Dealing with the possibility of substance abuse treatment without insurance is stressful. Most people don’t make it to the point of dealing with it because they cannot afford services without coverage.
This limits a lot of clients to state-owned and funded substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities, which are far from the ideal option for rehab. Insurance companies like Cigna provide specialized coverage for substance abuse treatment, but it’s not all they focus on.
Cigna deals with a wide variety of specialized forms of insurance that deal with personal wellness. They provide coverage for programs that connect employees and employers to improve the working relationship. Health coaching and other mentoring programs fall under their coverage umbrella as well.
The exact level of coverage you receive depends heavily on your policy, as they have multiple options with different highlights and benefits. If you’re thinking about attending a substance abuse treatment program and your insurance doesn’t cover the level of care you require, or you don’t have insurance at all, this article can help break down the process of receiving coverage for your rehab stay.
What Is a Cigna Approved Rehab?
Cigna-approved rehabs are substance abuse facilities that typically provide simultaneous mental health treatment. Not every combination treatment center will be a Cigna-approved rehab, but this is usually a criterion for Cigna to provide coverage.
No umbrella set of rules covers what earns a rehab the title of Cigna-approved. Instead, it’s just the term for a treatment facility for which Cigna provides either all or partial coverage.
Cigna Substance Abuse Treatment Options
For individuals who have Cigna insurance, there is a substantial amount of different treatment options. These options range from the most straightforward outpatient treatment programs to the most intensive inpatient rehab treatments.
As a general guideline, you can expect the following options as a Cigna customer:
- Medically assisted detox
- Inpatient rehab
- Outpatient rehab
- Prescription medication coverage
- Behavioral health services
Any sub-category of insurance provided by Cigna typically falls under one of these broad categories. One of the most asked questions is whether Cigna covers residential treatment.
Can Cigna Cover Residential Treatment?
Depending on your policy, Cigna does cover residential treatment. However, not every policy includes full coverage or the same deductible.
When you go over your plan with your agent, you must get a list of the specific forms of treatment you’ll receive coverage for. In addition, you’ll need a clear understanding of your deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
You might have a policy that includes a higher percentage of coverage, but you could end up paying a larger copay. It’s also important to stay mindful regarding the length of treatment that Cigna covers.
Typically, Cigna covers between one and six weeks of residential treatment, followed by four to 12 weeks of intensive outpatient rehab services. The final length of time is ultimately decided by how successful the initial portion of your treatment is.
If the initial period is deemed unsuccessful by physicians and specialists, Cigna works closely with your treatment team to craft an alternative plan.
Is Medication-Assisted Treatment Possible with Cigna
Cigna makes medication-assisted treatment available as part of some of its coverage plans. One of the primary benefits of their medication-assisted treatment program is that clients aren’t limited to one type of coverage.
Options for medication-assisted treatment include methadone, suboxone, and naltrexone. This coverage is separate from policies for rehab. Depending on your situation, Cigna may cover all or just a portion of your medication expenses.
Features of Approved Cigna Rehab Programs
One of the most attractive characteristics of Cigna rehab coverage is the vast amount of therapy options available to clients. The huge list ranges from traditional forms of substance abuse and behavioral therapies to newer, more holistic forms of treatment.
Cigna plans are broken down into bronze, silver, gold, and platinum plans, each with unique coverages and ranging deductibles. However, regardless of the level of care, the same specific forms of therapy are usually available to members, just in different settings (inpatient, outpatient, etc.).
The following list provides some insight regarding the options available to members:
Behavioral Therapy
Several different forms of behavioral therapies are available for members of Cigna, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Exposure therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Gestalt therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
- Somatic experiencing
Experiential Therapy
- Equine therapy
- Biofeedback
- Cranial electrical stimulation
- Wilderness therapy
Alternative Therapy
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Exercise
- Mindfulness
- Virtual reality
Will My Cigna Policy Cover Medical Detox?
Assuming you have the appropriate Cigna policy, you could potentially have all or a part of the costs of medically assisted detox covered. Before entering detox, Cigna typically requires some written treatment plan or course of action regarding your path to recovery.
Depending on counselors’ recommendations, most clients already have an inpatient or outpatient therapy lined up for them. Because Cigna is so adamant about remaining informed about each client’s treatment plan, a more comprehensive plan is put together so no steps are wasted.
For example, a client who receives coverage for detox but doesn’t have inpatient or outpatient treatment on their schedule runs the risk of relapse. This means the money it took to cover detox was a waste and can be very demoralizing for the client.
That said, Cigna is likewise known for its compassion and understanding of the potential roadmap to recovery. No matter how much we’d like to say it’s not, relapse is a part of recovery. Just by breaking down the numbers, it’s pretty clear that most individuals entering treatment have a high chance of relapsing.
This isn’t to say that many don’t get back on track – and Cigna understands this. Many insurance companies will deny clients coverage if they attempt rehab once and relapse. Cigna doesn’t participate in this policy, making them an ideal provider because of their forward-thinking approach.
Can I Get Dual Diagnosis Treatment with Cigna?
Dual diagnosis is one of the coverage options that many Cigna-approved rehabs place heavy emphasis on. Attending rehab facilities that provide mental health care and substance abuse treatment is becoming the standard of care in the recovery space.
The best part about Cigna-approved rehabs is that if one type of treatment doesn’t seem to generate a favorable response, other options are available. Having backup plans available or the accessibility of multiple treatment forms simultaneously provides clients with the most comprehensive forms of treatment available.
By providing this level of care for clients, the odds are higher the actual root of the substance abuse is treated. This leads to a higher percentage of clients experiencing long-term recovery, especially when combined with the correct aftercare services.
Prescription Medication Coverage with Cigna
Prescription medication coverage is available with Cigna as a part of a facility’s medication-assisted treatment program. However, medication coverage doesn’t stop here.
Many clients are placed under prescription therapy for mental health challenges combined with a substance abuse history. It’s not uncommon for antidepressants or other medications to end up as a form of a client’s treatment plan.
For a client to receive prescription coverage, Cigna requires a detailed outline from the prescribing physician stating how this medication fits into their recovery plan and the outlook the physician has for the future. Moving forward, the client is monitored closely for progress or setbacks regarding the prescription regimen.
Does Cigna Cover Aftercare Services or Sober Living?
In many sober living houses, outpatient treatment services are required of many residents. In this case, Cigna would provide some or all of the coverage for the treatment.
In addition, if the sober living home is associated with the organization providing the treatment, Cigna may also pay for a portion of the sober living community. However, because many clients participating in sober living houses can work, some may not require insurance to cover their room and board.
This could be detrimental to some clients because many are learning to live on their own and shoulder responsibility in a typical environment. However, everyone is different, and each case is treated accordingly.
Find Lasting Recovery with Cigna Coverage at Pathfinders
Pathfinders is proud to announce the fact that we’re a Cigna-approved rehab. Treatment facilities working in conjunction with insurance providers who are genuinely concerned for clients’ wellbeing and treat them more than just a number present an excellent opportunity for enrolled members.
If you’re looking for a facility to begin your recovery journey, Pathfinders provides a great program with multiple options for treatment. Even if you’re having insurance issues, we can help direct you toward fantastic companies like Cigna and get you enrolled in the shortest amount of time possible to get you started on the path to recovery. If you have any questions regarding insurance, intake, or other inquiries regarding our program, contact a member of our staff at one of our Arizona or Colorado locations.
