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Referral Denial

Cigna Denied Your Specialist Referral?

Cigna Healthcare (The Cigna Group) denies 18.5% of claims on average. But 52% of appeals succeed when patients fight back. Your specialist referral denial may have grounds for a successful appeal.

18.5%
Denial Rate
52%
Appeal Success
30-60 days
Typical Timeline
$500–$5,000
Typical Claim

Why Cigna Denies Specialist Referral

Primary care can manage the condition

Out-of-network specialist not covered

Referral authorization expired or not obtained

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 Specialist Referral Appeal

PCP letter explaining why specialist care is needed

Documentation of failed primary care treatment

Evidence no in-network specialist is available for the condition

Laws That Protect You

ACA network adequacy requirements

State any-willing-provider laws

No Surprises Act for emergency specialist care

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 Specialist Referral Denial?

Upload your denial letter and get an AI-powered analysis in minutes. We'll identify the weaknesses in Cigna's reasoning and build your appeal strategy.

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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.

Cigna Denied Your Specialist Referral? Here's How to Appeal | Lysco