Cigna Drug Rehab

Cigna is a leading health insurance provider in the United States that offers affordable healthcare to its members, including treatment for substance use disorders. Since addiction treatment is considered an essential health benefit, all Cigna health plans provide coverage for substance use disorder treatment at least partially if not wholly. The scope of the coverage varies according to the individual plan, but recovery services include detoxification and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. The benefits can also vary depending on the customer’s state of residence. Cigna offers plans with lower monthly premiums but higher deductibles, and plans with higher monthly premiums but lower out-of-pocket expenses. To find out what addiction treatment is and isn’t covered as part of your Cigna insurance plan, you can call the National Drug Helpline on 1-844-289-0879.

Cigna: Company Overview

Cigna Insurance is a global health services organization with more than 180 million customer relationships in 30 countries. The company uses its vast experience and insight to provide better health outcomes for its customers. In the United States, the Cigna network includes more than 99% of all pharmacies and Medicare prescription drug plans in all 50 states. Cigna also provides better and affordable health care to its customers through 700+ Accountable Care Programs, 500+ hospitals that participate in the hospital quality incentive program, and a network of 175,000 behavioral health providers. ^[1]

Cigna’s mission is to make healthcare simple, predictable, and affordable for everyone. To this end, the company has partnered with thousands of professionals who offer quality, cost-effective care. The goal is to provide comprehensive health care with “no surprises.” By choosing how, when, and where they want their healthcare, Cigna customers benefit from improved well-being and peace of mind. Cigna Insurance integrates the physical, emotional, social, environmental, and financial aspects of healthcare and takes a whole-person approach to medical care.

As part of its corporate responsibility, Cigna has collaborated with more than 1 million prescribing providers to reduce opioid use in its customers by 25 percent.

Cigna Resources for Addiction Treatment

Through its Behavioral Health Division, Cigna offers a wealth of resources to people struggling with substance abuse. You can learn about drug and alcohol addiction as well as a range of mental health conditions through articles, podcasts, and seminars that address the physical and emotional challenges of recovery. These resources are designed to help people battling addiction make wise decisions and take action towards a better future. The information is available in both English and Spanish.

The Cigna Customer Service helpline at 1-800-997-1654 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to answer questions related to medical care.

Types of Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

People who have developed an addiction to drugs or alcohol need treatment at a professional rehabilitation facility, which can be either inpatient or outpatient. Inpatient rehabilitation (residential care) requires the patient to stay overnight, often for several weeks. Outpatient rehabilitation consists of attending therapy sessions during the day and going home at night. The duration of the rehab program depends on the severity of the substance use disorder, the presence of co-occurring mental health conditions, and the patient’s overall health status. Also, the patient’s social environment, including living situation and family support, influence the level of care necessary. ^[2]

Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Inpatient addiction treatment is typically more intensive and involves a structured program. Inpatient rehab is a good option for people who have tried outpatient addiction treatment without success. It is also recommended for those who have other physical and mental health conditions that can complicate addiction treatment. Inpatient rehab is particularly effective in people whose living situation exposes them to drugs or alcohol at home, making it difficult to quit these harmful substances. Last but not least, inpatient treatment for substance abuse may be necessary if there are no outpatient addiction clinics nearby. The duration of inpatient rehab varies, typically ranging from 1 to 6 weeks. Following the completion of inpatient treatment, clients may need to continue with outpatient therapy.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Outpatient rehabilitation programs for drug and alcohol abuse are conducted at mental health clinics, counselors’ offices, hospitals, or local health departments. The treatment usually consists of several therapy sessions every week that can continue for a year or even longer. Sessions are often scheduled for the evenings or weekends. The obvious advantage of outpatient rehab is that it allows people to hold down jobs or attend school while in recovery. Also, outpatient addiction treatment is more affordable than inpatient drug rehab. However, outpatient addiction treatment can be a challenge because the person continues to be exposed to triggers and may still have access to drugs and alcohol, increasing the risk of relapse.

Despite the many differences, there are many similarities between inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. Both usually involve a 12-step program, individual counseling, group therapy sessions, family therapy, educational services, and medication management.

Various Cigna insurance health plans provide coverage for inpatient and outpatient alcohol and drug rehabilitation. The exact benefits and services covered depend on the individual plan.

Cigna Health Plans

Cigna offers a range of affordable health insurance plans for individuals and families in 10 states – Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. Residents of these states who have lost their job or health coverage due to a major life event may qualify for the special enrollment period in which they can make changes to their health plan or browse health plans 60 days from the event. Some people may also be eligible for premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions to reduce the health insurance premium on their Cigna plan and decrease their out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

Many Cigna health plans allow primary care provider (PCP) visits with a co-pay before you have met your deductible, meaning you can see an in-network primary care provider and only pay part of the cost of the visit even before you’ve met your deductible. Many Cigna health plans include in-network preventive care, such as flu shots, annual check-ups, and some prescription drugs, at no additional cost.

Some Cigna health plans include $0 virtual care (telemedicine or telehealth) where you can connect with a board-certified physician, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, or licensed therapist from anywhere, 24/7, using a computer or mobile device. This gives people with substance use disorders and mental illness the chance to talk privately with licensed therapists and psychiatrists about their addiction or mental health condition and also to have prescriptions sent directly to their local pharmacy if needed. ^[3]

What to Consider When Choosing a Cigna Health Plan?

It can be confusing to choose the best Cigna health plan for you, so here is a quick checklist of what to consider, which can serve as a starting point.

The premium is what you will pay every month to enroll in a Cigna health plan. You will pay this amount regardless of whether you need medical care or not. The deductible is the amount you will pay for healthcare before your insurance plan starts covering costs. If you are in good health and do not anticipate any surgery or lots of medical care expenses, choose a plan with a lower monthly premium. However, plans with lower premiums generally have a high deductible. This means you will be responsible for all medical expenses until you have met the deductible amount.

Cigna has negotiated low rates with hundreds of health care providers, clinics, and hospitals that are in-network for certain health plans. When choosing a Cigna health plan, check whether your primary care provider is in the plan’s network. By choosing a plan that includes your primary care provider and specialists in-network, you can avoid extra costs.

Determine what value-added benefits the Cigna health plan includes. For instance, some plans include discount programs for health and wellness products and services, access to mobile apps, or 24/7 customer service to get answers to your questions.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Cigna Health Plan

Here are some questions to ask yourself, the answers to which can help you in choosing a Cigna health plan.

How often do I or my family need medical care?

You are responsible for your medical costs until you reach your deductible. For instance, if your health plan has a deductible of $2,000, you will pay 100% of the first $2,000 of healthcare expenses in a policy year. Therefore, if you anticipate lots of doctors’ visits and medical care, it makes sense to choose a plan with a lower deductible. However, such plans usually incur a higher monthly premium.

Do I want to see a specific doctor regularly?

If you have a primary care provider or specialist that you see regularly, you should check whether your doctor is in-network for the health plan you are considering. Getting medical care from an in-network provider invites lower costs than seeing someone who is out-of-network.

Do I or my family need regular prescriptions?

If you or your family members need certain prescriptions filled often, you should check the health plan’s prescription drug list to make sure those drugs are included in the plan. For example, all Cigna individual and family health insurance plans help reduce insulin costs. Members pay a maximum of $25 out-of-pocket for a month’s supply of insulin (covered, eligible varieties).

Does My Cigna Health Plan Cover Addiction Treatment?

If you have a Cigna health insurance plan and would like to find out what treatment for substance use disorders is covered under your plan, please call the National Drug Helpline at 1-844-289-0879 for help.

If you have health insurance, chances are at least some of your addiction therapy will be covered. Your coverage depends on where you live and the specifics of your particular policy. Under most policies, you will likely have to pay out-of-pocket. Drug Helpline publishes information on how much treatment typically costs.

Last updated: March 9, 2023