Cigna Denied Your Mental Health Treatment?
Cigna Healthcare (The Cigna Group) denies 18.5% of claims on average. But 52% of appeals succeed when patients fight back. Your mental health treatment denial may have grounds for a successful appeal.
Why Cigna Denies Mental Health Treatment
Session limits or visit caps
Not medically necessary per reviewer assessment
Provider not in-network
Diagnosis not covered under plan
Cigna's Common Denial Tactics
Mass auto-denials (300,000 claims in 2 months at 1.2 seconds each)
Requiring step therapy for medications your doctor already tried
Denying claims as "experimental" despite FDA approval
How to Win Your Mental Health Treatment Appeal
Cite MHPAEA — mental health must be covered at parity with medical/surgical
Document treatment necessity from psychiatrist or psychologist
Show that denial applies stricter criteria than comparable medical treatment
File with DOL if ERISA plan violates parity requirements
Laws That Protect You
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)
ACA Essential Health Benefits — Mental health is required
State mental health parity laws
Tips for Appealing to Cigna
Reference the ProPublica investigation into automated denials
Gather evidence of prior failed treatments to counter step therapy requirements
Obtain peer-reviewed studies supporting FDA-approved treatments
Ready to Fight Your Mental Health Treatment Denial?
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This information is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal or medical advice. Statistics cited are from publicly available sources including KFF, HHS OIG, and state insurance department data. Individual results may vary. Consult a qualified professional before taking action on your specific situation.