How to Credential with Cigna / Evernorth as a Therapist
- Confirm the network is open — Call 1-800-926-2273 or email BehavioralProviderRecruitment@Evernorth.com before applying.
- Complete your CAQH ProView profile — Must be fully attested within 120 days, set to “authorize all payers.”
- Request the Evernorth application form — Ask specifically for the Evernorth Behavioral Health Provider Information Form, not the standard Cigna medical form.
- Submit your application package — State license, malpractice certificate, W-9, completed form. Everything must match CAQH exactly.
- Complete primary source verification (PSV) — Evernorth verifies your credentials. Allow 60–90 days. Respond quickly to any requests.
- Sign your provider agreement — Review fee schedule, sign, return. You’ll receive your participation effective date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average timeline is 60 to 90 days from submission of a complete application. Incomplete CAQH profiles or missing documents can extend this to 3–6 months. Starting with a fully attested CAQH profile is the single most effective way to avoid delays.
Yes. Evernorth Behavioral Health credentials independently licensed therapists including LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs, and psychologists (PhD/PsyD). Availability varies by state. Always call 1-800-926-2273 to confirm your license type is being accepted before applying.
No. You cannot bill Cigna as in-network until credentialing is complete and you have a confirmed participation effective date. Billing before that results in claim denials and potential recoupment.
Evernorth Behavioral Health is Cigna’s dedicated behavioral health subsidiary. Therapists always credential through Evernorth — not Cigna’s medical team — using a different form, contact team, and process. Submitting a standard Cigna medical application causes significant delays.
Yes. Our credentialing and RCM team manages the entire Evernorth application, CAQH maintenance, and follow-up. Identity verification during PSV still requires the provider’s direct involvement.
Cigna covers over 18 million Americans with behavioral health benefits through its subsidiary, Evernorth Behavioral Health. For therapists in private practice, joining the network meaningfully expands your insured client base — but Cigna’s rules differ significantly from payers like Aetna or UnitedHealthcare.
The most important thing to understand upfront: behavioral health credentialing is processed entirely through Evernorth, with a different form, contact team, and portal than Cigna’s medical side. Getting this wrong is the most common — and most avoidable — source of delay.
Official Resources:
Requirements to Credential with Cigna / Evernorth
Active State License
Active, unrestricted independent practice license (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PhD, PsyD). Provisional licenses not accepted.
NPI Type 1 Number
Individual NPI mandatory. Get one free at NPPES — takes 1–2 weeks.
Active CAQH Profile
Attested within 120 days at proview.caqh.org, set to “authorize all payers.” See our CAQH guide.
Malpractice Insurance
Min $1M per occurrence / $3M aggregate. Certificate must be current and list your practice address.
24+ Clinical Hours/Week
Evernorth requires a minimum of 24 clinical hours per week — an ongoing contractual obligation.
Open Network in Your Area
Call 1-800-926-2273 to confirm the network is accepting your specialty and zip code before applying.
Step-by-Step: The Cigna / Evernorth Credentialing Process
Unlike BCBS which uses decentralized state plans, Cigna behavioral health flows through a single Evernorth national team.
Confirm Network Status First
Call 1-800-926-2273 or email BehavioralProviderRecruitment@Evernorth.com to verify the network is accepting your license type in your area before doing anything else.
Complete and Attest Your CAQH Profile
Log in at proview.caqh.org, complete all sections, re-attest, and set “authorize all payers.” Attestation must be within the past 120 days when Evernorth reviews your file.
Request the Evernorth Application Form
Contact Provider Recruitment and ask specifically for the Evernorth Behavioral Health Provider Information Form — not the standard Cigna medical application.
Submit Your Complete Application Package
Return the Evernorth form with: state license copy, malpractice certificate, W-9, and DEA certificate if applicable. Every detail must match your CAQH profile exactly.
Primary Source Verification (PSV)
Evernorth verifies your license, education, work history, and malpractice history. This phase takes 60–90 days. Respond immediately to any document requests.
Contract Execution and Go-Live
Once approved, review your fee schedule at cignaforhcp.cigna.com, sign, and return. You’ll receive a participation effective date — the first date you can bill Cigna in-network.
Billing + Free Growth
- Professional Medical Billing
- FREE Insurance Credentialing
- FREE TherapyDial Profile Listing
- Priority Practice Support
Direct Cigna Contract vs. Aggregator Platforms
Therapists on platforms like Alma, Headway, or Grow Therapy access Cigna through group contracts. Here is how the paths compare:
| Factor | Direct Cigna Contract | Via Aggregator (Alma / Headway) |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | 60–90 days (up to 6 months) | 2–4 weeks under group contract |
| Rate control | You negotiate directly | Platform sets rates; takes a cut |
| CPT 90837 rate | $130–$175 depending on state | Typically $80–$120 after platform fee |
| Admin burden | You manage billing and claims | Platform handles billing |
| Long-term value | Higher — you own the contract | Lower — you depend on platform terms |
5 Common Reasons Cigna / Evernorth Denies or Delays Applications
Network closed in your area. Always confirm availability before applying.
CAQH profile not attested or incomplete. Expired attestation (older than 120 days) stops your application. Maintain it at proview.caqh.org.
Fewer than 24 clinical hours per week. Providers who cannot meet this minimum do not qualify.
Disciplinary history or malpractice gaps. Disclose proactively rather than waiting for them to surface during PSV.
Using the wrong application form. Standard Cigna medical applications route incorrectly and cause major delays.
Cigna Reimbursement Rates for Therapists in 2026
Cigna uses RBRVS at approximately 110%–160% of Medicare rates. Typical 2026 benchmarks:
Pro tip: Log in at cignaforhcp.cigna.com under My Practice → Fee Schedules to view your exact negotiated rates. Urban markets (NYC, LA, Chicago) typically land at the higher end. Never assume Medicare rates — always verify your contract.
Cigna Recredentialing: What to Expect
Cigna recredentials all in-network providers every three years. Notice comes 90 days before your due date. The process mirrors initial credentialing. To avoid any lapse:
- Keep your CAQH profile attested every 120 days
- Notify Evernorth immediately of any license, address, or malpractice changes
- Respond to recredentialing requests by the deadline — non-response results in network termination
- Document any gaps in practice or name changes in CAQH before verification begins
Building a Complete Insurance Panel
Cigna/Evernorth is one piece of a full payer mix. Consider also credentialing with:
- Aetna — 90–120 days; uses CAQH; strong commercial and Medicaid presence
- UnitedHealthcare / Optum — largest commercial payer by enrollment
- Blue Cross Blue Shield — state-by-state; often the highest rates per CPT code
Our RCM and credentialing services team handles the entire process across all payers on your behalf.
Our credentialing team manages the entire Evernorth application — forms, CAQH maintenance, follow-up calls, and status tracking — so you can focus on your clients.
Email Us
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