maintain employment.
Cigna may cover some or all costs associated with MAT for patients with opioid or alcohol use disorder who qualify to receive this treatment.
How Can I Check My Coverage and Benefits With Cigna?
Cigna makes it easy for you to check your insurance coverage and benefits.
First, visit the Cigna website and click “Log in to myCigna” in the upper right corner. Select the option to create an account if you aren’t already registered. Log in to myCigna using your credentials, then following the instructions provided to review your plan benefits.
You may also call Cigna directly at (800) 997-1654 to speak to a representative about your insurance benefits, or visit its Contact Us page and select the option to start a live chat with a Cigna representative.
Another convenient way to check your Cigna insurance benefits is to ask your addiction treatment provider to perform a free insurance benefits check on your behalf. Many drug and alcohol rehab centers are happy to confirm your benefits and discuss your available treatment options based on the details of your plan.
America’s Rehab Campuses accepts Cigna health insurance and can quickly and easily verify your insurance benefits so you can start the addiction treatment process. Contact America’s Rehab Campuses at 833-272-7342 to verify your insurance coverage and benefits under Cigna.
What If Cigna Doesn’t Cover My Addiction Treatment Program?
If Cigna doesn’t cover the treatments and services you need to recover from addiction, many addiction treatment centers will work with you to establish a payment or financing plan that works best for you based on your unique situation. Monthly payment plans, CareCredit, and sliding scale fees that adjust treatment costs based on your income are some of the many financing options that may be available.
Contact American Rehab Centers directly and speak with one of our trained professionals to learn more about its financing options and insurance coverage with Cigna.
