Cigna Credentialing Services
Cigna credentials medical providers through a participation request backed by CAQH, and behavioral providers through Evernorth Behavioral Health with its own application. We handle both paths and keep them moving to contract.
The application path we run for this payer
- Intake and gap reviewLicenses, DEA, board certificates, malpractice, work history and NPI details are collected and compared against what each target payer asks for.
- Profile setupCAQH ProView, PECOS and payer portals are created or cleaned up, attested and linked to the correct Tax ID and locations.
- Application submissionEvery enrollment is filed in dependency order, with a tracking record for each payer, date and reference number.
- Follow-up on a fixed cadencePayers are contacted on a schedule. Requests for more information are answered the same business day.
- Approval, contract and handoffEffective dates, provider IDs and fee schedules are logged and loaded into your billing system.
Cigna Healthcare is a national commercial carrier with a strong presence in employer-sponsored plans, which makes it a priority panel for practices in markets with large employers. Cigna's medical network and its behavioral network, run by Evernorth, are credentialed separately and have different requirements.
ClainetRCM submits the correct request for your provider type, confirms CAQH is complete and authorized for Cigna, and follows the file through credentialing and contracting.
Where this usually goes wrong
Behavioral providers sent down the medical path
Therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists who submit a general Cigna request are redirected to Evernorth, losing weeks.
Group linkage not requested
Providers joining a Cigna-contracted group must be added to the existing agreement, not offered a new one at different rates.
Directory data mismatches
Cigna verifies practice location and phone against CAQH. Mismatches delay the file and produce wrong directory listings after approval.
What ClainetRCM handles
One coordinator owns the file from intake to effective date.
- Participation request submitted for medical providers and groups
- Evernorth Behavioral Health application for mental health and substance use providers
- CAQH ProView attestation with Cigna authorized
- Group agreement linkage for new providers in participating practices
- Credentialing and contracting follow-up on a weekly cadence
- Fee schedule review and provider record loaded into billing
Cigna medical versus Evernorth behavioral
| Cigna medical network | Physicians, NPs, PAs, therapists in physical medicine, and facilities. Request via Cigna's provider site; data pulled from CAQH. |
|---|---|
| Evernorth Behavioral Health | Psychiatrists, psychologists, LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs, ABA providers and behavioral facilities. Separate application and committee. |
| Cigna Medicare Advantage | May require separate enrollment in some markets. See Medicare Advantage credentialing. |
| Typical timeline | 60 to 120 days depending on network and market. |
Questions about Cigna
How long does Cigna credentialing take?
Cigna medical credentialing typically completes in 60 to 90 days after a complete request, with contracting following. Evernorth behavioral credentialing runs closer to 90 to 120 days in most markets.
Does Cigna accept CAQH?
Yes. Cigna retrieves application data from CAQH ProView, so the profile must be current and Cigna must be authorized. See CAQH profile management.
How do therapists get credentialed with Cigna?
Through Evernorth Behavioral Health, which has its own application and requirements for licensure and supervision. Our therapist credentialing page covers the details.
Can I negotiate Cigna's fee schedule?
Individual providers rarely can, but groups with volume or a unique service sometimes obtain adjustments. We review the offered schedule against Medicare and your other contracts and advise before you sign. See payer contracting.