If you have a Cigna Healthcare plan, therapy is very likely covered. The confusing part is often how much of each session you pay for and which therapists your plan will pay toward.
We put this guide together to make that easier to sort out. Below, we walk through what Cigna plans generally include, the kinds of therapists you will find in the network, and the questions that give you a clear answer before your first appointment.
Does Cigna Cover Therapy?
Generally, yes. Mental health and substance use services are one of the ten categories of essential health benefits that Marketplace plans must cover, which includes counseling and psychotherapy. Employer-sponsored Cigna plans typically carry similar behavioral health benefits, which are administered by Evernorth Behavioral Health.
What varies are the specifics. Your plan sets the network of providers, the cost sharing, and any approval requirements. Cigna points members to their plan documents and the number on their ID card for details that apply to their own coverage.
What Mental Health Services Does Cigna Cover?
Weekly outpatient therapy is the most common starting point, and behavioral health benefits usually cover more than that:
- Outpatient therapy. Sessions with a licensed behavioral health provider in person or by video.
- Consultations and referrals. Help identifying the right level of support and connecting to it.
- Psychiatric care. Evaluations and medication management for people considering medication alongside therapy.
- Higher levels of care. Intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, and inpatient care, which usually need approval in advance.
- Substance use support. Inpatient and outpatient options along with follow-up case management.
- Community connections. Referrals to local support groups, behavioral coaches, and online resources.
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How Much Does Therapy Cost With Cigna?
Covered still means you pay a share. These three terms explain most of what determines your out of pocket costs:
- Deductible. The amount you pay yourself each year before the plan starts paying. With a $1,500 deductible, you cover the first $1,500 of care.
- Copay. A flat charge per visit, such as $25 per session, that does not move with the therapist’s fee.
- Coinsurance. A percentage of the cost rather than a flat amount. At 20 percent coinsurance on a $150 session, you owe $30, and the plan covers $120.
Federal parity rules generally require plans to apply copays, deductibles, and coinsurance comparably to mental health and medical care in the same category. If your therapy visit costs far more than a primary care visit, that gap is worth raising with your plan.
What Types of Therapists Are in the Cigna Network?
The behavioral health network includes licensed therapists and prescribers with a range of training. The letters after a name may tell you something about how that therapist tends to work, but you should always ask them directly instead of assuming:
- LCSW, licensed clinical social worker. Psychotherapy training grounded in a person-in-environment view, which considers how relationships, community, and life circumstances shape mental health. What this means for you as a client: they often bring strong practical knowledge of local resources alongside the therapy itself.
- PhD or PsyD, psychologist. Doctoral-level training in psychotherapy and psychological assessment, shaped by research. What this means for you as a client: they can often go deeper in a specialty area and may offer formal testing when a clearer picture would help.
- LPC or LPCC, licensed professional counselor. Master’s-level counseling training with a practical, skills-based approach. What this means for you as a client: sessions often center on concrete tools for managing symptoms and working through current life challenges.
- LMFT, licensed marriage and family therapist. Training that views individual struggles through the lens of relationships and family systems. What this means for you as a client: they tend to look at how patterns between partners or family members impact what you are experiencing.
How Do I Check My Cigna Mental Health Benefits?
These steps can help you figure out exactly what your plan covers:
- Open your Summary of Benefits and Coverage and find the behavioral health or mental health row.
- Compare the outpatient in-network and out-of-network amounts.
- Call the number on your ID card and confirm what you pay for an in-network outpatient visit.
- Ask whether the care you are considering needs prior approval.
- Ask how much of your deductible you have already met this year.
You are entitled to this information. Plans generally must provide copies of the rules they use for coverage decisions within 30 days of a written request. If a claim is later denied, you usually have 180 days to file an internal appeal and can often request an outside review after that.
How Do I Find a Therapist Who Takes Cigna?
The provider directory in your member account shows who is in network, and the number on your ID card connects you to someone who can help you search. Fit with a therapist matters in addition to the logistics. A strong bond with your therapist is one of the most important predictors of whether therapy helps, so talking with two or three before deciding is a reasonable use of your time.
Other routes work well too. Your primary care provider can refer you, community organizations often keep local lists, and free tools such as Mental Health Match can narrow things down. You answer a few questions about what you are looking for, and we introduce you to therapists who fit. Confirm network status with the therapist’s office before your first session either way.
| Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to a qualified healthcare professional about any medical concerns. If you are in crisis, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. |
